Common Induction Standards (CIS) refresh - Frequently Asked Questions
- Why have the Common Induction Standards (CIS) been refreshed?
- Who was involved in the refresh?
- What do the new standards look like?
- As there are eight standards instead of six will it take longer for new workers to move through the process?
- Why is dementia included in the Common Induction Standards (CIS) and not other specific diseases?
- Will learning disability qualifications continue to exist?
- Are the Common Induction Standards (CIS) going to be accredited? Is there going to be an Induction Award in the Qualifications and Credit Framework?
- Can evidence from Common Induction Standards (CIS) be used towards Health and Social Care Diploma (HSC)?
- When will the Common Induction Standards (CIS) be launched?
- When will the Common Induction Standards (CIS) be publicly available?
- Is there a transition period before the old Common Induction Standards (CIS) disappear? Can we still use the old standards and our old workbooks?
- Is there going to be a review of the new Common Induction Standards (CIS)?
- Will there be new guidance material to accompany the launch? Will it be available to download?
- Will there be any additional resources?
- Should we continue using older versions until the new ones come in place, even though there are only six objectives instead of eight?
- Will there be greater emphasis on skills for life issues?
- Why have the Common Induction Standards (CIS) been refreshed?
The Common Induction Standards (CIS) have been a huge success for Skills for Care. All the evidence shows that they are a valued resource for employer and managers as they seek to ensure their new staff are fit to begin their practice. However, the CIS are now almost five years old and given the ever changing scene within which we operate we would be failing in our duty if we did not take this opportunity to revisit the standards to ensure they still have currency in this new world.
- Who was involved in the refresh?
The project has been supported by a large reference group, drawn from members of Skills for Cares Standards, Qualification, Education and Training sub-committee and individuals from large and small organisations, with wide representation across the sector. In addition a public consultation process engaged over 150 paper responses from the web questionnaire and a number of regional and national workshops and seminars. Many of the paper questionnaires represented large group or organisational responses indicating a much larger number of individuals engaged in the process. A wide range of stakeholders responded including independent and statutory sector, large and small employers, training providers and larger sector bodies.
- What do the new standards look like?
The CIS were refreshed and aligned with the core and mandatory units of the new Diploma in Health and Social Care. Therefore there are eight new standards instead of six. In addition there was a request from Department of Health that a number of other areas be embedded as part of the induction process i.e. Dementia, Nutrition and Hydration, Common Core Principles to Support Self Care and End of Life Care.
- As there are eight standards instead of six will it take longer for new workers to move through the process?
This question was asked during the group consultation process and employers and training providers were agreed that the new standards would not take longer - they are just repackaged and ordered to offer greater clarity.
- Why is dementia included in the Common Induction Standards (CIS) and not other specific diseases?
The growing prevalence of dementia amongst all user groups and the likelihood that it is not only people in older age that develop dementia like symptoms needs to be addressed across the whole sector. This makes it different to other diseases. Evidence shows that early diagnosis and subsequent response is really important in dementia and therefore, it is vital that all who work in social care should be able to recognise early signs and symptoms and know how to respond. This is a clear response to the National Development Strategy.
- Will learning disability qualifications continue to exist?
The CIS should be contextualised for all services areas, including learning disability. The Learning Disability Qualification (LDQ - formerly LDAF) was developed because there was no specific learning disability pathway in the NVQ. However as there will now be a learning disability pathway in the Health and Social Care Diploma there will not be a requirement for the Learning Disability Qualification. Guidance will be produced for employers to assist with ensuring that induction is contextualised to ensure workers are given the appropriate skills and knowledge to practice.
- Are the Common Induction Standards (CIS) going to be accredited?
Is there going to be an Induction Award in the Qualifications and Credit Framework?
CIS have always been regarded as a workforce development tool for employers to use with those who are beginning their work in adult social care. The issue of accreditation is still to be considered. Though the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) offers the flexibility to develop a CIS qualification linked to core and mandatory units of the Health and Social Care Diploma, further work indicated that the time required to complete the qualification would take the learner past the 12 week CIS period. Employers were concerned that new starters would be unable to work alone until they had officially completed their induction qualification. This of course has serious resource implications for the sector. Once the CIS and QCF qualifications are embedded, Skills for Care will look at further ways to provide employers with close linkages.
- Can evidence from Common Induction Standards (CIS) be used towards Health and Social Care Diploma (HSC)?
Yes, if carried out effectively. The new standards mirror exactly the new mandatory and core units for the Health and Social Care diplomas so that if the CIS are done well, any evidence of the knowledge gained will be direct evidence that can be used towards the diploma. So there is an incentive for learners and employers to ensure that the CIS are delivered effectively as this will save time when moving on to the diploma.
- When will the Common Induction Standards (CIS) be launched?
It is hoped that the new CIS will be launched in June but this depends on guidance being updated to accompany the launch.
- When will the Common Induction Standards (CIS) be publicly available?
The revised standards will be available on the Skills for Care website from the launch onwards.
- Is there a transition period before the old Common Induction Standards (CIS) disappear? Can we still use the old standards and our old workbooks?
Yes. There will be a transition period of 12 months to move from the old standards to the new before the old standards are removed.
- Is there going to be a review of the new Common Induction Standards (CIS)?
Yes. There will be a review of the implementation of the new standards 12 months after the launch to review any issues.
- Will there be new guidance material to accompany the launch? Will it be available to download?
Yes. The current online guidance will be updated to reflect the new Common Induction Standards. There will be guidance material for learners, employers and training providers that will be available to download.
- Will there be any additional resources?
It is planned that there will be an additional resource to assist with the gathering of detailed evidence, which can then be used towards the Health and Social Care diplomas. In addition we are planning a resource to demonstrate the value of Common Induction Standards for personal assistants and people employing their own staff.
- Should we continue using older versions until the new ones come in place, even though there are only six objectives instead of eight?
Yes. The old standards will not be out of date until 12 months after the launch of the new CIS.
- Will there be greater emphasis on skills for life issues?
There will be a large section in the workbooks offering advice and guidance about the importance of skills for life, the appropriate levels, areas of demonstration possible and links to resources and further advice.
