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All information and links on this page, keep up-to date with the latest information on the QCF by visiting the Skills for Care QCF section at the following link: http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/qualifications_and_training/newqualificationsQCF/newqualificationsQCF.aspx
Funding for QCF units is available under the Workforce Development Fund (WDF) - see funding under the top menu.
If you are looking for a training provider that offers these qualifications then please see our training providers list (click blue text)
New qualifications (Qualifications and Credit Framework - QCF)
In January 2011 NVQs were replaced with new Diplomas and smaller Awards and Certificates for continued professional development.
The new qualifications replace the previous NVQs and VRQs and offer a new way of recognising skills and qualifications. They do this by awarding credit for qualifications and units (small steps of learning). They enable people to gain qualifications at their own pace along flexible routes.
Workers who have already undertaken relevant NVQs have got legitimate qualifications that demonstrate competency. These qualifications will continue to be recognised now that the new qualifications are in place, but they are not available for new registrations.
The new qualifications provide a flexible, 'mix and match' approach to meeting the different development needs of the workforce.
Every unit and qualification has both a credit value and a level:
- one credit represents 10 hours of average learning time and so the credit value shows approximately how much time it takes to complete. This will be different for each learner.
- the level shows how difficult the unit or qualification is (this can be anywhere between entry level and level 8) our sector now has vocational qualifications/units from level 1 through to level 7.
There are now three sizes of qualification:
- Award (1-12 credits)
- Certificate (13-36 credits)
- Diploma (above 36 credits) - not linked to the 14-19 Diploma.
The type of qualification (award, certificate or diploma) therefore shows its size and not how difficult it is, For example: there could be Awards available at level 1 or level 8.
What has changed?
The Level 2 and 3 Diplomas in Health and Social Care (HSC) replace the Health and Social Care NVQs at level 2 and 3.
The diplomas are made up of nine mandatory units and a range of optional units. The mandatory units are very closely aligned to the learning covered by new workers in the common induction standards (CIS) and the aim is for learners from any part of the sector to complete these standards and contextualise their learning to their service/job role.
There are options to take a generic HSC Diploma or a specialist dementia or learning disability pathway which allows learners to further tailor their learning to their job role.
Health and Social Care (HSC) diploma level 2
Level 2 diploma in Health and Social Care qualification structure
For the rules of combination for this qualification please click on the link below:
HSC level 2 diploma rules of combination
Below are links to the units that will be available:
Level 2 diploma in Health and Social Care (adults) for England
Health and Social Care (HSC) diploma level 3
Level 3 diploma in Health and Social Care qualification structure
For the rules of combination for this qualification please click on the link below:
HSC level 3 diploma rules of combination
Below are links to the units that will be available:
Level 3 diploma in Health and Social Care (adults) for England
Instructions to download:
1. Click the link above to download the zip file to your computer
2. Extract the files from the zip file to your PC - in Windows XP you can extract the files by right-clicking the relevant zip file and choosing "Extract All...", then follow the wizard
3. Open the PDFs from the location you saved them to
(Please note: within the zip files the unit file names relate to the unit reference numbers. Full unit titles can be viewed on the rules of combination documents which can be downloaded below.)
For a list of the Awarding Organisations offering the new diplomas, please click on the link below:
Table of qualifications and Awarding Organisations - 21 July 2011
Leadership and management
The Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services replaces and combines the level 4 Leadership and Management in Care Services NVQ and the level 4 Health and Social Care NVQ qualifications to offer a hybrid qualification.
Click on the link below for more information: leadership for health and social care
Existing qualifications
Workers who have already undertaken NVQs have got legitimate qualifications that demonstrate competency. These qualifications will continue to be recognised now that the new qualifications are in place, but they are not available for new registrations.
qualifications and units
The new qualifications allow learners to tailor their learning to their job role.
Below is a list of specialist qualifications that have been developed following consultation with the sector. By following these links you will find more information about the qualifications and be able to view the units currently available:
Copyright of the units
Skills for Care and Development has worked collaboratively with all of the awarding organisations (AOs) in social care and young people's development to develop QCF qualifications. Copyright for different QCF units is individually held by the different AOs. Further details about each unit can be found on the Register of Regulated Qualifications, http://register.ofqual.gov.uk.
All of the units are also available on this present site for your convenience, by permission of the various unit copyright holders.
For a list of all the new qualifications which have been developed for adult social care, and the Awarding Organisations offering them, please click on the link below:
Table of qualifications and Awarding Organisations - 25 August 2011
If you have identified any gaps in the units or qualifications where you think additions would be useful for the sector please complete the form below and return it to
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form to identify unit and qualification gaps
Supporting material
We have created a number of different materials to explain more about the new qualifications - please click on the links below for the one most relevant to you:
Leaflets
PowerPoint presentations
DVD
For a list of all the new qualifications which have been developed for adult social care, and the Awarding Organisations offering them, please click on the link below:
Table of qualifications and Awarding Organisations - 21 July 2011
New qualification options - possible scenarios
The purpose of the documents below are to provide case study scenarios to demonstrate how learners may tailor their learning to their job role using the new qualifications. We aim to support learners to make informed choices about the options available to them through the new qualifications.
Please note: These are suggestions only. They are examples of possible combinations that could be taken and are not intended to form guidance, there are many ways in which units can be grouped together to complete the qualifications.
Please click on the link below to view specific learning disability scenarios:
learning disability supporting materials.
Skills for Care and Development Assessor Qualifications Statement
Skills for Care and Development, Awarding Organisations and Skills for Health have agreed a set of assessment principles. In this there was a commitment (point 4.3) to provide a list of qualifications that assessors must hold in order to be deemed qualified to make assessment decisions. We do not believe one list of qualifications will cover all eventualities and qualifications in the footprint.
The Sector Skills Council expects Awarding Organisations to exercise appropriate judgement in identifying individuals who are appropriately qualified to make assessment decisions. To assess competence based Learning Organisations these individuals must:
- Be occupationally competent in the area they are assessing and
- Be competent in assessment.
To assess knowledge based Learning Organisations these individuals must:
- Be occupationally knowledgeable or occupationally competent.
- Be competent in assessment.
This approach will be evaluated by looking at outcomes in partnership with Awarding Organisations in the quality forum, and reviewed if necessary.
Regular updates
If you would like to receive our enews directly to your inbox for regular updates on the new qualifications, please email
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.
Background to the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF)
QCF for training providers - October 2009
QFC for employers - October 2009
If you have any further questions have a look at the QCF Frequently Asked Questions
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Training Information 
