Step Up A Qualification for Learners Aged from 14 upwards NOCN Skills Toward Enabling Progression (Step UP) Qualifications

NOCN Skills Toward Enabling Progression (Step UP) Features Learners aged 14 upwards can be registered for the qualifications Flexible approach to qualification construction – “pick and mix” approach from 2 menus (mandatory and optional) Level 1 Step UP qualifications can be used as an alternative to GCSE (Grade D-G) Prepares learners for progression into vocational learning, foundations diplomas, GCSEs, employment Qualifications and units can be “banked” and, as units are gained, qualifications can build from the Award to Certificate to Diploma Spiky qualifications across levels to meet specific learner needs ie certificate and diploma Opportunity for converting or “flipping” some qualifications across levels Recognition of small amounts of learning Available at Entry 3 and Level 1

Requirements for using the Step UP Qualifications Agored Cymru Requirements: Learning organisations need to be a Recognised Centre or have partnership arrangements with one and be approved to use units within subject sectors Recognised Centres need to inform the Agored Cymru Business Development Team of their intention to deliver the Step UP Qualifications Agored Cymru need to provide a Step UP qualification briefing session; the qualification cannot be delivered if this has not taken place Learning organisations need to be registered with MIAP as a Learner Registration Body and have Unique Learner Numbers (ULN) for their learners

What is credit-based learning? Credit is a currency for recognising all types of learning Credit is a measure of the average notional hours it takes a learner to achieve a learning outcome Credit is measured in level and size The level is an indicator of the demand, complexity, depth of learning and learner autonomy and there are 9 levels – Entry to Level 8 One credit is equal to ten hours of notional learning

What is a unit? A unit is a coherent group of learning outcomes and assessment criteria at a particular level and credit value A unit can have a credit value of one or more Learning outcomes are statements of a learner’s knowledge and understanding and what they can do on completion of a learning process Assessment criteria are objectives used to judge learning achievement Can be assessed using a variety of assessment methods

How are the Step-UP qualifications structured? Develop your learning programme from 2 menus Mandatory Unit MenuOptional Unit Menu Basic Skills Personal and Social Education (PSE) Independent Living Skills (ILS) Work-related Education (WRE) Vocational Taster Opportunities Examples of units: Writing for Meaning Using Calculations Assertiveness and Decision Making Using Teamwork Skills Introduction to Drug Awareness Developing Personal Learning Skills Rights and Responsibilities Personal Career Planning Work Based Placement Personal Budgeting Units are available in the following subjects and many more… Construction Business & Administration Childcare Hairdressing Horticulture Vehicle Maintenance ITQ Music Environmental Studies

Compulsory unit for NOCN Entry 3 Diploma Step UP: Introduction to Personal Development HB1/E3/QQ/035 (L/501/5717) Qualification Title Total credits Min Mand credits GLHPoints NOCN Entry 3 Level Award for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF NOCN Entry 3 Level Certificate for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF NOCN Entry 3 Level Diploma for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF NOCN Level One Award for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF NOCN Level One Certificate for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF NOCN Level One Diploma for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF Step-UP Qualifications Rules of Combination

Qualification Title Min Entry 3 Credits Max Level 1 Credits Total Credits NOCN Entry 3 Level Certificate for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF 9615 NOCN Entry 3 Level Diploma for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF Qualification Title Min Level 1 Credits Max Entry 3 Credits Total Credits NOCN Level One Certificate for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF NOCN Level One Diploma for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF Step-UP Spiky Profiles Units within a qualification can be at different levels allowing for a spiky profile Spiky profiles must comply to the following rules Spiky profiles do not exist for the Step UP Award Qualifications

Minimum 9 credits at Entry 3 Total 15 credits Maximum 6 credits at Level 1 = Entry 3 Level Certificate for Step UP (Spiky Profile) Maximum 6 credits at Entry 3 Total 21 credits Minimum 15 credits at Level 1 = Level 1 Certificate for Step UP (Spiky Profile) 9 credits at Entry 3 already achieved – no more Entry 3 credits needed to convert 6 Level 1 credits already achieved – need 9 more Level 1 credits to convert Convert from Entry 3 to Level 1 Certificate Learner completes the Entry 3 Certificate then coverts it into a Level 1 Certificate by completing 9 more Level 1 credits Step-UP Certificate Spiky Profile Level Conversion

Entry 3 Award Step UP (500/3917/9) Level 1 Award Step UP (500/3918/0) Examples Entry 3 Award Course: Working in a Team Introduction to Teamwork Skills Entry 3 3 Credits m 3 credits 30 GLH Level 1 Award Course: Working with Music Developing DJ-ing Skills Level 1 3 Credits o 6 credits 54 GLH Developing Sound & Audio Production Skills Level 1 3 Credits o The Awards Spiky profiles not available for the Step-UP Award Qualifications Units can be used from both the mandatory and optional unit menus

Entry 3 Certificate Step UP (500/3919/2) Example Course: Citizenship and the Community Introduction to Aspects of Citizenship Entry 3 3 Credits Introduction to Living in the Community Entry 3 3 Credits Introduction to Understanding Diversity in Society Entry 3 3 Credits m mm Introduction to Assertiveness and Decision-making Skills Entry 3 3 credits Drug and Alcohol Awareness Entry 3 3 credits mm E3 Cert 15 credits 150 GLH min 3 mandatory credits max 12 optional credits min 9 Entry 3 credits max 6 Level 1 credits

Entry 3 Level Diploma Step UP (500/3993/3) Example - Spiky Profile Introduction to Personal Development Entry 3 1 credit Health and Safety Awareness Entry 3 1 credit Introduction to Skills for Employability Entry 3 3 credits Speaking and Listening: Listen and Respond Entry 3 1 credit Developing and Applying Measuring Skills Entry 3 1 credit Preparation for Production Skills Entry 3 3 credits Introduction to Assertiveness and Decision-making Entry 3 3 credits Developing Skills for Sowing and Growing Plants Entry 3 3 credits E3 Dip 37 credits 360 GLH min 9 mandatory credits max 28 optional credits min 24 Entry 3 credits max 12 Level 1 credits Course: Developing Horticulture Skills 1 of 2 m mm mo mo Compulsory unit for Entry 3 Diploma

Entry 3 Level Diploma Step UP (500/3993/3) contd… Example - Spiky Profile Developing Skills in Garden Horticulture Level 1 3 credits Understanding Growing and Sowing Techniques Level 1 3 credits Introduction to Planting in a Container Entry 3 3 credits Developing an Awareness of Soil Types & Garden Habitats Entry 3 3 credits Introduction to Propagation of Plants Entry 3 3 credits Introduction to Amenity Horticulture Skills Entry 3 3 credits Introduction to Garden Maintenance Skills Entry 3 3 credits o E3 Dip 37 credits 360 GLH min 9 mandatory credits max 28 optional credits min 24 Entry 3 credits max 12 Level 1 credits Course: Developing Horticulture Skills 2 of 2 o oo oo o

Level 1 Certificate Step UP (500/3916/7) Example – Spiky Profile Introduction to Teamwork Skills Entry 3 3 Credits Understanding a Work Experience Placement Entry 3 3 credits Understanding Play for Early Learning Level 1 3 Credits Understanding the Importance of Play Level 1 3 Credits Introduction to Food, Drink and Cooking Level 1 3 Credits Understanding Child Development Level 1 3 Credits Developing Skills in Caring for Young Children Level 1 3 Credits o m Course: Introduction to Child Care m m o o o L1 Cert 21 credits 189 GLH min 6 mandatory credits max 15 optional credits min 15 Level 1 credits max 6 Entry 3 credits

Level 1 Diploma Step UP (500/3830/8) Example – Spiky Profile Introduction to Aspects of Citizenship Entry 3 3 Credits Using Reading for Meaning Level 1 3 credits Developing Own Interpersonal Skills Level 1 3 Credits Personal Budgeting and Money Management Level 1 3 Credits Developing Customer Service Skills Level 1 3 Credits Introduction to Understanding Self and Others Entry 3 3 Credits Personal Career Planning Level 1 3 Credits m m m m m m Course: Preparation for Working Life Part 1 of 2 L1 Dip 39 credits 351 GLH min 9 mandatory credits max 30 optional credits min 30 Level 1 credits max 9 Entry 3 credits Understanding Working Patterns Level 1 1 credit m m

Level 1 Diploma Step UP (500/3830/8) contd… Example - Spiky Profile Understanding a Work Experience Placement Entry 3 3 credits Preparation for Work Level 1 3 credits Personal Career Preparation Level 1 1 credit Developing Group & Teamwork Communication Skills Level 1 3 credits Time Management Skills Level 1 3 credits Prepare for Interview Level 1 1 credit Work, Review and Plan Level 1 3 credits m L1 Dip 39 credits 351 GLH min 9 mandatory credits max 30 optional credits min 30 Level 1 credits max 9 Entry 3 credits Course: Preparation for Working Life Part 2 of 2 m mm mm m

Delivering the Step UP Qualifications The delivery method is flexible and non prescriptive and can be tailored to meet the interest and capability of the learner Existing learning resources and assessment tasks can be compared with the requirements of the unit or units that you want to deliver –Gaps can be identified and new learning resources and assessment tasks can be developed –You may not need to develop learning resources and assessment tasks from “scratch”, reducing workload as a result –You can identify assessment tasks that meet a number of assessment criteria, reducing the assessment workload for the learner and your organisation

Assessment Assessment is the judgement of evidence showing that learning has taken place and confirming that a learning outcome, or part of a learning outcome, has been achieved. The Step Up Qualifications are portfolio based and assessed by delivery staff Assessment evidence can be wide ranging and could include assignments, artefacts, observation checklists, portfolios and video recordings A maximum of one assessment task per assessment criterion unless task requires supplementary evidence eg observation checklist and verification observation The link between the assessment criterion and the assessment task needs to be obvious

Assessment Several assessment criteria may be assessed by one assessment task – ie maximising evidence All assessment tasks need to be cross-referenced to the assessment criteria in readiness for verification The unit assessment grid provides details of prescribed (compulsory) assessment tasks, these tasks must be produced Completion of the assessment tasks should not be burdensome An Assessment Strategy must be developed before programme/course delivery and communicated to everyone involved including learners, deliverers, assessors and quality assurance staff

Possible Sources of Assessment Evidence Questioning Listening Discussing Presentation Interviews Debates Audio recording Video recording Role play Simulation Performance Oral Tests Oral Questionnaires Diaries Reports Essays Notes Stories Scripts Articles Bullet lists Poems Written tests Case studies Cloze handouts Written Diagrams Sketches Drawings Graphs Maps Overlays Plans Exhibitions Graphic Models Artefacts Games Photos Webpages DVD Production Products

Access Arrangements/Reasonable Adjustments Access arrangements: help to reduce the effect of a disability or difficulty that places the learner at a substantial disadvantage in the assessment situation are based on demonstrable need must not affect the reliability or validity of assessment outcomes must not advantage or disadvantage the learner over other learners undertaking the same or similar assessment may not be need or allowed for the same learner across all assessment tasks

Access Arrangements/Reasonable Adjustments Access arrangements may involve: modifying assessment materials, such as modified print or language question papers providing appropriate assistance during assessment, such as a scribe, reader, practical assistant or sign interpreter re-organising the assessment physical environment using assistive technology, mechanical and electronic aids such as computer software alternative ways of presenting responses allowing extra time for the completion of assessment tasks

NOCN Step UP Qualification Guide and Unit Information The Step UP qualification guide and unit list are available on the National Open College Network (NOCN) website Follow the link below, scroll down and click on qualification guide or unit list to access Step UP qualification guide and unit lists qualifications If accessing through the website itself: -click the “Qualifications” tab -click the “QCF qualifications” tab -Scroll down and click on qualification guide or unit list to access Step UP Qualifications guide and unit lists

Agored Cymru NOCN Step UP Qualification Information This presentation is available in Learning Pathways Documents tab Follow the link below to access this presentation to be inserted If you require any further, please contact a member of Agored Cymru’s Business Development Team -South Wales Recognised Centres North Wales Recognised Centres

Qualification Title CostsAdditional Cost Information NOCN Entry Level Award for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF £15 If the learner completes the Award, the Certificate will cost an extra £30 NOCN Entry Level Certificate for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF £45 NOCN Entry Level Diploma for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF £90 NOCN Level One Award for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF £15 If the learner completes the Certificate, the Diploma will cost an extra £45 NOCN Level One Certificate for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF £45 NOCN Level One Diploma for Skills Towards Enabling Progression (Step-UP) QCF £90 Step-UP Qualification Costs