SQA Accreditation and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Credit for your Learning

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF)  The SCQF was developed to meet the needs of Scotland’s learners and was created by bringing together all Scottish mainstream qualifications into a single unified framework  It can allow relationships to be clarified between qualifications / learning programmes and maximise credit transfer opportunities

The SCQF  Credit Points – refer to the volume of learning required to achieve the learning outcomes.  Level – refers to the complexity of the learning and the knowledge, skills or competence required to achieve the learning outcomes

SCQF Credit Rating Service

Credit Rating Service - Background  Sits within SQA Accreditation  Pilot 2004/2005 –Scottish Childminding Association –Scottish Fire Services College –Scottish Prison Service College  Launched 2006 as SCQF Credit Rating Service

Credit Rating Service - Background  For qualifications/ learning programmes to be included in the SCQF they must be presented to a credit rating body for confirmation of the credit rating  Non SQA provision –CPD – Scottish Schools Equipment Research Centre (SSERC) –Professional Qualifications – Chartered Management Institute –Training Programmes – Community Development Foundation

Credit Rating Service - Criteria  Before we can credit rate these four criteria must be met: 1.The qualifications / learning programmes must be based on learning outcomes. 2.The outcomes must be formally assessed and results recorded.

Credit Rating Service - Criteria 3.There must be a documented process of external quality assurance for the assessment of the learning outcomes. 4.The learning in the qualification / learning programme must have, as a minimum, a notional 10 hours of notional learning time.

Credit Rating Service - Process  On receipt of a submission a Credit Rating Officer (CRO) will conduct an initial scrutiny  CRO liaises with the submitting body to request any additional clarification or documentation  CRO appoints the credit rater and vetter to carry out credit rating activity  Submission is taken to Credit Rating Decision Group (CRDG)

Credit Rating Service - Process  Credit Rating applies for a maximum of 5 years  Contract issued to submitting body detailing credit rating plus any conditions  Submitting body issued with SCQF logo for use on promotional documentation and certificates  Can refer to SQA as the Credit Rating Body

SVQ Credit Rating Project

SVQ Credit Rating  SQA Accreditation with funding from the Scottish Government, contracted with Sector Skills councils, Standard Setting Bodies and Awarding Bodies with the aim of allocating and SCQF level and calculating SCQF credit points to SVQ units.  This is a three year project with funding ending in March 2008  Currently awaiting direction from Scottish Government post March

SVQ Credit Rating - Background  Two years of testing methodologies prior to the commencement of the project  Evolving the “theory” from the testing period into an actual process  Development of guidance and recording documentation  Establishment of a training programme for participants in SVQ credit rating

SVQ Credit Rating - Methodology  Liaise with the SSC/SSB/AB  Training event  EVs undertake the credit rating  Standardisation

SVQ Credit Rating – Examples 05/06  Health and Social Care, levels 2, 3 and 4  Retail, levels 1, 2 and 3  Management, levels 2, 3, 4 and 5  Administration, levels 1, 2, 3 and 4  Water Byelaws Enforcement, level 3  IT Users, levels 1, 2 and 3  Aquaculture, levels 2 and 3  Performing Manufacturing Operations, levels 1 and 2

SVQ Credit Rating – Examples 06/07  Construction – over two years  Engineering – over two years  Customer Service  Plumbing Automotive  Electrotechnical  Early Years (CCLD)  Management

SVQ Credit Rating - Justice  The Scottish Prison Service College have been involved in SCQF credit rating in the 2007/2008 project.  The SVQ is Custodial Care Level 3.  The SPSC involvement has been co-ordinated by Malcolm Grant.

SVQ Credit Rating - Justice  This has involved taking part in the information event to learn about how SQA credit rates its SVQs.  Undertaking the credit rating of the units allocated.  Attending the standardisation event at the end of the project.

SVQ Credit Rating - Justice  The results of this credit rating exercise will be published in the 2007/2008 project report which should be published late spring 2008 in the Accreditation Section of the SQA website and also on the SCQF website

Contacts  Alison Taylor Accreditation Adviser, Credit Rating Service

Contacts  Amanda Laing Accreditation Adviser, SVQ Credit Rating Project