National Qualifications in care are available at the following levels:
• Intermediate 1
• Intermediate 2
• Higher
The qualifications usually consist of three units. There is an exam for all levels at Intermediate 1 and above. Each of the units counts as a qualification in its own right.
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Scottish Qualifications AuthorityScottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) are competence-based qualifications assessed in the workplace and awarded by a nationally recognised awarding body such as SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) or City and Guilds. They are made up of Units derived from National Occupational Standards (NOS). SVQs assess skills, knowledge and values in relation to a specific job role or range of job roles.
The key SVQs for workers in care and support services are as follows:
SVQ2 Health and Social Care
SVQ3 Health and Social Care (Adults)
SVQ3 Health and Social Care (Children and Young People)
SVQ4 Health and Social Care (Adults)
SVQ4 Health and Social Care (Children and Young People)
SVQ4 Leadership and Management for Care Services
The following SVQs may also be relevant, depending on the service you work in:
SVQ2 Support Services in Health Care
SVQ3 Health (Allied Health Profession Support)
SVQ3 Health (Renal Support)
SVQ3 Health (Decontamination)
SVQ3 Community Justice (Offending Behaviour)
SVQ4 Community Justice (Offending Behaviour)
SVQ3 Community Justice (Victims, Survivors and Witnesses)
SVQ4 Community Justice (Victims, Survivors and Witnesses)
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Scottish Qualifications AuthorityHigher National courses provide both the practical skills needed to do a job and the theoretical knowledge employers expect. All courses are made up of Higher National Unit credits (one credit represents roughly 40 hours of timetabled learning).
HNCs are made up of 12 credits (96 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 7) and usually take one year to complete.
HNDs are made up of 30 credits (240 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 8) and usually take two years to complete.
The key HNC and HND Awards for care and support services are:
HNC Social Care (Practice assessed through completion of 3 SVQ units)
HND Social Services
The following HNC and HND Awards for may also be relevant for care and support services:
HNC Allied Health Professions (Several options)
HNC Health Care
HNC Occupationl Therapy Support
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Scottish Qualifications AuthoritySQA Professional Development Awards (PDAs) are designed to develop and deliver flexible qualifications that are applicable at all stages of career development. They are focused on professional/vocational, work-based or work-related skills development, and support Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
PDAs include:
Certificate in Care Services Management
Certificate in Supporting Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Certificate in Managing the Support of Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
PDA Health and Social Care Supervision
PDA Practice Learning (various levels)
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Scottish Qualifications AuthorityDegree or post-graduate diploma qualifications are usually delivered by Higher Education Institutions (universities) across Scotland. Diplomas may be available from Colleges, Universities or other approved organisations, including professional bodies.
Degree programmes normally take between 3 and 5 years to complete.
Post Graduate Certificates and Diplomas are set at SCQF level 11 and normally take between 1 and 2 years to complete.
Degree and Diploma subjects relevant to Social Services workers include:
• Social work
• Psychology
• Counselling
• Community education
• Community care
• Learning disability studies
• Nursing
• Health Care
• Management
Click here for more information about all degree courses in the UK
Click here for more information about learning and qualifications in Scotland
Click here to look at the SSSC booklet ‘A Career in Social Services’
Most qualifications available in Scotland are included in the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). This framework provides a tool for comparing qualifications by levelling them at one of 12 different levels, and by credit rating them. For example an HNC Social Care is at SCQF level 7 and has 96 credits and a Care Higher is at SCQF level 6 and has 24 credits. The SCQF is a useful tool in developing qualifications pathways, enabling workers to establish progression routes from one level to another.
Click here for more information about the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)
