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Vocational Courses

Vocational Qualifications (VQ's) are work-based qualifications that assess the skills and knowledge people need to perform their job role effectively.

The qualifications are based on the National Occupational Standards (NOS), which define what employees must be able to do and know, and how well they undertake work tasks and work roles.

These standards are defined by the Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) and National Training Organisations (NTOs) for health and social care, which is made up of representatives from the health and social care sector.

Each VQ is designed to fit into the Qualifications Credit Framework (QCF) which allows for the comparison of different qualifications in the UK and throughout Europe.

Who can do VQ?

VQs are open to all. The awarding body (Edexcel) has no entry requirements or age limits, but state in their 2006 code of practice that 'candidates must be competent in English or Welsh to the standard required for competent performance throughout the United Kingdom'. Candidates applying for VQs will require the support of their employer/manager. This is recorded on the application form.

VQ awards on offer

• Health & Social Care Diploma Level 2
• Health & Social Care Diploma Level 3
• Clinical Healthcare Support Diploma Level 2
• Clinical Healthcare Support Diploma Level 3
• Allied Health Professional Support Diploma Level 3
• Level 3 Certificate in Assessing the Quality of Assessment
• Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services Level 5
• Children and Young People's Residential Management
• Children and Young People's management
• Children and Young People's Advanced Practice
• Adults' Residential Management
• Adults' Management
• Adults' Advanced Practice
• VQ Diploma in Management Level 5
• VQ Certificate in Customer Service Level 2
• VQ Diploma in Customer Service Level

More information on the awards is available in the Institute Prospectus 2013 which is available to download at the bottom of this page. 

Which VQ is suitable for me/my staff?

A Diploma in Health and Social Care is available at level 2 and 3. This award is aimed at individuals working with either older people or children and young people in essential care environments, day care settings or palliative care. They are also suitable for those working with people with learning disabilities or challenging behaviour, as well as those in more supervisory positions with greater autonomy and authority. As part of the Diploma there are 3 optional pathways: Generic, Learning Disabilities and Dementia.

The Diploma includes 9 mandatory units covering:

• Personal Development
• Communication
• Equality and Inclusion
• Duty of Care
• Role of Health and Social Care Worker
• Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults
• Person-centred Support
• Health and Safety
• Handling Information

Contact Us

If you are interested in applying you can download the application form below and return to the VQ centre. If you would  like more information contact the VQ office by telephone or e-mail using the contact details at the bottom of this page.

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Document downloads

VQ Application Form pdf Code_of_Conduct_Healthcare_Support (2) Code of conduct for healthcare support workers and adult social care workers in England National minimum training standards for unregistered nurses National minimum training standards for healthcare support workers and adult social care workers in England

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Relevant links & information

The Institute Learning Pod Moodle Environment Institute Prospectus 2013 Digital Edition

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