Qualifications

In this section we have provided brief summaries of the main qualification categories in the social service sector in Scotland. There are of course many different types of award offered, but not all are recognised as qualifications which will allow you to practice in the sector. The following are the most commonly used qualifications in the sector in Scotland:

Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs)
Higher National Certificates (HNCs)
Degree in Social Work
SCQF

Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs)

SVQs are benchmarks of competence. Their purpose is to show that someone who achieves an SVQ really can do the work the SVQ covers, and can do it to a standard of competence which has been defined nationally.

To make sure that the qualifications are worthy of the high value that employers
place on them, SVQs are given formal recognition by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA). This ‘formal recognition’ involves SQA taking active steps to make sure that SVQs are relevant and credible qualifications. One of SQA’s most important jobs is to make sure that high standards of quality in the delivery and assessment of the qualifications are maintained at all times.

One important thing you have to remember is that SVQs are not training programmes — they are qualifications which recognise competence. They do not specify the way people doing the qualification have to become competent — just what they have to be able to do to get the SVQ. Of course, you will probably find that you will need some form of training before you can be judged competent, but the qualifications don’t limit the sort or quantity of training needed, or say that there has to be any at all.

SVQs are based on the idea of competence in a job role; they focus on what a person in that job role can actually do. There are no formal written exams - people doing SVQs collect and submit evidence, usually from their work. SVQs are based on standards of competence, which specify the skills and the knowledge & understanding and values a person needs. The evidence a candidate for an SVQ collects is assessed against the standards of competence the SVQ is based on.

For more information on SVQs visit http://www.sqa.org.uk or http://www.cityandguilds.co.uk

Information regarding the qualifications for registration specified by the SSSC can be found at http://www.sssc.uk.com/Registration/About+registration.htm

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Higher National Certificate (HNC)

HNCs are college-based, taught courses which are made up of a number of discrete units of study. Candidates taking an HNC can do so in a variety of ways – attending college full-time for one year, or part-time for two years. Some HNC units are also available as distance/online learning. Although the HNC is predominantly offered by Further Education Colleges, there are one or two offered by social service employers. HNCs may also be offered in Higher Education Institutions.

The main aims of HNCs are

• Developing transferable skills including Core Skills
• Developing personal effectiveness
• Developing critical and evaluative thinking
• Developing problem solving skills
• Enabling progression within SCQF including progression to higher education
• Providing opportunities for career planning and enhancing candidates’ employment prospects

Specific HNCs may have additional aims e.g.:

• To integrate knowledge, theory and practice effectively in a care setting
• To develop skills appropriate for working with individuals in a care setting
• To have a service user and carer focus in your practice
• To prepare for or develop in employment
• To critically evaluate your practice and become a reflective practitioner

For more information see http://www.sqa.org.uk

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The Degree in Social Work

The Degree is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to cope with the broad range of people they will work with and the communities in which they live. It will enable students to understand, work with and value people as individuals with unique life histories. They will need to be able to assess people’s needs and help them to make choices to improve their quality of life. At times they will have to make difficult decisions for people to allow them to live as independently and safely as possible.

Therefore, the Degree offers a generic training, which will prepare students to work across a range of social work settings and sectors, making it possible to move between jobs and gain a wide range of experience during their career.

If you would like more information on the Degree in Social Work or obtain information on how to apply for a place on one of the degree programmes in Scotland, visit

http://www.sssc.uk.com/Social+Service+Careers/Social+Service+Home.htm

and

http://www.sssc.uk.com/Education+and+training/Education+and+training.htm

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