We help people who do a great job do it better

2. This Presentation Why new qualifications? What we have done What we are doing Next steps

3. Why new qualifications? This presentation refers to Adult Social Care in England All vocational qualifications are changing as a response to the changing landscape of health and social care To meet the knowledge and skills requirements of employers Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland Includes all vocational qualifications across all sectors Replacement to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) i.e. NVQs As a sector we have been faced with a number of challenges and changes including: To clarify and simplify and to give workers the skills and knowledge that workers require The needs of people who use services are changing - people are living longer The ways in which services are configured has changed - adult social care works with people who would have been cared for by the NHS in the past. New Types of Working (NToW) highlights the varied way that services are structured to meet the needs of people who use services from the individual who employs their own workers to multi-national employers. Changes to the requirements for registration and regulation – there are plans to register the adult social care workforce and there have been changes to the ways services are regulated. The development of the personalisation agenda means there are new skills and knowledge requirements We know there are a wide range of retention issues and many employers find it difficult to recruit workers. There are also a wide range of Skills for Life issues and many workers have English as their second language. Across England, Wales and Northern Ireland Includes all vocational qualifications across all sectors Replacement to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) i.e. NVQs As a sector we have been faced with a number of challenges and changes including: To clarify and simplify and to give workers the skills and knowledge that workers require The needs of people who use services are changing - people are living longer The ways in which services are configured has changed - adult social care works with people who would have been cared for by the NHS in the past. New Types of Working (NToW) highlights the varied way that services are structured to meet the needs of people who use services from the individual who employs their own workers to multi-national employers. Changes to the requirements for registration and regulation – there are plans to register the adult social care workforce and there have been changes to the ways services are regulated. The development of the personalisation agenda means there are new skills and knowledge requirements We know there are a wide range of retention issues and many employers find it difficult to recruit workers. There are also a wide range of Skills for Life issues and many workers have English as their second language.

4. This is the QCF – it aims to be simple. flexible, less bureaucratic, inclusive and responsive. Future qualifications will only be called an Award, Certificate or Diploma - the title will depend solely on the size of the qualification. For example - an Award can be from 1 to 12 credits. One credit equals 10 notional learning hours. (see next slide) As well as the three sorts of qualification there will be nine different levels - from ‘entry’ to level 8. Entry and level 1 are called the ‘Foundation Learning Tier’ and level 8 equates to post graduate work. In adult social care we currently only have vocational qualifications at levels 2, 3 and 4 - this may change as the QCF develops. Credit can be accumulated for larger qualifications through the completion of smaller qualifications or units. I credit = 10 ‘notional’ learning hours Notional learning hours includes….mentoring, supervision, observation, visual learning, classroom, work based etc It does not mean ‘bums on a seat’ in a training room!This is the QCF – it aims to be simple. flexible, less bureaucratic, inclusive and responsive. Future qualifications will only be called an Award, Certificate or Diploma - the title will depend solely on the size of the qualification. For example - an Award can be from 1 to 12 credits. One credit equals 10 notional learning hours. (see next slide) As well as the three sorts of qualification there will be nine different levels - from ‘entry’ to level 8. Entry and level 1 are called the ‘Foundation Learning Tier’ and level 8 equates to post graduate work. In adult social care we currently only have vocational qualifications at levels 2, 3 and 4 - this may change as the QCF develops. Credit can be accumulated for larger qualifications through the completion of smaller qualifications or units. I credit = 10 ‘notional’ learning hours Notional learning hours includes….mentoring, supervision, observation, visual learning, classroom, work based etc It does not mean ‘bums on a seat’ in a training room!

5. What we have done! The QCF Development Programme The current Health and Social Care (HSC) NVQs level 2 & 3 will be replaced by HSC Diplomas at Level 2 & 3 The current leadership & management in care service and the HSC NVQ level 4 will become a hybrid qualification at level 5 Skills for Care and Development have set up a programme for the development of new QCF qualifications, in partnership with SfC, CWDC, NISCC and CCW. Scotland already have a credit framework and are therefore not developing qualifications for the QCF, however, we are working closely with Scotland to ensure the new qualifications are broadly aligned to SVQ’s to allow for transfer. The current fit for purpose qualification - Health and Social Care NVQs - are to be replaced with Health and Social Care (HSC) Diplomas at Levels 2 and 3. The current Leadership and Management for Care Services NVQ at level 4 will be replaced by a hybrid qualification at level 5 combining the HSC at L4 with the LMCS at L4. The difference in levels reflects differences between the current NQF levels and the QCF levels. L4 on the NQF equates to L5 on the QCF. Skills for Care and Development have set up a programme for the development of new QCF qualifications, in partnership with SfC, CWDC, NISCC and CCW. Scotland already have a credit framework and are therefore not developing qualifications for the QCF, however, we are working closely with Scotland to ensure the new qualifications are broadly aligned to SVQ’s to allow for transfer. The current fit for purpose qualification - Health and Social Care NVQs - are to be replaced with Health and Social Care (HSC) Diplomas at Levels 2 and 3. The current Leadership and Management for Care Services NVQ at level 4 will be replaced by a hybrid qualification at level 5 combining the HSC at L4 with the LMCS at L4. The difference in levels reflects differences between the current NQF levels and the QCF levels. L4 on the NQF equates to L5 on the QCF.

6. What we have done ! Evolving QCF Several changes have occurred during the development process: Skills Funding Agency have extended funding until end of 2010 HSC diploma level 2 & 3 will go live in Jan 2011 The HSC Diploma will go live in January 2011 in order to give Awarding Organisations and Training Providers sufficient time to develop good quality materials. It was initially thought that we would be able to adopt the full flexibility of the QCF by allowing learners to bring in units from other areas e.g health and beauty, horticulture, engineering. However the systems of the Awarding Organisations determine that they must list every available optional unit for each of the qualifications they upload to their systems. Skills for Care has worked very hard to push the flexibilities of the new qualifications system to enable learners to carry out units to reflect their job roles very specifically. Though at this stage it has not been possible, we will continue to work with the awarding organisations to explore options for further development. The HSC Diploma will go live in January 2011 in order to give Awarding Organisations and Training Providers sufficient time to develop good quality materials. It was initially thought that we would be able to adopt the full flexibility of the QCF by allowing learners to bring in units from other areas e.g health and beauty, horticulture, engineering. However the systems of the Awarding Organisations determine that they must list every available optional unit for each of the qualifications they upload to their systems. Skills for Care has worked very hard to push the flexibilities of the new qualifications system to enable learners to carry out units to reflect their job roles very specifically. Though at this stage it has not been possible, we will continue to work with the awarding organisations to explore options for further development.

7. What we have done! Other work To support the HSC Diplomas several other qualifications have been identified Units from these may be used as optional units within the HSC Diplomas Units may also be used within smaller specialist qualifications as the QCF develops Units will allow learners to develop learning in bite sized chunks and reflect business need We wanted to maximise on the flexibilities of the QCF and take up the opportunity to reduce duplication of learning. A number of qualification work streams have been identified allowing for interdependencies between units – this means that once a learner has achieved a unit as part of one qualification, if they progress to another qualification with the same unit included they do not have to take it again and repeat learning. Units can be taken as part of a number of qualifications through rules of combination. We wanted to maximise on the flexibilities of the QCF and take up the opportunity to reduce duplication of learning. A number of qualification work streams have been identified allowing for interdependencies between units – this means that once a learner has achieved a unit as part of one qualification, if they progress to another qualification with the same unit included they do not have to take it again and repeat learning. Units can be taken as part of a number of qualifications through rules of combination.

8. Structure – Level 2/3 HSC Diploma Level 2 & 3 HSC Diploma: Group A units are common across England Adults and Children, Northern Ireland and Wales. There are 9 mandatory across both levels 2 & 3 Group B is made up of knowledge only units that offer the learner the opportunity to undertake units that form either a generic or specialist learning disabilities or dementia pathway. There is a choice of units within the rules of combination and these are stipulated in order to achieve the appropriate pathway Group C provides the learner the opportunity to take a variety of competence units that reflect their job role. This includes a range of both specialist and generic units. Level 2 & 3 HSC Diploma: Group A units are common across England Adults and Children, Northern Ireland and Wales. There are 9 mandatory across both levels 2 & 3 Group B is made up of knowledge only units that offer the learner the opportunity to undertake units that form either a generic or specialist learning disabilities or dementia pathway. There is a choice of units within the rules of combination and these are stipulated in order to achieve the appropriate pathway Group C provides the learner the opportunity to take a variety of competence units that reflect their job role. This includes a range of both specialist and generic units.

9. Level 2 and 3 HSC Diploma Mandatory Units The mandatory units are to be completed by ALL learners within the workforce regardless of sector or country –I.e across Northern Ireland, Wales and England. Some of these are also common to the Children’s workforce in these countries at level 3 The units around safeguarding and the role of the H&S worker have only been developed at L2 for use also at L3. The mandatory units are to be completed by ALL learners within the workforce regardless of sector or country –I.e across Northern Ireland, Wales and England. Some of these are also common to the Children’s workforce in these countries at level 3 The units around safeguarding and the role of the H&S worker have only been developed at L2 for use also at L3.

10. In Summary… Level 2 HSC Diploma: Total credits for HSC Diploma 2 = 46 credits or more Credits from Group A = 24 credits Combined credits from Groups B and C must total at least 22 credits

11. The replacement for the NVQ LMCS and HSC L4 qualifications will be combined to offer a hybrid qualification. Feedback from the sector has highlighted frustration in repeating learning when undertaking the current 2 separate qualifications. For the first time we will have a shared qualification between England Adults and Children, Wales and Northern Ireland. The new hybrid qualification will have the same mandatory units (A) across what used to be 2 separate qualifications. There is an opportunity to then undertake a choice of 6 pathways (listed above – HSC Practitioner refers to the old L4 NVQ. The titles of these pathways are still to be confirmed). This offers learners a clear route of progression from L4 HSC to LMCS. The difference in levels reflects differences between the current NQF levels and the QCF levels. L4 on the NQF equates to L5 on the QCF. The replacement for the NVQ LMCS and HSC L4 qualifications will be combined to offer a hybrid qualification. Feedback from the sector has highlighted frustration in repeating learning when undertaking the current 2 separate qualifications. For the first time we will have a shared qualification between England Adults and Children, Wales and Northern Ireland. The new hybrid qualification will have the same mandatory units (A) across what used to be 2 separate qualifications. There is an opportunity to then undertake a choice of 6 pathways (listed above – HSC Practitioner refers to the old L4 NVQ. The titles of these pathways are still to be confirmed). This offers learners a clear route of progression from L4 HSC to LMCS. The difference in levels reflects differences between the current NQF levels and the QCF levels. L4 on the NQF equates to L5 on the QCF.

12. HSC Suite of Units/Qualifications Update: Specialist units within the HSC diploma: Sensory services Physical disabilities Mental Health Specialist units/qualifications Certificate in Supporting individuals with Learning Disabilities – level 2 & 3 Dementia – level 2 & 3 awards and certificates Assisting and moving individuals - level 2 & 3 award Activities Organiser - level 2 & 3 awards and level 3 certificate Preparing for work in the care sector - level 2 & 3 Commissioning, Procurement and Contracting in Care Services - level 3, 5 & 7 diploma There are a number of qualifications being developed alongside the Diplomas at level 2 and 3. We are working closely with colleagues in Health and in partner countries to develop these qualifications. LD- units have been developed for use within the HSC diploma and separate certificates at level 2 &3 for CPD. The LDQ will not exist in its current format. There will be a learning disabilities pathway through the HSC Diploma which will provide contextualised LD specific learning. Learners can also undertake specialist smaller learning disabilities qualifications for continuing professional development. Dementia units have been developed for use within the HSC diploma. There will be opportunity to undertake knowledge only awards at level 2 & 3 for learners who wish to learn about dementia but are not able to demonstrate competence. Certificates at level 2 & 3 have also been developed that will be competency based. Learners will be able to carry credit from the award for progression without repeating learning There is currently one unit available through the HSC diploma a further set of units are being developed at level 2 to replace the mandatory training and one unit at level 3 around training other workers in moving and assisting Activities organiser- units approved by the sector, now at the initial stages of negotiating upload The bulk of this work has been postponed in to tranche 2. knowledge only units are being developed at level 2 & 3 that mirror the HSC diploma mandatory competence units so learners don’t repeat their learning between school, college and the work place. The level 2 & 3 units will form a knowledge only certificate at each level that can be used in different ways one of which will be as a replacement qualification to the current apprenticeship technical certificates. Further work will take place in tranche 2 units and qualifications at foundation level and level 1 CPCCS at levels 3, 5 and 7 are currently on hold whilst priority qualifications are completed. (Priority being Diploma quals) There are a number of qualifications being developed alongside the Diplomas at level 2 and 3. We are working closely with colleagues in Health and in partner countries to develop these qualifications. LD- units have been developed for use within the HSC diploma and separate certificates at level 2 &3 for CPD. The LDQ will not exist in its current format. There will be a learning disabilities pathway through the HSC Diploma which will provide contextualised LD specific learning. Learners can also undertake specialist smaller learning disabilities qualifications for continuing professional development. Dementia units have been developed for use within the HSC diploma. There will be opportunity to undertake knowledge only awards at level 2 & 3 for learners who wish to learn about dementia but are not able to demonstrate competence. Certificates at level 2 & 3 have also been developed that will be competency based. Learners will be able to carry credit from the award for progression without repeating learning There is currently one unit available through the HSC diploma a further set of units are being developed at level 2 to replace the mandatory training and one unit at level 3 around training other workers in moving and assisting Activities organiser- units approved by the sector, now at the initial stages of negotiating upload The bulk of this work has been postponed in to tranche 2. knowledge only units are being developed at level 2 & 3 that mirror the HSC diploma mandatory competence units so learners don’t repeat their learning between school, college and the work place. The level 2 & 3 units will form a knowledge only certificate at each level that can be used in different ways one of which will be as a replacement qualification to the current apprenticeship technical certificates. Further work will take place in tranche 2 units and qualifications at foundation level and level 1 CPCCS at levels 3, 5 and 7 are currently on hold whilst priority qualifications are completed. (Priority being Diploma quals)

13. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) RPL is a term used with the QCF to ensure learners do not repeat learning RPL Definition ‘A method of assessment that considers whether a learner can demonstrate that they can meet the assessment requirements for a unit through knowledge, understanding or skills that they already possess, and do not need to develop through a course of learning’. Awarding organisations are responsible for awarding credit gained through RPL. We have had feedback from the sector that the current APL system has not worked the RPL system allows learners certificated and un-certificated learning to be recognised providing it means the learning outcomes of the units. Further info should be sought from individual AO’s.Awarding organisations are responsible for awarding credit gained through RPL. We have had feedback from the sector that the current APL system has not worked the RPL system allows learners certificated and un-certificated learning to be recognised providing it means the learning outcomes of the units. Further info should be sought from individual AO’s.

14. Joining up… Skills for Care will ensure that changes within qualifications will be reflected across our business including NMDS and TSI We will continue to engage external organisations to ensure a consistent and coherent approach to changes Skills for Care are working to ensure that the NMDS-SC reflects changes taking place to ensure that the changes needed within the NMDS-SC system happen along similar timescales as the introduction of  new social care-related QCF qualifications. Further work is being undertaken to identify what qualification will be funded through TSI as units and qualifications are developed. Extensive is being undertaken with external organisations such as the SFA re funding. Skills for care are also working with the CQC to develop Practice Advice Notes to help providers of residential and community adult social care services to fulfill their responsibilities in respect of the outcomes in the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) guidance about compliance with Essential Standards of Quality and Safety.  Skills for Care are working to ensure that the NMDS-SC reflects changes taking place to ensure that the changes needed within the NMDS-SC system happen along similar timescales as the introduction of  new social care-related QCF qualifications. Further work is being undertaken to identify what qualification will be funded through TSI as units and qualifications are developed. Extensive is being undertaken with external organisations such as the SFA re funding. Skills for care are also working with the CQC to develop Practice Advice Notes to help providers of residential and community adult social care services to fulfill their responsibilities in respect of the outcomes in the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) guidance about compliance with Essential Standards of Quality and Safety. 

15. How to get involved… Draft unit review: -Expert reference group -Web based consultation Highlight additional units needed within the sector Keep up to date! Expert ref group - sector representatives - People can choose their area of expertise and join the relevant group. Each member of the reference group is sent a number of units to review within a 2 week period (where possible) A sample of units are also uploaded to the website for on line feedback. We want to ensure that our units/qualifications reflect the needs of the sector we want the sector to tell us if there are units that are required by the sector. Where possible we will try and identify units that may already be available or will work with w view to develop specific units if appropriate. The QCF is developing at speed we would request that you keep up to date! Expert ref group - sector representatives - People can choose their area of expertise and join the relevant group. Each member of the reference group is sent a number of units to review within a 2 week period (where possible) A sample of units are also uploaded to the website for on line feedback. We want to ensure that our units/qualifications reflect the needs of the sector we want the sector to tell us if there are units that are required by the sector. Where possible we will try and identify units that may already be available or will work with w view to develop specific units if appropriate. The QCF is developing at speed we would request that you keep up to date!

16. How to find out more… Visit our website www.skillsforcare.org.uk/qcf for: QCF leaflets Powerpoint presentation FAQs Draft QCF units for consultation Approved QCF units For regular updates sign up to our e news: marketing@skillsforcare.org.uk

17. For further information contact: Project Managers: Zoë Dodd zoe.dodd@skillsforcare.org.uk Fazeela Hafejee fazeela.hafejee@skillsforcare.org.uk