Private Care Sector Workforce Initiative
Glossary of Information on Learning & Development
There are a wide variety of learning opportunities within the social care sector and it can be difficult to know which are relevant for you and your staff. Much of the learning and training which workers are required to undergo is directed by a range of legislation and regulation. For example, workers registering with SSSC will commonly undertake SVQs. The same workers may be required by health & safety legislation to undertake first aid or food hygiene training.
National Care Standards and National Occupational Standards are concepts which underpin social care training.
National Care Standards
National Care Standards (NCS) describe what level of service an individual can expect from service providers. The standards are based on a set of principles: dignity, privacy, choice, safety, realising potential, equality and diversity. The Care Commission regulate services against National Care Standards.
National Occupational Standards
National Occupational Standards (NOS) are agreed statements of competence, which describe the work outcomes required for an individual to achieve the standard expected of them in work. NOS are the foundation on which Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) are developed. Please click to view the Care National Occupational Standards element titles and units.
Statutory Courses
These courses, including Health and Safety at Work, First Aid, Food Hygiene, Moving and Handling, are normally provided by independent providers of training or charities.
SVQs
A Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) is a work based qualification recognised throughout the UK. SVQs testify that you are competent at certain abilities relating to your work. Click to view the SVQ Award website for further information on SVQs.
Modern Apprenticeships - Health and Social Care and Children's Care, Learning & Development
The SSSC manages the framework for Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland – including Health and Social Care. Click here for further information
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
The SSSC in partnership with the Scottish Qualifications Authority, Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework and representatives from the Scottish social service sector, has developed an RPL guidance pack which can assist in evaluating where a worker fits within the learning spectrum and the possible training avenues open to them. Click here to find out more.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
As part of registration, all workers will be required to undertake an amount of continuous professional development in order to maintain their SSSC registration. The SSSC has produced a report which sets out the objectives for CPD for the social service workforce in Scotland - social workers, social care workers and those who work in early education and child care. It will apply to workers at all levels and stages of their careers. It is underpinned by the SSSC Codes of Practice and encourages employers and employees to make effective use of both formal and informal learning.
Download the Continuing Professional Development for the social service workforce report.
Higher Education
The SSSC approves social work honours degree and postgraduate courses at universities across Scotland. Click to download the list of approved courses.
Nursing Qualifications
Depending on the type of care your service provides, you may require to have staff with appropriate nursing qualifications.
Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework
A useful tool to assist you to compare qualifications is the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework. The Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework (SCQF) assists learners, employers and the general public to understand the full range of Scottish qualifications available, how they relate to each other and how they can contribute to improving individual and workforce skills. The SCQF is shown graphically below. Please visit the SCQF site for further information about the SCQF, you can also download a graphical representation of the SCQF (pdf 32kb).
