we help to improve social care standards Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF): the background Last Updated: 30 September 2010

QCF developments in partnership This presentation refers to Adult Social Care in England We are also working with other Sector Skills Councils and Awarding Organisations

QCF A government initiative across England, Wales and Northern Ireland It includes all vocational qualifications in all sectors A replacement to the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

why do we need the QCF for the adult social care sector? Needs of people who use services Ways in which services are configured Requirements for registration and regulation Development of the personalisation agenda Retention and recruitment

a simple architecture

QCF principles Units and qualifications should have as many uses as possible. Units should have broad assessment requirements. Language and content should reflect level – language should be standardised.

benefits of the QCF Learners: More choice and flexibility. Undertake learning in bite size chunks. Employers: Easily identify the level and size of achievement of prospective employees. Clearly identify the right training for their learning and business needs. Training Providers: Retention and progression rates will improve as learners achieve more frequently.

rules of combination Each QCF qualification must have a set of rules of combination (RoC) defined by the SSC The RoC specify any mandatory units and list the optional units within a qualification that a learner must achieve Units can be included in more than one qualification, so for consistency they also include assessment requirements of particular units

spikey profile Work does not take place at one level Qualifications can therefore be made up of units at different levels Can also be used to extend learning and development and to encourage progression and CPD

skills for care QCF contacts: Project Managers: Zoë Dodd Fazeela Hafejee