SVQ Advice and Guidance SCQF level 8

The Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Advice and Guidance at SCQF level 8 allow learners to demonstrate competence in job-related skills in their area of work and expertise.

Areas covered include developing interactions with clients, managing personal caseloads, working with clients to develop an action plan for implementation, and reviewing your contribution to services. The SVQ also covers supporting the safeguarding and protection of people from vulnerable groups, as well as providing support for practitioners and developing service delivery plans.

This qualification has been designed in partnership with the Sector Skills Council, Skills for Justice to ensure its relevance to the sector.

SVQs are based on National Occupational Standards (NOS). SQA works in partnership with other organisations to ensure that NOS are relevant to the current and future needs of Scottish industry.

This suite of qualifications is available primarily through employers and training providers.

Why deliver this qualification

Successful candidates will gain a nationally-recognised qualification which guarantee that they have the skills, knowledge and abilities required to carry out their role successfully at the appropriate level. Employers will also benefit from their employees achieving a skills-based qualification.

This SVQ is designed to be delivered in the workplace. Assessment is carried out in the workplace and based on actual work activities, which minimises the time learners would need to be away from their duties.

This SVQ has been designed to allow learners to demonstrate the range of skills required for providing Advice and Guidance in a variety of settings.

The SVQ 4 in Advice and Guidance introduces a higher level of skills, including management of personal caseloads, supporting colleagues in their work and providing negotiating and mediation services to clients.

Who does this qualification suit

The SVQ Level 4 is suitable experienced advisers who may also have management responsibilities or who operate in a senior role and wish to obtain a higher-level qualification to enhance their practice or for continuing professional development purposes.

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre.

Candidates should be in a job or placement where they are carrying out relevant tasks and responsibilities at the required level, which allow then to gather the required evidence.

No prior qualifications are required to undertake this qualification, although experience in/knowledge of the subject would be an advantage. 

Progression

The SVQ 4 Advice and Guidance at SCQF level 8 may provide progression to:

  • degree level study at a higher education institution

Approval

Specific subject expertise is required to deliver this qualification which is detailed in the Assessment Strategy. To gain approval for this qualification centres should complete and submit a Qualification Approval Application Form. The Business Development Team can provide guidance in completing this form.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements as outlined in the guide to approval.

How to assess

For general information on how to assess this qualification, please refer to the document Guidance on how to assess SVQs.   For detailed guidance on how to assess this particular SVQ, please refer to the Assessment Strategy.

Where can you take this course?

Qualification content and delivery tools

Information about the qualification(s)

Qualification Structure

Group Award Code: GL1M 24

The SVQ Advice and Guidance at SCQF level 8 mandatory Units and 4 optional Units.

For details of the Units making up the SVQ, please refer to the Qualification Structure.

National Occupational Standards

Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.

Core Skills signposting

Core Skill mappings are carried out by the SSC responsible for the development of an SVQ. It is a requirement of SQA Accreditation that every SVQ submission includes information on where possible opportunities for candidates to develop Core Skills exist across the mandatory units.

Centres should note that mappings are not audited or validated against the Core Skills framework/units so are not accepted by SQA awarding body as evidence towards achievement of the Core Skills units.

Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material

Assessment strategy

Assessor's guidelines

Candidate Guidance and Portfolio

Qualification Verification Summary Reports

Useful links