Interacting with learning providers and Awarding Organisations

SfC&D works closely with awarding organisations (AOs) via its 'Awarding Organisation Forum', on which 29 AOs currently sit. If you would like to get in touch with one of those organisations, please visit the Careers in care section of this website.

SfC&D works closely with AOs to support the development of qualifications that equip those working in the care sector with the skills and knowledge they need.  Some of these qualifications are also used to regulate the workforce in parts of the UK, so they are very important for making sure that services in the sector are of a high quality.   In Scotland the key qualifications are Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs), which sit within the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF).  In England, Wales and N Ireland, SfC&D and AOs  have worked together to develop the new QCF qualifications for the sector, achieved a dramatic reduction of the number of award as the transition from NQF to QCF has taken place. From 328 qualifications for our sector, we have rationalised these to around 82 qualifications which now sit on the new framework - a significant reduction of 246!

With different qualifications conferring occupational competence on workers in the nations, some of which are also used for registration/regulation purposes, partners were asked to provide details of any additional units that they would require workers to attain in order to work in their nation. For full details on the agreed position of each partner please visit Cross Border Qualification Recognition. 

Our joint work in this area has been highlighted by the Skills funding Agency as an example of good practice. It will put employers and learners in a much better position to identify those qualifications which will meet their needs and which will support workers' career progression across the UK.

How to get involved

Please visit the 'Engage with us' section of this website to see what the current big issues are, and tell us what you think about them. Or, if you have a good idea and want to share it with us, please email sscinfo@skillsforcareanddevelopment.org.uk