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Knowledge sets


Knowledge sets are sets of key learning outcomes for specific areas of work within adult social care. They were designed to improve consistency in the underpinning knowledge learnt by the adult social care workforce in England and are based on wide consultation across social care.


Most knowledge sets have now being integrated into the new qualifications for adult social care, allowing the learning to be accredited. Topics have been developed in units which collectively make up the new qualifications, and in the future additional topics will be developed as units rather than new knowledge sets. It is our intention that employers now align their training to the new units. Please click on the link below for more information on aligning your training to the new units.


Knowledge sets no longer exist where the subject is covered by a new unit. The remaining knowledge sets for which new units are still to be developed include:

Learning Disability Knowledge sets

In addition to these knowledge sets, there are nine specifically for learning disability services developed in 2008 and 2009. These were used to inform the development of new learning disability specific units and qualifications. It is our intention that employers now align their training to the new units, however the knowledge sets may still be useful to learners completing the previous qualifications. Click here for the Learning Disability Knowledge sets.

How to use knowledge sets

It was intended that the key learning outcomes within each knowledge set should be used by employers to develop in-house learning and by training providers, publishers and awarding bodies to produce learning programmes, resources (CD-ROMs, videos, workbooks) and, potentially, qualifications.


The key learning outcomes provide minimum standardised outcomes that employers may use either to produce their own in-house learning or learning packages or as a benchmark when buying in learning provision or learning packages.


These knowledge sets are designed to be used as part of a worker's continuing professional development. Their aim is to provide specific standardised knowledge and understanding to help social care workers undertake their role.


Employers can use knowledge sets to provide knowledge and understanding in particular subjects for their workers so that the service benefits from:

  • essential learning for specific tasks
  • enhanced worker practice
  • staff being supported to complete NVQ qualifications by a systematic approach to underpinning knowledge.


Social care workers can use knowledge sets to:

  • assist their development of new skills to open up career options and as part of their continuing professional development
  • improve self confidence
  • support transition between different service settings in the social care sector
  • ensure that they are working in accordance with current good practice.

 

Knowledge Set progress logs

In addition to the main knowledge set documents, there is also a 'progress log' edition of each knowledge set.

A progress log will be required for each individual worker/learner for each knowledge set.

Individuals should be enabled to keep copies of their progress logs showing their 'signed off' progress for their qualification portfolios.


Using knowledge sets

The knowledge sets are downloadable as Word documents (see sub-menu in section links on right hand side of this page) so that employers and trainers can easily copy from them into their own learning materials (see copyright notice on each document).