Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) Qualifications

If you are an employer within the health and social care sector then you will want to know about these brand new qualifications.

They have been especially designed by and for those who work in the health and social care sectors. The qualifications enable learners to achieve occupational competence in the units they select and have been designed to be flexible to suit a range of different roles. Individual units or whole qualifications may also be used for continuing personal and professional development (CPD). These new qualifications replace the Health and Health and Social Care suite of NVQs.

The qualifications are on the QCF for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. As the qualifications are on the QCF they are also on the Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales (CQFW).

For additional background information about the QCF please visit the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA) website.

Like the NVQs, QCF qualifications are derived from National Occupational Standards (NOS) and have the support of Skills for Health and Skills for Care and Development. Achievement of these qualifications will demonstrate occupational competence in the NOS linked to the individual units chosen. QCF units differ from NVQ units because they contain learning outcomes instead of knowledge and performance criteria statements. Each unit is assigned a level and credit value which allows for easier transferability of learning. Individuals can gather credits as they complete individual units on the way towards full qualifications.

These qualifications will help individuals to progress to further qualifications within the Health and Social Care sectors related to their individual role.

What qualifications are available?

All qualifications can be viewed at the Register of Regulated Qualifications.

If you have any queries please contact the Skills Development Unit.

Each qualification has been designed specifically to meet the needs of the health sector and we have consulted with a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives from employing organisations, throughout development. Where relevant, we have also worked in partnership with other Sector Skills Councils and Professional and/or Regulatory Organisations. The qualifications are designed to be as flexible as possible. This is to help future-proof the qualifications and enable employers to meet their changing requirements for their workforce.

Rules of combination

Each qualification comes with its own rule of combination which sets out what the learner needs to undertake to achieve their qualification. A certain number of the units need to be at or above the level of the qualification. For example, to achieve the Level 2 certificate in Healthcare Support Services, learners would need to gain a total of 26 credits. To do this they must achieve 14 credits (5 units) from the mandatory section plus at least 12 credits from the optional units. At least 16 of the credits must be at or above level 2.

Are there any entry requirements?

The qualifications are suitable for a wide range of employees who work within the health and social care sector. Further details regarding entry requirements will be available from the Awarding Organisations with approval to offer the qualifications.

How is the qualification assessed?

The qualifications assess occupational competence and learners will need to have access to work-based experience or be employed within the sector. Assessment will usually take place whilst they are in their normal work role and will reflect the context they are working in. The qualifications must be assessed in line with Skills for Health QCF Assessment Principles.

Are there any learning materials available?
 

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