SVQ Centre - Scottish Drugs Forum

The SVQ
Centre

SDF is an accredited SVQ Centre. We deliver Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) accredited training in Advice and Guidance, Community Development, and Social Services and Healthcare.

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ABOUT THE SVQ CENTRE

SDF’s SVQ Centre offers SQA quality assured vocational learning to the drug, alcohol, and wider social care workforce.

The Centre was launched in 2021 to ensure the drug and alcohol workforce is supported through tailored delivery to gain the qualifications that meet the expectations of employers.

The Centre primarily provides Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQ) in Social Services and Healthcare – the industry standard qualification for the social care field including the drug and alcohol sector.

The Centre is also approved by SQA to deliver vocational qualifications in Advice and Guidance, and Community Development.

The SVQ Centre offers Scottish Vocational Qualifications in:

Social Services and Healthcare SVQs offer learners the opportunity to build a portfolio of work and evidence that demonstrates sound competence, alongside the knowledge required to achieve the current industry standard for the drug and alcohol field, suitable for registration with the Scottish Social Services Council.

Areas covered include: legislation relevant to the social care field; Scottish Social Services Council and Health and Social Care Standards; challenging behaviour; anti-discriminatory practice; adult support and protection; human development theories; and equalities and recovery.

All candidates have one to one support from a dedicated, workplace assessor who will guide them through the award from pre-programme support to completion.

Advice and Guidance (level 3 and level 4)

The National Occupational Standards, Assessment Strategy and Award Structure for Advice and Guidance SVQs have been developed by the sector skills council, Skills for Justice.

Areas covered at level 3 include: communicating with potential clients; supporting clients to make use of services; reviewing your contribution to services; developing and managing interviews with clients; and working with clients to develop an action plan for implementation and acting as a mentor to colleagues.

At level 4 award 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.

Following a selection of 4 workshops, Candidates are allocated an SVQ assessor who will guide them through the award and support them to build a portfolio of evidence.

Community Development (level 3 and level 4)

The SVQs in Community Development have been developed by the CLD Standards Council for Scotland and are intended for people working with and within different community groups with shared interests, needs or demographics.

Community Development awards cover areas such as: getting to know communities; supporting inclusive and collective working; self-development; organising community events and activities; and advising on organisational structures using community development perspectives.

Following a selection of 4 workshops, candidates are allocated an SVQ assessor who will guide them through the award and support them to build a portfolio of evidence.

3

3 qualifications currently available to the workforce through the SDF SVQ Centre

60

up to 60 people per year engaging in work-based qualifications

26

high confidence continually awarded to the SVQ Centre by SQA in 26 Quality Assurance Criteria

14

Work based qualifications have been provided to people working in 14 local authority areas in Scotland.

The Enhanced Skills SVQ Programme

The Enhanced Skills SVQ programme combines specialist drug and alcohol training, with Social Services and Healthcare vocational learning.

This offers employers the opportunity to purchase SVQ assessment and verification, alongside a selection of specialist training.

A minimum of 5 learners are required for the enhanced skills offer – to discuss the needs of your organisation please contact: svqcentre@sdf.org.uk

I started my SVQ level 2 in Social Services and Healthcare journey with SDF, and I am blown away with the support and knowledge I have received. My assessor went above and beyond to support me. Having just completed the level 2 award and secured a new job, I am starting my level 3 in with SDF now.

I would not want to carry this journey with anyone else. The SVQ Centre team are so committed to developing my understanding and they give me the best opportunities for my learning and development.’’

I enjoyed the relevance of the course. I was able to put into practice all the knowledge I had gained all the way throughout the SVQ and use it in my placement. I liked the pace of the learning too.

I really enjoyed learning about legislation and policies. It has given me so much more knowledge regarding how the law protects vulnerable people and people working in the services.  I felt supported throughout. My assessor is an expert in her field, and I had confidence in the support she gave me. She was also very approachable and friendly. Her support and feedback have given me a boost in my self-esteem.

My assessor was absolutely fantastic – a very calming influence when explaining anything, a natural motivator. My whole time during the qualification was inspirational as I was guided to question my own thoughts and beliefs in a way that made me analyse my professional conduct and performance and to then take it into everyday practice where I continually want to improve

I really enjoyed building new relationships with other SVQ candidates and the teaching was excellent. The information was delivered in a way that I could understand, and the trainer took time to explain things I didn’t quite get while also making the sessions fun and engaging. My assessor gave me such great support and took time to give me all the guidance I needed – she has the patience of a saint!

Gaining qualifications through the SVQ Centre

SDF’s SVQ Centre offers a unique route to achieve professional qualifications, with an organisation that shares the experience, perspectives, and values of the field.

You can apply to take part as an individual learner or as an employer looking to train members of your staff team.

Improve workplace and practical skills.

Learn how legislation and occupational standards affect and guide practice.

Gain a depth of knowledge through quality assured training, and self-directed learning.

Understand the value of continued reflective practice.

Have their expertise formally recognised through an industry standard qualification.

A supportive learning environment for employees to think about the work they do and how policies and procedures affect their practice.

A measure of quality assurance against individual work practice

A deeper understanding by employees of legislation and occupational standards, embedded and practised within service delivery.

There are two intakes of SVQ candidates each year

For more information please contact svqcentre@sdf.org.uk

Costs and funding:

Fees to undertake an SQA quality assured course with SDF is determined by the level of qualification and supplementary training requested.

If you want more information about costs and funding contact: svqcentre@sdf.org.uk

The SVQCentre