QCFs have taken over from National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and are work-based qualifications through which the skills and knowledge people need to perform their jobs effectively are assessed.
The QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework) is a new way of recognising skills and qualifications. It does this by awarding credit for units (small steps of learning), enabling learners to gain qualifications at their own pace along flexible routes.
The QCF has four main aims:
- To ensure a wider range of achievements can be recognised within a more inclusive qualifications framework
- To establish a qualifications system that is more responsive to individual and employer needs
- To establish a simpler qualifications framework that is easier for all users to understand
- To reduce the burden of bureaucracy in the accreditation and assessment of qualifications.
- are nationally recognised
- are based on the Health and Social Care National Occupational Standards (NOS). The NOS, Assessment Principles and qualification structures are owned by Skills for Care and Development.
The qualifications aim to guide and assess the development of knowledge and skills relating to the health and social care workforce. These qualifications confirm competence in areas of health and social care where appropriate.
QCFs are open to everybody. You do not normally need to meet any entry requirements, or age restrictions, there is no fixed time in which to complete your QCF and you do not have to achieve it all at once. The only limitation is the lifetime of the qualification.
Sometimes candidates might need special assessment arrangements in order to provide equal opportunities to those with special learning and learning support requirements. You must talk with your assessor, tutor or employer if you think that you might need special arrangements.
and Northern Ireland (QCF) serves as the required qualification for
registration and regulatory requirements in the social care sector in Wales
and Northern Ireland.