NC Child, Health and Social Care SCQF level 5

The NC in Child, Health and Social Care at SCQF level 5 is designed to give candidates the underpinning knowledge required to work in a variety of care settings. Candidates will be able to apply that knowledge to care scenarios through case studies and will have the opportunity to undertake a placement in a care setting.

The NC provides the basic knowledge and skills that can then be built on for working within the Care sector.

National Certificates (NCs) are designed for full-time delivery over one year (or part-time over two years) and are available through schools, colleges and training providers.

Qualification structure

Group Award Code: G8XP 45 (72 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level: 5

Group Award Specification (443 KB)

Course Overview and Skills Development Summary - NC Child, Health and Social Care (808 KB)

The NC comprises a total of 72 SCQF credit points and is made up of the following three main sections.

  • 3 credit mandatory section
  • 6 credit optional mandatory section (choice of 3 Units from 6)
  • a selection of optional Units at SCQF level 5 and SCQF level 4 including external assessments.

Each Unit is worth 6 SCQF credit points.

Mandatory Units

  • Care: Human Development and Behaviour - Nat5 (H21875) (1.0)
  • Care: Social Influences - Nat5 (H21A75) (1.0)
  • Care: Values and Principles - Nat5 (H21C75) (1.0)

Optional Mandatory Units (minimum three credits, maximum six credits)

  • Child Development and Health — F19L 11
  • Play in Early Education and Childcare — DM41 11
  • Working In Early Education and Childcare — DM84 11
  • Families in Modern Society — F01C 11
  • Maintaining Safety in a Care Setting — F1P2 11
  • Healthy Eating in a Care Setting — F1P1 11

Optional Section

In determining the structure of the NC, careful consideration has been given to candidate progression, either into employment or further study. When considering the choice of optional Units centres should take account of:

  • the individual candidate
  • required criteria laid down by other bodies for candidate entry
  • requirements for employment
  • SFEFC course funding requirements.

A minimum of 6 SQA credits must be chosen from the optional sections to achieve the NC in Child, Health and Social Care. The chosen options must include three Units at SCQF level 5 to meet the NC criteria that credits must be at the level of the Award. Any Unit may be selected from the mandatory section as an optional Unit if it was not previously chosen as a mandatory Unit.

Some restrictions will apply to choices within these sections; for example, if the chosen Units are in a 'hierarchy' then only one level of the Unit can be credited to contribute to the NC. From the external assessment section, a maximum of three SQA credits can contribute to the NC.

Due to the flexibility of this NC there is a substantial number of Units in the optional section. Please refer to APS for more detail on the optional Units.

National Assessment Banks (NABs) are available on SQA's secure website for the following Units:

  • DM5T 11 - HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infections
  • F3G2 11 - Social Services in Scotland
  • F3G3 11 - Working with Individuals with Additional Support Needs
  • F3G4 11 - Understanding Loss and Grief
  • F3FX 11 - Working with Individuals in a Care Setting 

In addition SOLAR e-assessments have been developed and are available for:

  • F19L 11 -  Child Development and Health
  • F2CP 11 -  Children and Young People: Process of Play
  • F17X 12 -  Psychology for Care
  • F17Y 12 -  Sociology for Care
  • F17W 12 -  Values and Principles in Care
  • F19M 11 -  First Aid
  • DM5P 11 -  Prevention of Infection
  • DM5T 12 -  HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infections

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How to assess

Each individual Unit specification gives detailed information on the evidence requirements and approaches to assessment for each Unit. There is no overall external assessment but externally assessed Courses are available within the framework. There is also an opportunity for integration of Units.

Deliver this qualification

Why study this qualification

This qualification suits a wide range of candidates. It is ideally suited for:

  • school leavers
  • adult returners
  • those in employment in childcare, health care and social care as:
    • a basis for building good practice
    • recognition of prior learning
    • continuing professional development
    • progression to further study.

It prepares candidates for progression from school/college programmes to higher education, employment or further training within child care, social care or health care.

Mandatory and optional Units provide excellent opportunities for work placements and experiential learning.

It also:

  • Improves employability skills (time-keeping, appearance, customer care).
  • Enhances self-evaluation skills.
  • Encourages candidates to become reflective practitioners.
  • Develops citizenship.

Access

While entry requirements are at the discretion of the centre, candidates would benefit from attaining Standard Grade or Intermediate 1 (SCQF level 4) Courses or Units in Sciences, Social Sciences or other relevant subjects. Consideration should also be given to candidates with relevant experience.

This NC gives ample opportunity to develop skills which will increase the candidate's employability and citizenship. Aspects of the underpinning knowledge in the National Occupational Standards level 2 are reflected in this NC.

Some candidates will have gained National Qualifications in sciences or social sciences and these are transferable to the NC.

Employment and progression

This NC will provide candidates with a nationally recognised Group Award. The inclusion of component Units in two National Courses, ie Care and Early Education and Childcare in the mandatory section ensures academic rigour. Whilst the Units are mandatory, the external assessments are optional. Candidates who sit and achieve the external assessment enhance their academic profile.

The diversity of the optional framework creates vocational pathways and choices for candidates to progress to higher education, employment or further training within childcare, health care or social care.

This NC will provide the underpinning knowledge and skills to undertake higher education or further training in social care for candidates wishing to progress and attain registration at support worker level with Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).

Qualification structure

Group Award Code: G8XP 45 (72 SCQF credit points)
SCQF level: 5

Group Award Specification (443 KB)

Course Overview and Skills Development Summary - NC Child, Health and Social Care (808 KB)

The NC comprises a total of 72 SCQF credit points and is made up of the following three main sections.

  • 3 credit mandatory section
  • 6 credit optional mandatory section (choice of 3 Units from 6)
  • a selection of optional Units at SCQF level 5 and SCQF level 4 including external assessments.

Each Unit is worth 6 SCQF credit points.

Mandatory Units

  • Care: Human Development and Behaviour - Nat5 (H21875) (1.0)
  • Care: Social Influences - Nat5 (H21A75) (1.0)
  • Care: Values and Principles - Nat5 (H21C75) (1.0)

Optional Mandatory Units (minimum three credits, maximum six credits)

  • Child Development and Health — F19L 11
  • Play in Early Education and Childcare — DM41 11
  • Working In Early Education and Childcare — DM84 11
  • Families in Modern Society — F01C 11
  • Maintaining Safety in a Care Setting — F1P2 11
  • Healthy Eating in a Care Setting — F1P1 11

Optional Section

In determining the structure of the NC, careful consideration has been given to candidate progression, either into employment or further study. When considering the choice of optional Units centres should take account of:

  • the individual candidate
  • required criteria laid down by other bodies for candidate entry
  • requirements for employment
  • SFEFC course funding requirements.

A minimum of 6 SQA credits must be chosen from the optional sections to achieve the NC in Child, Health and Social Care. The chosen options must include three Units at SCQF level 5 to meet the NC criteria that credits must be at the level of the Award. Any Unit may be selected from the mandatory section as an optional Unit if it was not previously chosen as a mandatory Unit.

Some restrictions will apply to choices within these sections; for example, if the chosen Units are in a 'hierarchy' then only one level of the Unit can be credited to contribute to the NC. From the external assessment section, a maximum of three SQA credits can contribute to the NC.

Due to the flexibility of this NC there is a substantial number of Units in the optional section. Please refer to APS for more detail on the optional Units.

National Assessment Banks (NABs) are available on SQA's secure website for the following Units:

  • DM5T 11 - HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infections
  • F3G2 11 - Social Services in Scotland
  • F3G3 11 - Working with Individuals with Additional Support Needs
  • F3G4 11 - Understanding Loss and Grief
  • F3FX 11 - Working with Individuals in a Care Setting 

In addition SOLAR e-assessments have been developed and are available for:

  • F19L 11 -  Child Development and Health
  • F2CP 11 -  Children and Young People: Process of Play
  • F17X 12 -  Psychology for Care
  • F17Y 12 -  Sociology for Care
  • F17W 12 -  Values and Principles in Care
  • F19M 11 -  First Aid
  • DM5P 11 -  Prevention of Infection
  • DM5T 12 -  HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infections

Unit search