General information
Introduction
Edexcel are working in collaboration with the relevant sector skills councils (SSCs) to develop a new set of QCF competency based qualifications which will be available from January 2011.
What is QCF?
It’s a new framework for creating and accrediting qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
It will give a wider range of learners the opportunity to get the qualifications they need, in a way that suits them. QCF qualifications are designed with the help of employers so that learners can be assured that they’re gaining skills employers are looking for.
The QCF:
- recognises smaller steps of learning and enables learners to build up qualifications bit by bit
- helps learners achieve the skills and qualifications that meet industry needs
- enables work-based training to be nationally recognised
The QCF Diplomas in Health & Social Care are available at Diploma Level 2, 3 and 5. The level 2 and 3 Diplomas in Health & Social Care are aimed at individuals working with adults across all social care settings.
The level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health & Social Care is aimed at individuals who lead social care, either as managers or as senior practitioners.
Background
In the modern business environment, a competitive advantage is not just about reducing costs. It is about being able to respond to customer demand, to adapt to a changing market and to look to the future.
Employees are key to the success of any organisation. For an employer, training staff is the best way of ensuring an
organisation remains competitive.
A well-trained workforce is:
- more efficient and effective
- more customer focused
- more confident and motivated
For any organisation,this means:
- reduced staff turnover
- high productivity
- increased customer satisfaction
Access Skills has an excellent track record in delivering training to businesses and other organisations across the private, public and voluntary sectors. Our experienced team can analyse your skills and training requirements and create a training package which directly meets your needs. We offer nationally recognised qualifications as well as bespoke solutions which we can deliver in your workplace.
Access Skills is determined, focused and dedicated to developing and improving employee skills to match and meet the employee’s needs and the employer’s requirements and expectations. We work in cooperation with employees and
employers to provide bespoke, work based training and development solutions for corporate and other clients, thus improving operational efficiency and maximising productivity.
Our Courses ensure that a workforce has the practical skills and qualifications the organisation needs now and in the future. The mixture of on and off job learning ensures employees learn the skills that work best for the business.
Our courses deliver skills designed around a business’s needs, providing the skilled workers needed for the future. They also help develop the specialist skills needed to keep pace with the latest working practices in each sector.
These courses can be used to train both new and existing employees.
Diplomas Explained
Diploma’s and National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) are qualifications which are flexible and practical way to ensure the needs of an organisation are met without disrupting the schedules of both the business and the learner. The qualifications are structured so that learner can be trained throughout at a time, pace and place to suit the organisation on the business premises.
Our Diplomas are designed around the needs of employees and employers, which lead to nationally recognised qualifications.
These vocational qualifications give the learner the skills needed to do a job. They are based on a series of competencies which are mapped to each job role. Work-based evidence is gathered on the job and assessed against the competencies. Once the learner has successfully met the required standards they will be awarded the qualification.
These types of qualifications require the learner to show what they currently do and require the learner to show the skills necessary to do their work. To show their competence, learners collect evidence from their workplace according to the National Occupational Standard (NOS) of the sector. Throughout the qualification the learner is learning reasoning skills in the job role and increasing their knowledge as a result.
Who is eligible for a Diploma?
There are no formal entry requirements, but a candidate must:
- Be in full time employment in the relevant sector working a minimum of 30 hours per week
- Be lawfully entitled to work in the UK
What is the length of a Diploma?
There is no fixed length for any programme. They can last between 8 months and 12 months depending on the particular course and level. The speed at which the full qualification is achieved depends upon the individual learner
and the employer.
How is the Diploma delivered?
We, as the training provider, will provide the knowledge and develop the skills and the employer will provide the practical experience to put those skills to the test, providing the evidence for completion of the qualification. Our methods used include:
- Work based delivery
- Observations
- Professional Discussions
- Witness Testimony
- Self Reflective Account
- Knowledge Questions
- Individual projects
What is the structure of a Diploma unit?
All Diplomas have a common structure. Different Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and Standards Setting Bodies (SSBs) may vary the layout of a unit Please see the full unit guide for your level. Diplomas are made up of standards that can be broken down into the following parts, sometimes they might be labelled differently, for example:
Element
Each unit is made up of a number of elements. Each element describes a specific work activity that you have to perform and the skills, knowledge or understanding required
Evidence requirements
These specify the amount and type of evidence that you need to provide to show you have met the requirements of the element.
Range statements
Each statement defines the different situations in which you must show you can perform competently. Candidates must cover all the items in the range.
Knowledge and understanding
This states what you must know and understand, and how the this knowledge applies to your jobs.
Performance criteria
These set out what you must do to show you can perform the work task competently. Assessors judge candidates' performance against these criteria need to be met.
What can you expect from the Diploma?
What you can expect prior to the training programme:
- An advisory consultation to discuss business outcomes and training needed
- Accurate information on the most appropriate training, accommodating business needs for flexibility wherever possible
- Clear information on content, duration, assessment requirements and costs
- Information, advice and guidance for each learner
What you can expect at the start of the Diploma?
- A comprehensive induction including initial advice and guidance
- Information on content, assessment of progress, regularity of reviews, Health and Safety requirements and Equal
Opportunities Policy
What you can expect during the Diploma?
- High quality training taking account of individual abilities
- Highly competent and professional delivery team with vocational expertise
- A welcoming learning environment irrespective of race, religion, age, nationality, gender, disability, or sexual orientation
- A safe learning environment with training on Health and Safety issues where relevant
- Prompt feedback, written or verbal as appropriate, in order for employees to improve their performance
- Well-managed training that meets the agreed outcomes
What you can expect after the Diploma?
- You will be receipt of a nationally accepted qualification, which is both recognised by Care Quality Commission, and is accredited by Edexcel
- Suggestions of relevant follow-on or new opportunities should they arise
What will we do?
We will provide you with support and guide you to:
- Help you decide which qualification is right for you
- Explain the way that our Diplomas might work for you
- Agree a training plan with you
- Support existing staff into training
- Manage the training
- Ensure that national quality standards are met and deliver integrated, coherent training
Employers play an important role in training the learner and there will be three-way communication between the employer, the learner and us. Ongoing support will be provided dedicated Assessors.
What will the employer have to do?
- Support and encourage learners throughout the training
- Provide opportunities for assessment in the workplace if appropriate
What will the employee have to do?
- Make a positive commitment to the learning programme
Your next steps:
Getting started with a Diploma
The next step is to discuss your exact training requirements with one of our representatives. If you haven’t already been in contact with us,