Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA)

Click here to view the CiLCA pathway.

1. Are you ready to start?
   Complete the CiLCA Training Needs Analysis to find out.
2. Introduction to CiLCA session
   This webinar will help you understand the requirements of the qualification and what is expected of you as a CiLCA candidate.
   SLCC cost: members £50 + VAT, non-members £75 + VAT
3. Begin your training
   Ascentis, the awarding body, recommends that you attend training to assist you in completing your qualification. Whether this is via your County Association or SLCC, the aim of the training is to help you to build your portfolio by understanding the evidence required for the CiLCA qualification. We recommend that you book onto and attend at least one of the training sessions before enrolling for your qualification. Contact your County Association in the first instance. Click here to view the available dates offered by your County Association. Alternatively, attend the SLCC Building your CiLCA portfolio course which comprises of six 2-hour webinar sessions once a month, working through the portfolio guide units consecutively.
4. Enrol on CiLCA
   See the ‘CiLCA Qualification’ information below.

Please note that the cost for the CiLCA Portfolio training course is separate to the qualification. Students must register for the CiLCA qualification separately.

By attending training with a CiLCA recognised trainer a student will benefit from:

• Tuition and guidance from an experienced and well-qualified local council practitioner
• Up to date information on changes in legislation and best practice
• Understanding of requirements for CiLCA and support with effective portfolio-building

Recognised CiLCA Trainers are:

• Reviewed annually
• CiLCA or Level 4 Cert HE in Community Governance Qualified
• Working/Employed in the Local Council Sector
• Endorsed by both the CALC & SLCC, approved by the Improvement Development Board and quality assured by Ascentis, the awarding body
• Covered by an annual service level agreement in accordance with Ascentis, CiLCA’s national awarding body

When booking your CiLCA training session look out for the CiLCA recognised trainer logo.

Click here to view the CiLCA Recognised Trainer list.

Study CiLCA and learn the tools to:

• Make confident, informative decisions for your council and your community
• Adapt to changing circumstances
• Set a vision for the future for your council and your community
• Advise and support the council as it identifies and implements plans for the future
• Advise the council on its duties and powers
• Ensure your council is compliant with proper financial practices

Councillors and officers of advisory bodies have taken CiLCA in the past. CiLCA is flexible to suit a range of candidates, however, it does require candidates to have documents from a local council that can be annotated.

There is a wide range of policies available for those undertaking their CiLCA qualification, and for CiLCA trainers too. Please click here to view the list of policies available.

You can apply for the qualification at the bottom of this webpage.

The 2025 intake dates remaining for this qualification:
2 June 2025
1 August 2025

These cover the breadth of work undertaken by local councils. You will be required to submit documents, reports, and explanations to demonstrate that your knowledge and understanding is of an acceptable standard.

You can choose to submit your portfolio in English or Welsh language.

You will need to demonstrate that you have met the assessment criteria by submitting your body of work in an ePortfolio.

CiLCA is £450 (non-vatable)*

The cost for the qualification is in addition to the cost for training. 

All prospective CiLCA candidates will be registered via SLCC on the e-portfolio system called ‘EMMA’ in bi-monthly intakes.

Please note that the cost for the qualification is separate from the CiLCA Portfolio training course. Students must register for the CiLCA Portfolio training separately.

Are you an SLCC member or a clerk in Wales? You could be eligible for a bursary.
Click here to find out more.

Details of suggested resources and publications to help you in your studies, as well as further costs that are not included in the tuition fee, can be found here, CiLCA – Additional Costs.

If you are paying by BACS, payments can take between five and ten working days to process, and longer if paying by cheque.

Your CiLCA qualification will show as ‘Pending’ on your SLCC account until the intake date, even if the payment is made well in advance. Your start and end date will be updated and you will have a full 12 months from the start date to complete your qualification. If payment is not received by the intake date, you will not be registered with the Ascentis and EMMA e-Portfolio site until the following intake (bi-monthly).

*Fees usually increase annually

For further queries please email [email protected]