Housing Support Staff To Benefit From New National Skills Sets

Housing support staff throughout Scotland will soon be able to support their learning and development with the first national Skills Sets developed specifically for their sector which have now been launched by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

Skills Sets are guidance notes that can help employers, employees, training providers, students and assessors identify which SVQ units a candidate should study to be appropriately skilled for a particular area of work.

The Skills Sets highlight underpinning knowledge most relevant to candidates’ current area of work or an area of practice they may want to move into. With this information the Skills Sets can help people choose an appropriate learning path for their current responsibilities and future career, including supporting them to move from one service area to another.

For those already qualified, Skills Sets can help increase their expertise in a particular area without having to undertake entire new qualifications. They can guide the individual towards units which would be suitable to help them develop their expertise in a particular area.  

Wendy Johnston, Housing Project Officer at the SSSC commented: “The great thing about the Skills Sets for staff working in housing support roles is that they have been produced in a collaborative way by the SSSC in conjunction with housing support providers, the Scottish centres for excellence, SQA Care Scotland and City & Guilds Scotland.

She added “As well as employees, employers and students, we also expect the Skills Sets to be useful tools for training providers such as universities and colleges. These organisations are often asked for advice on course direction by candidates. The Skills Sets will help guide the candidate and training provider in the right direction in terms of the correct SVQ units to choose.”

The Skills Sets for staff working in housing support roles cover a range of skills and units which includes: support individuals to live at home; carry out assessment to identify and prioritise needs; enable individuals to access housing and accommodation.  
 
To request a FREE copy of the Skills Sets for staff working in housing support contact the SSSC on 0845 60 30 891 or email: [email protected]  

The following Skills Sets at different SVQ levels are also available on request:  dementia care; learning disability; physical disability; substance misuse; mental health; working with people with complex physical care needs; secure accommodation; drugs and alcohol.