Qualifications
The Health and Social Care training specialists
About the qualifications we offer
As an approved Qualifications Scotland centre, we deliver SVQs across Scotland that build knowledge, motivation and confidence to take practice to the next level.
Qualifications we offer
SVQs Social Services and Healthcare
SVQ 2 Social Services and Health Care
Level: 2
SCQF Level: 6
Full award: £1410
Single unit: £350
Who it’s for:
For candidates who are involved in practical hands-on care and/or support tasks and are usually supervised in their work, for example within a residential or day centre setting.
SVQ 3 Social Services and Health Care
Level: 3
SCQF Level: 7
Full award: £1795
Single unit: £350
Who it’s for:
For candidates who have some experience and autonomy and work unsupervised for some of their activities. For example, housing support, care at home services, key worker roles.
SVQ 4 Social Services and Health Care
Level: 4
SCQF Level: 9
Full award: £1925
Single unit: £350
Who it’s for:
For candidates who are working in posts with management and/or supervisory responsibilities. For example, supervisors, team leaders, managers.
SVQs Social Services (Children and Young People)
SVQ 2 Social Services (Children and Young People)
Level: 2
SCQF Level: 6
Full award: £1410
Single unit: £350
Who it’s for:
For candidates who are involved in practical hands-on care and/or support tasks and are usually supervised in their work, for example within a residential or day centre setting.
SVQ 3 Social Services (Children and Young People)
Level: 3
SCQF Level: 7
Full award: £1795
Single unit: £350
Who it’s for:
For candidates who already have some experience and be able to work without direct supervision, and to take some responsibility for Care Planning for and with individuals receiving care.
SVQ 4 Social Services (Children and Young People)
Level: 4
SCQF Level: 9
Full award: £1925
Single unit: £350
Who it’s for:
For candidates working in posts with management and/or supervisory responsibilities.
SVQ in Integrated Health and Social Care
SVQ 3 in Integrated Health and Social Care
Level: 3
SCQF Level: 7
Full award: £1795
Single unit: £350
Who it’s for:
For candidates working in integrated health and social care services or settings such as a Healthcare Support Worker. Candidates should have some experience and autonomy and be able to work unsupervised for some of their activities. For example in a health centre, a registered care home or similar.
SVQ in Care Services Leadership and Management
SVQ 4 Care Services Leadership and Management
Level: 4
SCQF Level: 10
Full award: £2570
Single unit: £365
Who it’s for:
For candidates working in posts with management and/or supervisory responsibilities.
SVQs in Learning and Development
L&D11 (Internal Verifiers Award)
Level: 3
SCQF Level: 8
Full award: £1185
Single unit: N/A
Who it’s for:
For those monitoring assessment processes and decisions within an organisation and helping to maintain and improve the quality of workplace assessment.
Content:
You must demonstrate competence in carrying out the monitoring activities as defined in your organisation’s quality assurance procedures and in accordance with appropriate external quality assurance requirements.
L&D9DI (Assessors Award)
Level: 3
SCQF Level: 8
Full award: £1100
Single unit: N/A
Who it’s for:
For those who assess workplace competence, for example, the assessment of learners undertaking regulated vocational qualifications such as SVQs (or individual units), other workplace qualifications or in-house company standards.
Content:
You must assess the competence of two candidates on two occasions in your place of work.
Learning and Development
Level: 3
SCQF Level: 8
Full award: £1795
Single unit: £350
Who it’s for:
Is suitable for trainers, facilitators, mentors, tutors, coaches, instructors or anyone with a training responsibility in addition to their main job.
Content:
Includes a wide choice of optional units which allow candidates to develop planning, design, delivery, assessment and evaluation skills.
Learning and Development
Level: 4
SCQF Level: 9
Full award: £1925
Single unit: £350
Who it’s for:
Is aimed at senior trainers, or training co-ordinators/managers who plan, deliver and evaluate programmes and/or have some management responsibility for others.
Content:
Includes a wide choice of optional units which allow candidates to develop planning, design, delivery, assessment and evaluation skills.
Other mandatory qualifications
Professional Development Award in Health & Social Care Supervision
SCQF Level: 7
Cost (per person): £400
Who it’s for:
For those with direct supervisory responsibilities within the care provision.
Content:
You will learn what is expected of you as a supervisor in a social care setting and develop professional competence to effectively deliver supervision in your daily practice.
Delegates are required to submit an assignment to achieve the award. On completion of this course, you will meet the Scottish Social Services regulatory requirements as a supervisor.
Format:
Delivered over 3 consecutive days online.
Cost per person £400.00.
This course can be delivered bespoke to your Organisation. Contact us for further information.
Proud to be members of The Scottish Training Federation.
FAQs
What is an SVQ?
Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) are a type of professional qualification that do not involve tests or exams. SVQs are qualifications that you do in the workplace.
Basically, you work with someone called an Assessor who helps you pull together a portfolio of evidence based on the work that you do on a day-to-day basis.
This portfolio is made up of two parts. What you do (called performance criteria), and what you know (knowledge and understanding). It is easy to think of this as what you do and why you do it.
The Assessor supports you to measure what you do and what you know against a set of standards. This is called ‘being assessed’.
We will make sure you are doing the right qualification for the role you are doing. This helps you meet the registration requirements of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) for the role you undertake.
You will not be expected to do or know anything that is not already a part of the job that you do.
How do I get started?
Pick up the phone or email our team and have any questions you might have answered. You will be sent an application form and can advise of your preferred funding route. Once we receive your completed application form and your funding arrangements are finalised, you will get allocated to a qualified Assessor, who is a subject specialist from ARC Scotland.
We do not have set intakes of candidates, so start dates will be negotiated with you to fit in with your work commitments. Your Assessor will help you to enrol on your qualification and will explain the assessment process. This will cover who is involved in the process, and what forms part of the process. You will get plenty of time to ask questions and have these answered.
It would be a good idea if you note down any questions, concerns or worries you have before you come to the induction session. This will help you remember what to ask the Assessor so they can answer your queries or address any concerns you have.
What if I have additional support needs?
As part of your induction, you will be asked to identify if you have any additional support needs. Our Assessors are specialists in supporting people with different learning approaches to enable them to achieve their qualifications. Where reasonable adjustments and accommodations are required, individualised assessment approaches will be implemented to help you achieve the award.
How often will I meet my Assessor?
During your induction, your Assessor will introduce you to your portfolio. It will either be an e-portfolio, or a paper portfolio. You will be shown how to gather evidence and put it into your portfolio. You will be given all the guidance you need and a date for your next meeting with the Assessor. Your Assessor will also give you their contact details and let you know how often they will expect contact.
Everyone is different. Your Assessor will work with you to ensure arrangements suit your needs. It is their job to help you achieve the award. They are very skilled in helping people achieve their qualifications.
How much time am I expected to spend on my SVQ?
Your Assessor will discuss this with you. Usually, a couple of hours working in your own time per week is a realistic expectation. This is in addition to the day-to-day tasks that make up your job description. Everything you do can be used as evidence.
What kind of things will I do?
You will find out about laws, guidance documents or policies and procedures you need to follow in your job and writing about how you apply these.
You will write about what you do and why you do it – this is called reflective writing.
You will be observed whilst you undertake your day-to-day role – your Assessor will guide you.
You will get copies of records you have completed, making sure there is no information about the individuals you work alongside and then put these in your portfolio.
You will have professional discussions with your Assessor.
You will answer questions your Assessor might have for you.
Your Assessor is highly skilled at helping you identify different evidence you can provide to meet the requirements of the qualification. They will guide you in a way that makes sense for you.
How long does it take to complete an SVQ award?
It depends on the qualification. An average timescale to achieve an award at SVQ 2 (SCQF 6) is 6-9 months, for SVQ 3 (SCQF 7) it usually takes about 9-12 months. For SVQ 4 (SCQF 9) usually 12 months will suffice. For SVQ 4 (SCQF 10), 18 months is allocated.
Your Assessor will work with you to achieve the award based on your needs and circumstances, and how much work you put into the process. Aim for these average times and see how things go.
Your Assessor will provide monthly updates on your progress to your line manager. We do understand that life happens, and this means the best-laid plans might not work out. Make sure you share with your Assessor and line manager anything that affects your progress on your SVQ. We will work together to help you maintain momentum to progress and stay motivated throughout your award.
Is it acceptable to handwrite the work produced as evidence or do I have to type?
Use of an e-portfolio is our preference as it is easier to add to or change typed work than hand-written work. We assess each candidate to decide which portfolio would best suit their needs. For some individuals, a paper portfolio might be a better preference.
If using a paper portfolio, hand-written work is acceptable if it is legible. Please discuss your requirements with your Assessor.
How many times will I be observed in the workplace?
Workplace observation is a mandatory source of evidence, required by the awarding body, Qualifications Scotland. Your Assessor will discuss and plan any observations to cover the requirements of the qualification.
A minimum of two observations is usually carried out holistically to meet the requirements of Qualifications Scotland. Your Assessor will let you know what is required.
Where observations would cause distress to individuals or their families, alternative opportunities will be arranged to ensure your practice can be observed to meet the requirements of the award. This could include seeking witness testimony expert witness from your supporting organisation.
What funding is available?
SVQs can be paid for by your employer. We work with organisations who administer funding through the Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF), or who fund awards directly.
You can also fund your own qualification (provided your organisation agrees to you gathering evidence within your workplace). We may accept a deposit and offer you the option of paying for your award by instalments.
You could also apply for a grant towards the cost of your qualification (for SVQ 3 and above) – if you are eligible. More info can be found here: https://www.saas.gov.uk/part-time/undergraduate-funding
Speak to a member of our team who will ethically signpost you to the best option available for your circumstances.
Do you deliver Modern Apprenticeships?
Not currently. We do not currently have a Skills Development Scotland contract to deliver Modern Apprenticeships at the moment.
We are, however, a delivery partner for a local authority, supporting them to fulfil their Modern Apprenticeship contract within the Social Services and Healthcare framework.
We are approved by Qualifications Scotland to deliver core skills Numeracy and ICT at SCQF level 4 and 5.
We hope to secure a contract with Skills Development Scotland to deliver Modern Apprenticeships in the future. Watch this space!
If you need further help or have more questions, please contact us.
‘People’s lives have improved because they receive better support, feel more confident, and are able to make informed choices. The knowledge gained has helped me provide better care and assistance’.