National Occupational Standards

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National Occupational Standards (NOS) describe best practice by bringing together skills, knowledge and values.

They are valuable tools as benchmarks for qualifications as well as for defining roles at work, staff recruitment, supervision and appraisal.

To find out more about using NOS to help manage the provision of care, please download the Manager's guide to developing strategic uses of National Occupational Standards.

Manager's guide to developing strategic uses of National Occupational Standards

Health and social care standards

The Health and Social Care (HSC) NOS are important standards for social care workers and health care workers in all parts of the UK.

There over 200 separate NOS that can be put together to cover all sorts of job roles at different levels of responsibility.

You can search and view the standards on the National Occupational Standards database.

National Occupational Standards database

NOS have a link to qualifications in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have developed all of their qualifications with direct use of the NOS.

A small number of new NOS have been introduced because of new developments in the sector.

Inspectors

These standards are for inspectors of health and social care services across adults, children's and young people's services in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

View the Inspectors National Occupational Standards.