1. Where can I find information on funding for learning and training?

England: Your local Learning and Skills Council

www.lsc.gov.uk

Wales: Department of Children, Education, Life Long Learning and Skills (Welsh Assembly Government)

www.wales.gov.uk

Northern Ireland: Department of Education & Learning Northern Ireland

www.delni.gov.uk

Scotland: Learn Direct Scotland

www.learndirectscotland.com

2. Where can I find further information relating to National Occupational Standards and skills?

The National Occupational Standards (NOS) and skills and knowledge sets are owned and maintained by the relevant Sector Skills Councils. These can be located at the following websites:

Skills for Care and Development: http://www.skillsforcareanddevelopment.org.uk/

Children’s Workforce Development Council: http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/

Skills for Care: http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/

1. Do I have to register for the Adult pathway or the Children and Young People pathway at the beginning, or can I decide afterwards?

The decision has to be made before, or at the time of, registration. The nature of the N/SVQ candidate’s job role will determine the sources of evidence they are likely to use, and therefore the most suitable pathway and option units to follow. 

2. How will I know which units cannot be combined?

The qualification guidance will show the structures and excluded combinations for N/SVQ achievement and eligibility for certification. The descriptions of the units themselves also indicate which other(s) they cannot be combined with, where appropriate.

3. Why are there additional units?

To provide opportunities for professional development and units to meet employers’ needs for specific job roles.

4. Can I use additional units instead of optional units to achieve a full qualification?

No. Additional units are to be used only as described in question 3. Centres should check the registration requirements of the country in which they operate when advising candidates.

5. Can I use units from a different level to achieve my N/SVQ?

No. Units from a different level can be used towards CPD activity; however, to achieve a full N/SVQ, all units need to come from within that qualification structure.

6. What range of assessment methods can be used?

There are suggestions for a range of appropriate methods that can be used within the evidence requirements for each unit. These are not exhaustive.

7. How do we record the scope?

The scope is the context in which the assessment is undertaken; it provides ideas of what to look for, not requirements.  It should be used as part of the assessment planning process, and acknowledgment needs to be given when it is used. 

8. I have completed my N/SVQ on the ‘Adults’ pathway and now have a post which requires the Children and Young people pathway. Will I be able to use any of this evidence for the new pathway?

Some units can be directly transferred between the pathways because they are identical. The context-specific unit(s) and any other units selected will then need to be evidenced. Your assessor can apply the rules of Recognition of Prior Learning to assess any existing evidence which may be of value, and then plan to cover any evidence gaps through the application of the required assessment method(s).

9. HSC 386 - Assist in the transport of individuals between agencies and services

In the knowledge specifications there is a sub-heading, ‘Working within the substance misuse sector’. Can this unit be undertaken by candidates working in contexts other than substance misuse?

Yes. In such cases, the sub-heading title may be ignored and knowledge statements 3 and 4 should be evidenced from the context in which the candidate operates. 

10. HSC 3108 - Facilitate learning through presentations and activities

The knowledge requirements from knowledge numbers 34 to 51 are preceded by the statement: 'If you are carrying out this function in a substance misuse context, you will require the following knowledge …' Is this additional demand correct?
 

This matter has been referred to Skills for Care and Development, which has provided interim guidance that candidates do not have to cover these additional knowledge specifications, whatever their work context.

1. I have only worked in Children’s Services; can I assess a candidate working with adults?

No. The Assessment Strategy is very clear. Assessors must be occupationally competent in the units they are assessing, and therefore the context of the service in which they operate is a significant factor.

2. I have experience in Care Management but no qualifications. I am an A1 qualified assessor and a V1 qualified internal verifier. Can I internally verify the LMCS?

Yes. The assessment strategy requires internal verifiers to have working knowledge of management within health and social care settings, the regulation, legislation and codes of practice for the service (where applicable), and the requirements of national standards at the time any assessment is taking place.

3. What is meant by 'occupationally competent' with regard to the requirements for IV in the LMCS Assessment Strategy?

An IV with experience as a practitioner, manager or trainer gained within the context of health and social care will be considered as occupationally competent to undertake this role. 

4. What are the observation requirements for the LMCS units?

The requirements are recorded within the body of the evidence requirements which will be replicated in each awarding body’s qualification guidance. Competent performance will be evidenced from candidates’ real work practice, some of which must be observed. Sufficient observations, combined with other types of evidence across the N/SVQ, should be planned to allow the assessor to make a safe judgement of candidate competence. 

1. What is the transferability of Level 3 N/SVQs in Health and Social Care to the Health N/SVQs?

Complete units can be transferred if they have the same S/QCA accreditation number. The core units, where appropriate, and evidence can be transferred or mapped through Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL), if the S/QCA number is different.

2. Level 3 EUSC1 – Take a presenting history from an individual to inform assessment

Level 3 EUSC2 - Obtain supporting information to inform the assessment of an individual

The standards for the above two units make reference to gaining informed consent from individuals who are unable to give consent on their own behalf. References can be found in the performance criteria and key words and concepts. Does this now conflict with the practice requirements embedded in the Mental Capacity Act of 2005 and thereby encourage candidates to produce evidence based on inappropriate activity?

Yes. The Mental Capacity Act (2005), which acquired royal assent in 2007, identifies that no one can give consent on behalf of another adult unless the carer/family member/significant other has lasting power of attorney which has been registered with the Office of the Public Guardian, or the patient has been appointed a Court Appointed Deputy by the Court of Protection. Therefore, terminology embedded in the standards which suggests this is not the case should be ignored.

Assessors and verifiers should be made aware of this anomaly, which was created by the introduction of new legislation after the NOS were developed, and advise that an oral question regarding the legislation above would provide evidence of candidates’ knowledge of current legislation and its impact on practice.

1. What is the age range for CCLD?

0 -16, but evidence must come from the age range in which candidates are working. There is just one unit at each level (203, 303 and 403) that will require broad/general knowledge of child development across the whole age range, but competence will be assessed within the age range the candidate is working with.

2. I work with children. Which qualification should I do: CCLD or HSC (Children and Young People)?

It depends on the context of your job and the role and the regulatory requirement of your work. CCLD is normally associated with those who work in the provision of non-statutory childcare provision, for example, those working in day nurseries or as childminders. Health and Social Care (CYP pathway) is normally associated with those who work in the provision of statutory services for children, for example, those working in residential and fostering services.

You should also seek advice from your employer and look for updates/advice from the Sector Skills Council - Skills for Care and Development (see www.skillsforcareanddevelopment.org.uk) to ensure you register on the appropriate qualification.
 

3. I recently achieved the Certificate in Early Years Foundation Stage Practice. Can I use this towards the underpinning knowledge for my Level 3 CCLD?

Yes.  Under the rules of Recognition of Prior Learning, all relevant evidence from previous learning and / or achievement can be presented to an assessor for consideration.