Adults Health and Social Care Qualifications
Developing people’s potential to deliver quality services that make a difference.
Who we are
A small team of assessors and internal verifiers based within Adults Workforce Development in the Adults and Community Services Directorate at London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. The Assessment Team supports a number of external assessors and verifiers to provide a range of Health and Social Care QCF (Qualification Credit Framework) Qualifications.
What is a Health and Social Care QCF Qualification?
It is a nationally recognised qualification that reflects best practice based on National Occupational Standards devised by employment lead body representative of your area of work. In Social care this is Skills for Care. For further information see the Assessment Centre Leaflet
(pdf, 140KB).
Who is eligible?
Any member of staff providing a care service for residents in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames who work for the council or the Private Voluntary and Independent organisations or Self Directed Support. Follow the link for candidate eligibility(pdf, 109KB).
What Qualifications do we provide?
From January 2011 the HSC NVQs have been replaced with the following awards:
- Common Induction Standards
- HSC Diploma Level 2 and 3Leadership and Management in Care amalgamated with HSC Level 4, this award will be at level 5.
- All of the above are part of the new Qualification Credit Framework (QCF) for further information visit Skills for Carel web site.
What is the process?
A member of staff from the Assessment Centre meets with candidates prior to attending the workshops to establish the units to be achieved and any special needs. An induction is carried out followed by a number of workshops. Candidates are provided with a dedicated assessor who will support them throughout the process of gaining an award. Candidates have an option of using paper based portfolio or electronic version (e-portfolio) the Assessment Centre uses the One File system.
An application form is available:
(MS Word, 114KB)How do we support candidates?
Candidates are supported throughout the process of gaining their qualification. An assessor is allocated to each candidate and meets with them at least once a month to plan with them and give feedback on their progress.
- Pre screening interview to establish:
- Any support needs (literacy and numeracy linked with Richmond Adult College)
- If any additional work related training courses are needed
- What relevant prior learning/experience can be identified
- Workshops
- Occupationally competent Assessor and Internal Verifier
- Worksheets to assist in the collection of knowledge evidence
- Opportunity for distance learning through e-portfolio
- Dedicated assessor providing one to one support to meet individuals needs
- A range of resources
Feedback/Evaluations
Feedback from candidates and managers is integral to the development of the Assessment Centre. Following each workshop feedback is received regarding the content and the presentation of the workshop. On completion of a qualification a feedback form is sent to the candidate and their manager and the information gained is used towards monitoring the performance of the Assessment Centre.
The Centre achieved Charter Mark in July 2008 and received positive feedback following our assessment.
The Centre is inspected twice a year by the awarding body Edexcel and has consistently achieved excellent reports on the service provided to candidates.
Workshops
There is a rolling programme of workshops provided according to demand. Should a partner organisation or establishment have enough numbers a specific programme may be able to be provided.
Funding
May be available through Skills for Care to access this funding you need to join the Richmond Care Providers Partnership. This partnership meets quarterly to discuss training needs and HSC Qualifications. Further details and an application form(pdf, 19KB) to join the partnership.
Contact us
Contact the Centre Manager or Administrator at:
Assessment Centre
Adults Workforce Development
First Floor
Civic Centre
44 York Street
Twickenham TW1 3BZ
Email address: nvqteam@richmond.gov.uk
Tel. No: 020 8891 7936