Hi, I would like to know the difference between the care certificate and NVQ level 2 qualification.
Thanks
Answered by Sheila Scott
Dear V,
Thank you for your question.
To begin with the Care Certificate:
When a member of care staff is brand new to care work the Care Certificate is the basic training to be delivered within the first six months of employment. For some, the training may be delivered more quickly and for others, it may take longer but six months is the expected time it will take.
For any new member of staff new to your service but who has been working in care before, the Registered Manager must confirm that the person has completed the Care Certificate and has the competencies required by the Care Certificate. Additionally, any new member of staff should also receive induction training relating to the particular service.
To turn then to NVQ Level 2:
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) were replaced by the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) several years ago and the current qualification you are referring to is known as a QCF level 2 Diploma in Care.
It is important though to note that the QCF qualifications itself will be withdrawn to make way for the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) from 1st January 2018. (There is plenty of guidance about this on the Skills for Care website beginning here: http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Learning-development/Qualifications/New-qualifications.aspx )
I believe that you should also refer to the Care Quality Commission(CQC) website which gives information about a Registered Managers responsibilities around training and qualified staff. This can be found in the section relation to training and specifically Regulation 18: Staffing; Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014
http://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/regulations-enforcement/regulation-18-staffing
I hope this is helpful.
With best wishes,
Sheila
About Sheila Scott
Sheila Scott OBE from National Care Association (NCA). Care is Sheila’s life; she possesses a strong command of the issues facing the care sector informed by her long career as a nursing professional, the owner and manager of a care business and as a leader in the care sector. 3.Read more
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