Skills for Health champions and demonstrates the benefits of an approach to workforce learning and development that is based on common currency of national workforce competences.
As the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for health across the four UK countries, we are responsible for health related Scottish and National Vocational Qualifications (S/NVQ) although in some areas these qualifications are the joint responsibility of and are jointly owned by Skills for Health and Skills for Care and Development.
What are S/NVQs?
S/NVQs are unitised, flexible qualifications which are developed to meet patient/client, individual, professional and organisational needs. The competences/National Occupational Standards (NOS) within the qualifications can also be used for continuous professional development (CPD) and career progression.
Comprising of a specific number of units of learning underpinned by the NOS/NVQs are characterised by their vocational nature where candidates are assessed on their ability to perform and demonstrate competence in the workplace.
There is no grading of S/NVQs. They are offered at levels 1-5 which reflect the achievement for the candidate and not related to pay bands or the career framework levels. They are also a component of an apprenticeship framework at levels 2 and 3.
Benefits of S/NVQs
For the:
Awarding Bodies
Successful candidates receive their S/NVQ from awarding bodies who approve and work alongside training providers, assessors and internal verifiers to ensure they reach the standard set out by Skills for Health.
These awarding bodies keep all information in relation to registered training and assessment centres which provide S/NVQs.
Endorsements and Extensions
Any organisation seeking an endorsement from Skills for Health for a particular qualification or award click here.
S/NVQs Available
There are many S/NVQs other than those indicated on this web page available to staff working within the health service, voluntary and independent health sector. Full listings on these can be found on the National Database of Accredited Qualifications
Skills for Health is responsible for:
S/NVQ Health
There are currently 20 named pathways, at levels 2 and 3, aimed at staff in the health sector undertaking various support /assistant roles.
The S/NVQ Health will be combined with the S/NVQ in Support Services during redevelopment. In Scotland a new SVQ will be developed, whilst in England, Wales and Northern Ireland a new qualification on the Qualifications and Credit framework will be created. Both qualifications will be based on the finding from the 2007 incremental review of the existing S/NVQs and are due for completion by December 2010.
The new qualifications will replace the existing S/NVQ in Support Services in Health Care and the S/NVQ in Health. In the interim, two new pathways are being developed within the existing NVQ for England, Wales and Northern Ireland for Pathology Support and Endoscopy Support. These pathways should be available by January 2009.
If you have any queries about any of th redevelopment please email.
For related documents for the current S/NVQ Health please click below.
S/NVQ Health Related Documents
S/NVQ Support Services
At level 2 the Support Services in Health Care qualification contains units relating to Portering, Housekeeping, Health Records and Patient Administration. This S/NVQ will be combined with the S/NVQ in health during redevelopment.
In Scotland a new SVQ will be developed whilst in England, Wales and Northern Ireland a new qualification on the Qualifications Credif framework will be created. Both pieces of work will be based on the finding from the 2007 incremental review of the existing S/NVQs and are due for completion by December 2010.
The new qualifications will replace the existing S/NVQ in Support Services in Health Care and the S/NVQ in Health. If you have any queries about the redevelopment please email.
For related documents for the current S/NVQ Suppoort Services please click below.
S/NVQ in Health & Social Care (joint responsibility and ownership with Skills for Care and Development)
S/NVQ Dental Nursing Related Documents
S/NVQ in Pharmacy
The project to review the existing Award at Levels 2 and 3 and create new qualifications is to be completed in the summer 2009, when the approval of the existing qualifications expires.
The work on developing the new qualifications at Level 2 & 3 and a revised technical certificate has received enthusiastic support from representatives across the pharmacy sector and the four countries. On approval of the final NOS and assessment strategy, work on writing the units and mapping them against the QCF/SVQ will commence, it is envisaged that this will begin early in the New Year. For related documents please click below.
S/NVQ in Pharmacy Related Documents
Want to Know More?
For further information on S/NVQs click here. Additional information can be found at www.nvqweb.com
Technical Certificates
All candidates needs to complete a Technical Certificate as part of the Apprenticeship Framework (Skills for Health provide the frameworks for Health, H&SC, Pharmacy and Dental Nursing).
The Technical Certificate forms the 'knowledge based' element of the Framework, it was introduced in 2001 and is awarded along with the NVQ Qualification and Key Skills. To read the FAQs on Key Skills for Apprenticeship Training Providers click here.
To read the Q&A on Development of a new Health Technical Certificate and Vocational Qualification - Working in the Health Sector click here.
We are continually looking at ways to improve on our S/NVQ competences, and other NOS that sit on our database, receive comments on award structures and assessment strategies and value your feedback. If you would like to comment please click here.
