QCF Health and Social Care
Introduction to Health and Social Care Diplomas
The Qualifications and Credit framework (QCF) Health and Social Care (HSC) Diplomas at levels 2, 3, and 5 are the replacement qualifications for current vocational provision including National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ's).
- General information
- Level 2 Diploma in HSC
- Level 3 Diplomas in HSC
- Level 5 Diplomas in Leadership for HSC
General information
Credits from a combination of Mandatory and Optional units
The qualifications can be achieved by gaining a combination of units from both the Mandatory and Optional unit banks that total a specified number of credits
Units
Units are either knowledge and understanding or competence (a combination of knowledge, understanding and skills).
Each QCF unit is owned by an Awarding Organisation, with whom SfC and D worked collaboratively to develop QCF qualifications. Copyright resides with the Awarding Organisations. Further details about each unit can be found on the Register of Regulated Qualifications http://register.ofqual.gov.uk
Mandatory units
Mandatory units are those that must be completed for the qualifications to be achieved.
Optional units
Optional units are those units that a learner may choose to complete in order to achieve the specified number of credits required to achieve the qualifications.
The selection of optional units can reflect the specialism of the learner. The option bank may be extended over time as agreed by Sector Skills Council partners and awarding organisations. Units can also be completed by learners as ‘stand alone’ accredited continued professional development (CPD) outside of the qualifications.
Assessment
All units will be assessed in accordance with
Skills for Care and Development Assessment Principles
and the
QCF Regulatory Arrangements for the Qualifications and Credit Framework
Further information from Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) on assessment qualifications is available in Assessing and Assuring the Quality of Assessments.
Welsh medium
The specifications and units for these qualifications will be available through the medium of Welsh.
National Occupational Standards
The QCF units are underpinned by National Occupational Standards (NOS)
Further information
For further information about the Qualifications and Credit Framework, credits, levels, units and Rules of Combination go to:
or visit
Minimum of 46 credits to gain the Level 2 Diploma in HSC Wales and Northern Ireland
Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) Wales and Northern Ireland
The Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care (HSC) (Adults) Wales and Northern Ireland is the replacement qualification for current vocational provision including NVQ level 2 in Health and Social Care (HSC).
The Diploma is for use in Wales and Northern Ireland.
It will confer occupational competence to work within specified health and social care roles.
Is this for me?
The Level 2 Diploma is for practitioners who work or aim to work in a health and social care setting.
For detailed information about settings or services, job roles and how to achieve the qualification go to:
Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) Wales and Northern Ireland
Level 3 Diplomas in HSC (Adults) or (Children and Young People) Wales and Northern Ireland
Adults
The Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) Wales and Northern Ireland is the replacement qualification for current vocational provision including NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care (HSC) (adult pathway).
The Diploma is for use in Wales and Northern Ireland.
It will confer occupational competence to work within specified health and social care roles.
Is level 3 Diploma in HSC (adults) right for me?
The level 3 Diploma is for practitioners who work in a health and social care setting.
For detailed information about settings or services, job roles and how to achieve the qualification for go to:
Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults)Wales and Northern Ireland
Children and Young People
The Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) Wales and Northern Ireland is the replacement qualification for current vocational provision including NVQ level 3 in Health and Social Care (HSC).
The Diploma is for use in Wales and Northern Ireland* and learners will be able to register from January 2011.
It will confer occupational competence to work within specified health and social care roles and can provide progression to the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Services (Children and Young People’s Advanced Practice).
Is level 3 Diploma in HSC (children and young people) right for me?
The level 3 Diploma is for practitioners who work in a health and social care setting.
For detailed information about settings or services, job roles and how to achieve the qualification go to:
Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) Wales and Northern Ireland
Level 5 Diplomas in Leadership for Health and Social Care
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care
The Level 5 Diplomas in Leadership in Health and Social Care Services (Wales and Northern Ireland) are the replacement qualifications for current vocational provision including NVQ level 4 in Health and Social Care (HSC) and NVQ 4 in Leadership and Management for Care Services (LMCS).
The Diplomas are for use in Wales and Northern Ireland.
Which qualification is for me?
The Level 5 Diplomas in Leadership in Health and Social Care Services (Wales and Northern Ireland) include:
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care Services (Adults' Advanced Practice) Wales and Northern Ireland. This is for senior practitioners, deputy managers and assistant managers who work with adults in settings or services whose main purpose is adults’ care and support.
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care Services (Adults' Management) Wales and Northern Ireland. This is for managers, deputy managers and assistant managers who work with adults in non-residential settings or services whose main purpose is adults’ care and support.
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care Services (Adults' Residential Management) Wales and Northern Ireland. This is for managers, deputy managers and assistant managers who work with adults in a residential setting whose main purpose is adults’ care and support.
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care Services (Children and Young People’s Advanced Practice) Wales and Northern Ireland. This is for senior practitioners, deputy managers and assistant managers who work with children and young people in settings or services whose main purpose is children’s care.
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care Services (Children and Young People’s Management) Wales This is for managers, deputy managers and assistant managers who work with children and young people in non-residential settings or services whose main purpose is children and young people’s care.
Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care Services (Children and Young People’s Residential Management) Wales This is for managers, deputy managers and assistant managers who work with children and young people in residential settings.