Introduction
Information for training providers on standards, quality assurance, apprenticeships and funding.
Qualification standards
Read more about our rules and requirements for qualification standards. You can also find information on non-UK social work qualifications.
Quality assurance
We have a role in quality assuring and approving courses provided in Scotland. Read more on our quality assurance page.
Apprenticeships
Employing an apprentice is an opportunity to hire a person into a work-based training programme where they will gain an industry recognised qualification (SVQ) and core skills.
We must approve learning providers to deliver apprenticeship frameworks. Providers must also have SQA approval to offer the principal qualification contained in a framework along with the relevant core or career skills. We charge a small administrative fee for each framework and each candidate registered.
Modern apprenticeships
Modern apprenticeships (MAs) save costs because the learning provider can access funding from Skills Development Scotland(Opens new window).
An MA is a training programme and it’s important to provide robust induction and support throughout.
The following frameworks sit within the modern apprenticeship (MA) requirements:
- Social Services and Healthcare at (SCQF level 6)
- Social Services and Healthcare at (SCQF level 7)
- Social Services Children and Young People at (SCQF level 7).
The core skills for MAs
| Apprenticeship framework | MA/SVQ level | Core skill level for communication, problem solving and working with others | Core skill level for numeracy and ICT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Services and Healthcare | 2 | SCQF 5 | SCQF 4 |
| Social Services and Healthcare | 3 | SCQF 6 | SCQF 5 |
| Social Services (Children and Young People) | 3 | SCQF 6 | SCQF 5 |
These core skills are set at appropriate levels of the SCQF. The core skills of communication, problem solving and working with others have been mapped against the mandatory units. The core skills of numeracy and information and communications technology (ICT) need separate certificates.
All the frameworks are mapped to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)(Opens new window) and accredited by an awarding body. The format of the frameworks and qualifications provide flexibility both in employment and in careers and should help workers move across the workforce.
All Modern Apprenticeship frameworks can be found here.
Useful documents
Please email [email protected] if you have a query about modern apprenticeships
Modern apprenticeship funding
Skills Development Scotland administers funding to Modern Apprenticeship Centres.
There are opportunities for employers to develop their existing workforce with social service apprenticeships. Visit the Skills Development Scotland website(Opens new window) for:
- general information about apprenticeships and the
- apprenticeship levy.
Technical and professional apprenticeships
The following frameworks sit within the technical apprenticeship requirements:
- Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 9
- Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF 9
- Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 9.
The following sits within the professional apprenticeship framework requirements:
- Care Services Leadership and Management at SCQF Level 10.
These higher level apprenticeships offer flexible, work-based training, as a way of developing and up skilling staff to meet specific business requirements.
A key difference for technical and professional apprenticeships (TAs and PAs) is the replacement of core skills with career skills. Core skills only go up to SCQF level 6 and employers have said that career skills should reflect the work-based requirements at a higher level. Career skills are certificated separately. They require approval from the SQA for the career skills identified below. Apprentices require to be certificated for 15 credits at SCQF level 7 or above.
You can find the list of career skills for TAs and PAs(Opens new window) on the Skills Development Scotland website.
Useful documents
Foundation apprenticeships
Foundation apprenticeships (FAs) are for fifth and sixth year secondary school pupils and take two years to complete. There are two in social services:
Delivery and assessment of a subject specific National Progression Award (NPA) in either social services and healthcare or social services and young people will be in fifth year and takes a blended approach between college and placement. The FA in sixth year is delivered and assessed in the workplace. The NPA provides knowledge and an introduction to the skills that will help pupils to complete the SVQ units. The NPA has 24 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 6 and the SVQ 2 mandatory units have a total of 37 credit points at SCQF level 6. These two parts, along with an associated work placement, form the FAs.
The skills gained by undertaking an FA can be developed and used in a variety of careers and there is a wide range of job opportunities in the social service sector.
Voluntary Sector Development Fund
The Voluntary Sector Development Fund (VSDF) supports voluntary sector organisations providing social services that are a registered charity and registered with the Care Inspectorate. VSDF funding contributes to the costs of gaining the qualification required for SSSC registration.
The Scottish Government provides a set amount of funding each year which we administer. Eligible organisations are invited to apply between July and September. When funding is available, we publish information on how to apply in the news section(Opens new window) and our newsletters.
For more information please email [email protected]