1. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE SVQs Focus for 2008 Suzie Erasmuson Senior EV for Health and Social Care SVQs

2. Good Practice Assessment planning. Assessment planning. Holistic approach to evidence gathering. Holistic approach to evidence gathering. Assessor support and flexibility. Assessor support and flexibility. IV support of assessors. IV support of assessors. Centres commitment to ensuring best practice. Centres commitment to ensuring best practice.

3. Key areas to Focus On The Assessment Strategy for the group award. The Assessment Strategy for the group award. The unit guidance. The unit guidance. Knowledge specification. Knowledge specification. Reflective accounts. Reflective accounts. Observations. Observations. Selection of assessors and verifiers. Selection of assessors and verifiers.

4. Assessment Strategy It has been produced by the UK Joint Project for Health and Social Care (which includes the SSSC). It has been produced by the UK Joint Project for Health and Social Care (which includes the SSSC). The guidance on gathering evidence and evidence requirements has been agreed by the joint awarding bodies and MUST be adhered to. The guidance on gathering evidence and evidence requirements has been agreed by the joint awarding bodies and MUST be adhered to. All candidates, assessors and IVs should have read this before embarking on the award. All candidates, assessors and IVs should have read this before embarking on the award.

5. Unit Guidance Provides information about observation requirements for the unit. Provides information about observation requirements for the unit. Provides additional guidance for the unit. Provides additional guidance for the unit. Candidates and assessors MUST read it before embarking on the unit. Candidates and assessors MUST read it before embarking on the unit.

6. Knowledge Specification In order to claim knowledge points candidates must show that they: Know Know Understand Understand Can apply it to practice. Can apply it to practice. It cannot be inferred. It cannot be inferred.

7. Knowledge - Legislation Know - would suggest the title and the date of the Act of Parliament. Know - would suggest the title and the date of the Act of Parliament. Understand - would be to explain what it is about. Understand - would be to explain what it is about. Apply to practice - is to detail what it means for you in your work role. Apply to practice - is to detail what it means for you in your work role. Know = Data Protection Act 1998. Know = Data Protection Act 1998. Understand = An act which covers how information is obtained, stored and shared lawfully. Understand = An act which covers how information is obtained, stored and shared lawfully. Application = I can only obtain information relevant to the care of the service user and use that information for the purposes of their care, I must store any information securely and not permit unauthorised access, I must not share any information without the permission of the service user. Application = I can only obtain information relevant to the care of the service user and use that information for the purposes of their care, I must store any information securely and not permit unauthorised access, I must not share any information without the permission of the service user.

8. Knowledge - Theories A number of units refer to theories in the knowledge specification. Know, understand, apply to practice means:- Name of a theory, theorist, date. Name of a theory, theorist, date. What are the key points of this theory? What are the key points of this theory? How is it relevant to practice and the subject of the unit? How is it relevant to practice and the subject of the unit?

9. Knowledge – Codes and Standards Codes of practice and National Care Standards appear in the majority of units. Which standards/codes of practice are the candidates working to? Which standards/codes of practice are the candidates working to? Refer to specifics of the standards. Refer to specifics of the standards. Say how these are met through practice. Say how these are met through practice.

10. Reflective Accounts Actual Pieces of real work practice. Actual Pieces of real work practice. On Specific occasions - not generalised statements of everyday work practice. On Specific occasions - not generalised statements of everyday work practice. Written in the first person – I not we. Written in the first person – I not we. A story about a piece of practice. A story about a piece of practice. 5WH – Who, when, where, what, why how? 5WH – Who, when, where, what, why how?

11. Observations Actual Work Practice. Actual Work Practice. On a specific occasion. On a specific occasion. Not simulation. Not simulation. Usually covers performance criteria rather than knowledge specification. Usually covers performance criteria rather than knowledge specification.

12. Selection of Assessors Refer to the assessment strategy. Must be occupationally competent in the units they assess. Must be occupationally competent in the units they assess. Must be knowledgeable about legislation & codes of practice in relation to health and social care settings. Must be knowledgeable about legislation & codes of practice in relation to health and social care settings. Their competence and experience should be demonstrated through evidence of CPD. E.g. possession of a Care qualification at SVQ Level 3 or above and a minimum of 2 years care experience. Their competence and experience should be demonstrated through evidence of CPD. E.g. possession of a Care qualification at SVQ Level 3 or above and a minimum of 2 years care experience. Must hold or be working towards the assessor qualification Must hold or be working towards the assessor qualification

13. Selection of IVs Refer to the assessment strategy Must be occupationally knowledgeable in respect of the units which they will verify, including legislation and codes of practice. Must be occupationally knowledgeable in respect of the units which they will verify, including legislation and codes of practice. Must understand the nature and context of health and social care settings. Must understand the nature and context of health and social care settings. Must hold qualifications and/or have experience equivalent to or above that of the assessor. Must hold qualifications and/or have experience equivalent to or above that of the assessor. Should occupy a position of authority which allows them to co-ordinate the work of assessors. Should occupy a position of authority which allows them to co-ordinate the work of assessors. Must hold or be working towards the IV qualification. Must hold or be working towards the IV qualification.

14. Workshops Using the assessment strategy and unit guidance we will cover the following in groups facilitated by an EV. Reflective account workshop – look at the examples and discuss/comment. Reflective account workshop – look at the examples and discuss/comment. Observation workshop – look at examples and discuss/comment. Observation workshop – look at examples and discuss/comment. Assessor/Verifier selection workshop – select assessors and IVs from the list and allocate them to the candidates. Assessor/Verifier selection workshop – select assessors and IVs from the list and allocate them to the candidates.