Introduction |
An estimated three million people are employed in the health
and social care sectors in the UK. Driven by the government
requirements across the UK to modernise and raise standards
in these sectors, there is an increasing need to recruit, retain
and develop the skills of this workforce.
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Course Aims |
The Level 2 NVQ qualification
is aimed at home care assistants, community support assistants,
healthcare assistants and residential or day service assistants.
The qualification is for care workers who support and assist
individuals with their physical or emotional care, daily living
needs or maintaining their independence - usually working under
supervision.
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Course
Market |
This NVQ is for those working in a Health or Social Care setting.
It is suitable for:
- full or part time workers, paid and voluntary, permanent
or temporary as well as day or night workers, supporting
adults of any age, in any setting.
- individuals working with either older people or children
and young people in essential care environments, day care
settings or palliative care.
- people who work with individuals to support and assist
them with their physical or emotional care, daily living
needs or maintaining their independence.
- care assistants, health care assistants, home care assistants
and community support assistants, residential or day service
assistants.
- for those working with people with learning disabilities
or challenging behaviour.
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Course Structure |
The Level 2 qualification contains
6 units. All candidates who are employed in the social
care sector must be assessed in the 4 core units plus
2 optional units from a choice of 28. The Optional Units cover
wide range of areas including domiciliary care and work, which
may cover personal and physical care needs, aspects of health
care needs, as well as supporting recreational, developmental
or therapeutic activities.
Candidates employed in the health care sector
may undertake the 4 core units and 2 optional units or 2 core
units and 2 optional units plus 2 other units from the core
or optional units or 3 core units and 3 optional units.
The Level 2 additional units are for continuing professional
development (CPD) only and do not form part of the overall
qualification structure.
Core Units:
HSC21 |
Communicate with and complete records
for individuals |
HSC22 |
Support the health and safety of yourself
and individuals |
HSC23 |
Develop your knowledge and practice |
HSC24 |
Ensure your own actions support the care,
protection and well-being of individuals |
Click
Here for the List of Optional and Additional Units
Employers in the social care sector anywhere
in the UK should ensure that their employees take the four
core units and two units from the options. If the employer
is in the health care sector they can decide that candidates
take two core units, two optional units and a further two units
which can be from the core or options.
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Duration |
As the qualification
consists of work based assessment, the duration would vary
between 06 to 12 months depending on the outcome of the continuous
assessment.
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Assessment |
The qualification is a work based award and candidates' skills
and knowledge are assessed in the workplace whilst they are
working directly with individuals and colleagues. They must
be working in a real health or social care setting on a full
or part time basis and in paid or voluntary work. If candidates
require any additional training prior to assessment this can
be based in or out of the workplace or by distance or elearning.
Performance evidence requirements: Evidence
of candidate performance will usually be derived from assessor
observation or testimony from an expert witness of the candidate
carrying out real work activities in the workplace. In order
to complete the qualification, candidates must provide evidence
of experience from caring for more than one individual, except
in circumstances where a carer is working for only one individual
for the total period of their assessment.
Knowledge evidence requirements: Candidates
must be able to apply the specified knowledge and understanding
to their work practice and therefore, most usually, knowledge
and understanding will be apparent in candidates’ performance
evidence. Professional discussion will be conducted to elicit
underpinning knowledge, explain how to deal with contingencies
and clarify or expand on evidence presented portfolios.
Simulation: Simulation is restricted and is
limited to just one element within one unit.
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Entry Requirements |
There are no formal entry requirements for candidates undertaking
this NVQ, however candidates must have the potential and opportunity
to gain evidence for the qualification in the work place.
This NVQ is not approved for the use of those who are under
16 years of age. There may also be age restrictions placed
on individuals when undertaking certain work activities within
Health and Social Care. These too should be clarified with
the appropriate regulator where there is any uncertainty about
such restrictions.
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Exemptions |
Some candidates may have completed
few units as part of an NVQ, which can be transferred directly
into this qualification by presenting the original certificate
to the centre. This is all that is required so long as the
unit previously achieved is identical to the one in the qualification
and that authenticity has been established.
Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL)
Some candidates for this qualification may
have undertaken training in the past and will be experienced
in Health and Social Care. Therefore opportunity is provided
for candidates’ prior
experience and learning to be assessed and accredited. This will
form part of the candidates’ initial assessment.
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| Progression: |
The NVQ will
enable progression within and between levels and across both
sectors.
Laterally it will allow candidates who complete the requirements
for a full NVQ to take up Continuing Professional Development
opportunities through the optional and additional suites of
units. Vertically they will allow movement up to another level
across both sectors.
The Health and Social Care units will support progression
in employment in the following specialist areas:
- Management – residential adults, children and
young people and domiciliary work
- Drugs and Alcohol work
- Mental Health work
- Youth Justice work
- Rehabilitation work (especially for people with sensory
impairments)
- Some generic areas of Health
- Social Work
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