The below information was sent, via email to all volunteers and staff across SSAFA, on 19 February 2026.
To: all volunteers, employees and trustees
Dear colleagues,
Focus: Professional recognition at SSAFA
Through our recent surveys, many of our volunteers shared that while the mission is the driving force, they want to feel that SSAFA is equally invested in them.
We have taken volunteer feedback seriously. Whether the role involves casework, community engagement, or specialist welfare services, we are committed to showing that volunteering at SSAFA is a professional, highly skilled contribution that deserves formal recognition.
Following the success of our Community Volunteering and Mentoring accreditations that have been available since 2021 and 2022, our Learning & Development (L&D) team is introducing a bespoke Level 3 Accreditation for caseworkers.
Why this matters for every SSAFA volunteer
Even if you aren’t a caseworker, this launch is a significant milestone for the organisation:
- Valuing professionalism: Caseworking requires high-level skills and experience. This is a way of putting a formal value on that expertise.
- Investing in volunteer development: By creating these pathways, we are committing to real investment in long-term development and personal growth for those who give their time to SSAFA.
- Strengthening our service: By accrediting our training, we ensure that every beneficiary receives the same high-quality, consistent support. This sits at the heart of our work and strengthens our standing across the entire sector.
- Demonstrating that the volunteer voice counts: This development shows that when the community speaks up about development and recognition, the organisation listens and acts.
Spotlight: The Level 3 Award in Caseworking
The Level 3 Award in Caseworking is a bespoke accreditation and an optional add‑on for volunteers who wish to gain formal recognition for their learning and development. It is designed specifically around the work our caseworkers already do, and is created to formally recognise:
- The complexity of modern casework
- The expert judgement involved
- The safeguarding and data responsibilities carried
- The skill required to present clear, evidence-based applications
It builds on existing training - it does not replace it.
Who can take part, and when?
To ensure the accreditation is introduced smoothly, we will offer it to new caseworkers from March 2026. Introducing it at the point of training allows us to embed the process and assessment approach from the outset and ensure the experience works well in practice before extending the option more widely.
Existing Caseworkers will be invited to opt in from June 2026. Further details on how to sign up will be shared nearer the time.
If you have questions about the accreditation, please contact the Learning & Development team at L&[email protected].
Where can I get more information?
The NDP Frequently Asked Questions document covers a range of topics addressing questions raised during and since the trials.
The Volunteer Knowledgebase is accessible to all volunteers and employees and contains detailed information on processes and procedures for all volunteer activities.
The Vision for Community Engagement in Branches document was developed following feedback from across the network and outlines the approach for increasing our reach, promoting understanding of our work, and building resilience.
NDP Information Hub on SSAFAnet and the NDP Information Hub on the Volunteer Knowledgebase both provide a variety of information on NDP – including caseworker and community engagement feedback videos, Town Hall presentations, transition guidance and copies of past updates in 2026 and in 2025. This includes the recent update on how messages are saved in GoAssemble.
If you have further questions, please contact the NDP Project team: [email protected].
Many thanks,
Kett McAfee, Welfare Operations Project Manager