Regulation of care workers makes qualifications essential

In April 2009, the Scottish Government passed the Regulation of Care (Fitness of Employees in Relation to Care Services) Scotland Act to ensure people working with children and adults are registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

To register, applicants must meet the criteria set out by the SSSC which includes having the required qualifications for their job which must be achieved within the first three years of registration.

Workers in the Health and Social Care sector may not have heard of current legislation or know where they can study to achieve their qualifications.  Stevenson College Edinburgh offers accredited courses in Care and Social Care, and these courses start in January.

Stevenson offers the SVQ Health and Social Care Levels 2, 3, 4, SVQ in Children’s Care Learning and Development, HNC Social Care, including a new course PDA Supervising Staff in Health and Social Care.

Stevenson College Edinburgh, SVQ Care Co-ordinator, Dorothy Nimmo, said: “Care workers should be aware of the current legislation and how it will affect them in their present career and also for any future professional qualifications they may wish to take.  Studying for a qualification needn’t be daunting.  Stevenson College provides well developed methods of delivery to support candidates embarking on their SVQ.”

The SVQs in Health and Social Care are designed to develop and assess the skills that are essential for staff working in the Health or Social Care work environment.  These courses also meet qualification requirements under the Regulation of Care Scotland Act 2001.

There are different course delivery methods on offer. In addition to traditional classroom-based delivery methods and use of paper based portfolios, Stevenson also has also online learning and e-portfolios. 

The SVQ Children’s Care Learning and Development Level 2 are for staff working in a childcare and early years setting in a supportive worker role.

The level 3 SVQ is appropriate for staff working in a childcare and early years setting in a Practitioner role.  Achievement of these qualifications enables the candidates to register with the Scottish Social Services Council.  The course consists of ten evening sessions in the College and thereafter, students work with their SVQ Assessor on a one-to-one basis.

The HNC Social Care is for people who have experience of working in a Social Care setting, and who have the ability to develop personal skills and qualities appropriate to work in caring professions. It also gives entry qualifications for Social Work degree programmes.

PDA Supervising Staff in Health and Social Care is a new course starting on January for professionals already working in the Health and Care Industry and focuses primarily on the supervision of staff within a Care setting.

Some of these courses are also eligible for an ILA, so students could receive up to £200 towards the cost of the course, or £500 towards a part-time HNC – providing they earn less than £22,000.