Adult social care qualifications  

Adult social care qualifications have been developed by Skills for Care in partnership with employers and awarding organisations to meet the needs of people who use services.

For more information on the benefits of qualifications click on the link below:
Benefits of qualifications

The qualifications provide a flexible' mix and match' approach to meeting the different development needs of the workforce. There is a wide range of units that reflect what workers should 'know' and 'do' that make up a number of different qualifications.

The qualifications are available in three categories:

• Entry qualifications
  for those new to the sector
• Occupational competence
  diplomas that can be used to demonstrate professional competence
• Continuing professional development
  awards and certificates that can be used to demonstrate knowledge or competence as well as CPD

There are three sizes of qualifications: award, certificate and diploma.

The type of qualification (award, certificate or diploma) reflects its size and not how difficult it is

In January 2011 NVQs and VRQs were replaced with these qualifications on the qualifications and credit framework (QCF).

Workers who have already undertaken relevant NVQs have got legitimate qualifications that demonstrate competency. These qualifications will continue to be recognised but they are not available for new registrations.

The OfQual database contains all qualifications and units written for the QCF for every sector. If you would like to search for units or qualifications for particular topic areas then please use the following link: http://register.ofqual.gov.uk/

Table of qualifications and Awarding Organisations - March 2013

Form to identify unit and qualification gaps

If you have identified any gaps in the units or qualifications where you think additions would be useful for the sector please complete the form below and return it to info@skillsforcare.org.uk

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Assessment principles

Skills for Care and Development, awarding organisations and Skills for Health have agreed a set of assessment principles.

The Sector Skills Council expects awarding organisations to exercise appropriate judgement in identifying individuals who are appropriately qualified to make assessment decisions.

To assess competence based learning organisations these individuals must:

• Be occupationally competent in the area they are assessing and
• Be competent in assessment.

To assess knowledge based learning organisations these individuals must:

• Be occupationally knowledgeable or occupationally competent.
• Be competent in assessment.

This approach will be evaluated by looking at outcomes in partnership with awarding organisations in the quality forum, and reviewed if necessary.