Qualification Specification - NOCN · Staff working in domiciliary home care providing care to the elderly and infirm Other NHS staff where applicable. The qualification is suitable

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Ve rsion: November 2010 NOCN will insert the front and back pages when the Qual Guide is received as part of the electronic submission package. FRONT PAGE

NOCN Level 3 Award in Inducting Others in the Assisting and Moving of Individuals in Social Care (QCF)

Qualification Approval No. 600/1774/0

Version 3.5 June 2015

Qualification Specification


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Introduction

NOCN has been providing a qualification and accreditation service to providers across the UK for over 25 years and is justifiably proud of its reputation as, “…a provider of fully accessible, trusted and flexible qualification and accreditation services”. Over the years, NOCN has worked effectively with centres for the benefit of learners across the country, with a mutual interest in providing a continuously improving service. NOCN, whilst retaining all the advantages of being a national body, has always provided a personal, bespoke service to its customers and prides itself on its local presence and expertise within communities. This document details the qualification specification and provides guidance to the training provider on assessment criteria and evidence requirements.


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Contents

1. About the qualification ......................................................................... 4

2. Who the qualification is for ................................................................... 6

3. Achieving the qualification ................................................................. 10

4. The qualification units ........................................................................ 11

5. How the qualification is assessed ...................................................... 18

6. Offering the qualification .................................................................... 21

7. Quality assurance and national standardisation ................................ 22


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1. About the qualification

The NOCN Level 3 Award in Inducting Others in the Assisting and Moving of Individuals in Social Care (QCF) has been developed in partnership with Skills for Care and Development in consultation with employers. It is part of a suite of qualifications in assisting and moving individuals that has been developed to support government strategies to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in assisting and moving people in a variety of settings. The development of this qualification is underpinned by changing needs which are based on:

the regulatory requirements set by the Care Quality Commissions (CQC) National Minimum Standards in relation to the health, safety and welfare of service users and staff

strong political and strategic directives in each of the UK countries

the roll-out of the personalisation agenda and increased informed choice

the move from a ‘gift’ to ‘rights’ model of service provision in care

‘new ways of working’ and new ways to configure services that will optimise care and health care with a skilled, multidisciplinary and responsive workforce

the increasingly diverse nature of employers, including micro-employers and those working across traditional boundaries

changes to registration, regulation requirements and policy drivers affecting practice.

The qualification has been approved by the qualifications regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland and is part of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and may be eligible for SFA funding. What the Qualification Aims to Do The NOCN Level 3 Award in Inducting Others in the Assisting and Moving of Individuals in Social Care (QCF) aims to cover the workplace induction of those involved in the assisting and moving of people as part of their care and support plan by:

developing knowledge and understanding of awareness of the importance of manual handling; or the assisting and moving people

developing understanding of health and safety in relation to assisting and moving of people and includes the reduction of injury to themselves and others

developing knowledge and skills of the strategies, techniques and equipment use in the assisting and moving of people

confirming competence in the area of assisting and moving individuals where appropriate

raising awareness of issues of safeguarding, learning disability and disability, mental health, sensory loss, dementia care, causes and prevention of infection and infection control, mobility and therapeutic awareness.


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Although the qualification confirms competence in the area of assisting and moving where appropriate, it cannot be used for registration and regulation purposes. In order to gain registered status for regulatory purposes, learners will need to progress to the relevant QCF Health and Social Care Diploma. Guided Learning Hours Guided Learning Hours (GLH) are a guide to the amount of teacher-supervised or directed study time a learner will need to complete the learning needed for a qualification. NOCN recognises that every learner is different and the actual time taken may vary beyond the maximum and minimum shown. Training providers not reliant on public funding measured by glh may find them a useful guide to the recommended length of a programme of study. The learning hours can be divided in any way, for example, a 20 glh hour programme could be delivered in 2 hours a week for 10 weeks or 8 hours a day for 3 days, depending on the course and learners. The recommended Guided Learning Hours for the NOCN Level 3 Award in Inducting Others in the Assisting and Moving of Individuals in Social Care (QCF) are 40. Relationship with National Occupational Standards The NOCN Level 3 Award in Inducting Others in the Assisting and Moving of Individuals in Social Care (QCF) is related to the National Occupational Standards (NOS) developed by Skills for Care and Development (reference HSC223). It provides a significant amount of knowledge, understanding and skills development that underpins occupational competence in moving and handling people. Language Requirements If you wish to offer this qualification in Welsh or Irish (Gaeilge) then please contact NOCN who will review demand and provide as appropriate. Northern Ireland Entitlement Framework For more information on the Entitlement Framework, centres in Northern Ireland should contact OCN NI www.ocnni.org.uk.

http://www.ocnni.org.uk/


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2. Who the qualification is for

The NOCN Level 3 Award in Inducting Others in the Assisting and Moving of Individuals in Social Care (QCF) is aimed at a range of occupational areas in the NHS and other statutory, private and voluntary agencies and informal caring situations. Workers may include roles such as:

Care assistants/support workers/key workers in residential settings

Healthcare assistants/support workers in community and primary care environments, support workers in acute health environments

Care assistants/support workers/key workers in domiciliary services and day services

Support workers in supported living projects

Community-based care assistants/support workers/key workers, including those working in specialist areas, for example, dementia, learning disabilities

Family support workers

Informal and family carers

Personal assistants employed directly by the individual they support or their families

Emerging new types of workers and multidisciplinary health roles crossing traditional service barriers and delivery models

Foster carers providing long term care to children and young people with disabilities or complex needs

Short break carers providing short term care for children and young people with disabilities or complex needs

Staff working in residential childcare with children and young people with disabilities or complex needs

Staff working in domiciliary home care providing care to children and young people with disabilities or complex needs

Staff working in domiciliary home care providing care to the elderly and infirm

Other NHS staff where applicable.

The qualification is suitable for those who are working in a supervisory or managerial role with responsibility for the inducting and/or training of staff and/or carers in the health and social care sector. Restrictions on Learner Entry The minimum age for access to the qualification is 16 years. Learners must be working in a supervisory and/or managerial role with individuals and have the responsibility for inducting and/or training personnel in assisting and moving people.


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As this qualification is to confirm occupational competence it will be assessed primarily in the workplace; therefore, learners will need to be in a situation where they are employed, working as an informal carer/family carer or a supervised volunteer. There may be some separate assessment of knowledge and skills in the unit. This is in line with a number of other sector specific qualifications offered by NOCN and should follow the Skills for Care Assessment Principles. Training providers will need to ensure that there are rigorous safeguards in place for those accessing this qualification, as well as being flexible enough to avoid excluding assessment opportunities unnecessarily. The qualification is aimed at learners who may work in diverse settings and who will be assisting and moving individuals who have a range of abilities. Entry Requirements The NOCN Level 3 Award in Inducting Others in the Assisting and Moving of Individuals in Social Care (QCF) is aimed at those who are already working in supervisory and/or managerial roles with individuals in range of diverse settings and contexts and who will be assisting and moving people who have a range of abilities.


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QCF Level Descriptors Level Summary Knowledge and

understanding Application and action

Autonomy and accountability

Level 3

Achievement at level 3 reflects the ability to identify and use relevant understanding, methods and skills to complete tasks and address problems that, while well defined, have a measure of complexity. It includes taking responsibility for initiating and completing tasks and procedures as well as exercising autonomy and judgment within limited parameters. It also reflects awareness of different perspectives or approaches within an area of study or work.

Use factual, procedural and theoretical understanding to complete tasks and address problems that, while well defined, may be complex and non-routine. Interpret and evaluate relevant information and ideas. Be aware of the nature of the area of study or work. Have awareness of different perspectives or approaches within the area of study or work.

Address problems that, while well defined, may be complex and non-routine. Identify, select and use appropriate skills, methods and procedures. Use appropriate investigation to inform actions. Review how effective methods and actions have been.

Take responsibility for initiating and completing tasks and procedures, including, where relevant, responsibility for supervising or guiding others. Exercise autonomy and judgment within limited parameters.

Extracted from QCF level descriptor’s document on QCDA’s website October 2008


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Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of prior learning is an assessment method leading to the award of credit. The process involves considering if a learner can meet the specified assessment requirements for a unit through knowledge, understanding or skills that they possess already as a consequence of which they do not need to undertake a course of learning.

Centres are encouraged to recognise the previous achievements and experiences, both formal, for example through accredited units or qualifications or informal, for example through continuous learning. This involves the recognition of achievement from a range of activities that will have been assessed through any valid method of assessment. When using the process of the recognition of prior learning, it is essential that the assessment requirements of a specific unit or, more exceptionally, a qualification have been met. The evidence of learning provided must be sufficient, reliable, authentic and valid. Evidence is not time-limited.

Progression Opportunities The NOCN Level 3 Award in Inducting Others in the Assisting and Moving of Individuals in Social Care (QCF) enables progression to further opportunities in employment and further training and learning opportunities within employment. Learners with Particular Requirements Assessment within the NOCN Level 3 Award in Inducting Others in the Assisting and Moving of Individuals in Social Care (QCF) is designed to be accessible and inclusive. The unit based approach allows flexibility through enabling learners to achieve the qualification in stages. The assessment methodology is appropriate and rigorous for individuals or groups of learners. If you have learners with particular requirements you should refer to the ‘Access to Fair Assessment Policy and Procedure’ which can be found in the NOCN Centre Handbook area of the NOCN website within the Learning Providers’ section. This section gives clear guidance on the reasonable adjustments and arrangements that can be made to take account of disability or learning difficulty without compromising the achievement of the assessment criteria. The NOCN Centre Recognition process requires policy statements on Equal Opportunities and Diversity and Disability Discrimination. These policy statements are then checked and confirmed through the Quality Review and Risk Assessment processes.


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3. Achieving the qualification

Rules of Combination In order to achieve the NOCN Level 3 Award in Inducting Others in the Assisting and Moving of Individuals in Social Care (QCF) the learner must achieve a total of 5 credits from one mandatory unit, Provide a Workplace Induction in the Assisting and Moving of Individuals. There are no optional units in this qualification. Achievement Methodology

The qualifications are awarded to learners who successfully meet the Rules of Combination set out above. Assessment for each unit is designed by the Centre in accordance with the NOCN Assessment Definitions Document and the Skills for Care and Development Assessment Principles. There is no further assessment to achieve the qualification. Further details of how the qualification is assessed are given in Section 5. How the qualification is assessed.

http://www.nocn.org.uk/download?documentId=8886



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4. The qualification units

Please click on the hyperlink below to access the unit from the NOCN website.

NOCN Unit Code Ofqual Unit Reference Unit Title

Mandatory or Optional

Credit Value Level Sector

PL7/3/QQ/002 R/503/5645 Provide a Workplace Induction in the Assisting and Moving of Individuals Mandatory 5 3 1.3

The assessment activities for the unit are indicated in the Assessment Information Grid on the individual unit. An explanation of the kind of activity, assessment and evidence expected at the appropriate level is on the following pages.

http://www.nocn.org.uk/control/QCF_1/3/pl73qq002.pdf

NOCN Level 3 Award in Inducting Others in The Assisting and Moving of Individuals in Social Care (QCF)

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Assessment Definitions Case Studies Consideration of a particular, relevant situation or example, selected by the tutor or by learners, which enables learners to apply knowledge to specific situations. May be used as a collective / group activity and discussed in a group of learners or by an individual learner. OR may be used with individual learners as a written activity through case study materials and learner responses.

Activity Assessed by Evidence

Level Three

Case studies should allow the application of knowledge in a range of complex areas, in a variety of familiar and unfamiliar contexts. Discussion should be guided but self-directed (group). Written work should allow for autonomy, evaluation and reasoned judgements to be made (GL = 1000 words).

Assessed through peer assessment, self-assessment, tutor observation or assessment or written work.

Evidence could include tutor record, learner record, peer checklist, summary of discussion, audio / video / photographic record or written work.

The learning may be assessed by:

Tutor observation

Class discussion

One to one

Group tutorial discussion Evidence could include:

Tutor record of observation

Learner notes

Summary of class discussion

Tutorial notes

Audio/video/photographic record


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Written Question and Answer

Specific, open and closed questions for immediate response. Can range from formal exams and tests, to a quick, fun way of finding out where learners are up to, for example, a quiz. Allows response and questioning from learners and feedback from tutor.

The learning may be assessed through:

Responses by individual learners.

May make use of on-line assessment.

Evidence could include:

Written questions

Learner responses

Tutor feedback


Level Three

Questions should cover a wide range of knowledge and contexts, and allow responses to unfamiliar and unpredictable problems. Learners should be encouraged to make use of / interpret knowledge rather than just testing recall. The process may be time limited.

Assessed by tutor or external marker (for exams / tests).

Evidence to include written responses and may also include learner responses and tutor feedback.

Oral Question and Answer

Specific, open or closed questions for immediate response. Can range from quite formal questions, for example, an oral test, to a quick, fun way of finding out where learners are up to, for example, a quiz. Allows response and questioning from learners and immediate feedback from tutor.

The learning may be assessed through:

Responses by both tutor and individual learners.

Evidence could include:

Tutor record/notes

Learner notes or log

Audio/video record


Level Three

Questions should cover a wide range of knowledge and contexts. They should allow responses to unfamiliar and unpredictable problems. The process may be time limited and formal, or may be a structured two-way discussion.

Assessed by tutor, with a degree of self-assessment and evaluation of own learning.

Evidence could include tutor record, learner log or audio / video record.


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Role Play / Simulation Use of a situation selected by the tutor or by learners, to enable learners to practice and apply skills and to explore attitudes. The learning may be assessed by:

Tutor / peer observation.

One to one tutorial.

Discussion.

Self-assessment. Evidence could include:

Tutor record of observation.

Learner notes.

Tutor lesson plan.

Tutorial notes.

Audio / video / photographic record.

Learner log.


Level Three

Role-plays should allow the application of skills in a range of complex areas and in a variety of familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

Assessed through tutor / peer observation, one to one tutorial, discussion and self-assessment.

Evidence could include tutor record of observation, learner notes, tutor lesson plan, tutorial notes, audio / video / photographic record or learner log.


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Written description Consideration of a particular subject, situation or example selected by the tutor or by learners, which enables learners to apply knowledge to specific situations and to present them in written format. The learning may be assessed by:

Tutor.


Discussion. Evidence could include:


Learner notes.

Tutorial notes.

Completed report.

Charts.

Plans.


Level Three

Subjects should allow the application of knowledge in a range of complex areas, in a variety of familiar and unfamiliar context. GL = 1000 words.

Assessed through self-assessment and tutor assessment.

Evidence could include tutor record, learner record, summary of feedback or completed work.


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Practical Demonstration A practical demonstration of a skill/situation selected by the tutor or by learners, to enable learners to practise and apply skills and knowledge. The learning may be assessed by:

Tutor.

Peer observation.


Discussion.

Self-assessment. Evidence could include:


Learner notes.

Tutor lesson plan.

Tutorial notes.

Audio / video / photographic record.

Learner log.


Level Three

Practical demonstrations should allow for the application of skills and knowledge in a range of complex areas and in a variety of familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

Assessed through tutor / peer observation, one to one tutorial, discussion and self-assessment.

Evidence could include tutor record of observation, learner notes, tutor lesson plan, tutorial notes, audio / video / photographic record and learner log.


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Practice File A structured collection of documents from real situations such as work or voluntary activity, which evidence the application of knowledge and / or skills. The documents should be mapped to specific learning outcome/s in a unit of assessment. May need a short explanation of how the particular document evidences achievement of a specific learning outcome. The learning may be assessed through:

Discussion with the tutor. Evidence could include:

Form mapping to learning outcomes, plus explanation if necessary and the documents, for example, minutes, reports, brochures, plans, witness statements, letters or e-mails.


Level Three

Practice evidence should be chosen to demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills in a range of complex activities. Learners should be expected to select appropriate and relevant evidence with minimal guidance, and to present the evidence in a structured format with sufficient information to demonstrate achievement.

Assessed through discussion with the tutor.

Evidence could include structured file with tutor feedback.


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5. How the qualification is assessed

The qualification requires achievement of the specified units with no further requirements for additional/summative assessment. Achievement is therefore determined by successful completion of unit assessment. The assessment process is as follows:

Assessments are internally set at the Centre by assessors, against the requirements detailed in the assessment criteria of the unit

The learners are assessed internally at the Centre, using the assessments set

The resulting portfolios of assessed evidence are internally verified by an internal verifier at the Centre

The portfolios of assessed evidence are externally verified by an external verifier appointed by NOCN.

Assessment for the unit is designed by the Centre in accordance with the NOCN Assessment Definitions Document and the Skills for Care and Development QCF Assessment Principles. Assessment decisions for competence-based learning outcomes must be made in a real work environment by an occupationally competent assessor, qualified to make assessment decisions.

5.1 Assessment Principles

Assessment decisions for competence based learning outcomes (for example, those beginning with ‘to be able to’) must be made in a real work environment by an occupationally competent assessor. Any knowledge evidence integral to these learning outcomes may be generated outside of the work environment but the final assessment decision must be within the real work environment. 5.2 Occupationally Competent This means that each assessor must be capable of carrying out the full requirements within the competency units they are assessing. Being occupationally competent means they are also occupationally knowledgeable. This occupational competence should be maintained annually through clearly demonstrable continuing learning and professional development. Expert witnesses can be used for direct observation where they have occupational expertise for specialist areas or the observation is of a particularly sensitive nature. The use of expert

witnesses should be determined and agreed by the assessor. An expert witness must:

have a working knowledge of the QCF units on which their expertise is based;

be occupationally competent in their area of expertise;

have EITHER the relevant qualification in assessment of workplace performance OR a professional work role which involves evaluating the everyday practice of staff.


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Assessment of knowledge based Learning Outcomes (for example, those beginning with ‘know’ or ‘understand’) may take place in or outside of a real work environment. 5.3 Occupationally Knowledgeable This means that each assessor should possess relevant knowledge and understanding, and be able to assess this in units designed to test specific knowledge and understanding, or in units where knowledge and understanding are components of competency. This occupational knowledge should be maintained annually through clearly demonstrable continuing learning and professional development. 5.4 Unit Assessment Achievement of the unit is through internally set, internally marked, internally verified and externally assessed and verified tasks, as detailed above. Centres must devise assessment activities to meet the specified assessment criteria detailed in each unit, guided by the Assessment Information Grid, which accompanies each unit, and the Skills for Care and Development Assessment Principles and the NOCN Assessment Definitions Document. The activity or activities set must enable the learners to meet the standards detailed in the assessment criteria. Centre devised assessments should be scrutinised by the internal verifier before use to ensure that they are fit for purpose. Centre devised assessments will be scrutinised by the external verifier to ensure reliability and validity of assessment. 5.5 Assessment Information Grid Each unit has a supplementary page with an Assessment Information Grid. The Assessment Information Grid gives recognised methods of assessment for NOCN units. If a method is marked ‘P’ (Prescribed), that method must be used in the assessment of the unit. Methods marked ‘O’ (Optional) are recommended methods and you will select the activity or activities most appropriate for your learners and context. Some units will have a combination of Prescribed and Optional methods. Assessors must always refer to this Grid before devising assessment tasks. NOCN also provides Assessment Definitions for a wide range of assessment activities. This grid includes a general description of the activity and, for each level (Entry to Level 3), details on how that method can be applied and what evidence is appropriate.



http://www.nocn.org.uk/document/2839


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5.6 Marking Tasks Each task must be marked against the identified assessment criteria in the unit and judged to be either achieved or not achieved. Where a series of tasks is set, learners must demonstrate the achievement of the required standard identified in the assessment criteria in all tasks in order to achieve the unit credit. All of the assessment criteria in a unit must be met before the unit is deemed achieved. The unit achievement is not banded or graded; units are either achieved or not achieved. 5.7 Recording Achievement You must record each learner’s performance in each unit on an appropriate form or forms. The form/s should record the learner’s performance against the unit assessment criteria evidenced by the task. 5.8 Standardisation Centres will be required to provide samples of assessment tasks for NOCN and standardisation activity.


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6. Offering the qualification

Recognised Centres If you are already recognised to offer NOCN qualifications and would like more information contact: [email protected]. If you are ready to add the qualification to your curriculum offer, please log in to the NOCN website, under Centres/Processes and Documents, and complete the ‘Additional Qualification Approval Request Form,’ which can then be returned to [email protected] for the attention of your Account and Sector Manager. New Centres If you are interested in offering NOCN qualifications but not currently working with NOCN, you will need to be recognised as an NOCN approved centre. This process includes:

Confirmation that your organisation has an adequate infrastructure in place to support the

effective delivery of NOCN qualifications

An agreement signed by the principal authority in the organisation confirming adherence

to the specified terms and conditions. This safeguards the quality assurance standards,

in relation the delivery and assessment process.

If you would like more information about becoming an NOCN centre and offering this qualification please see ‘New centres’ under the ‘Centres’ section on our website www.nocn.org.uk or contact [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]


http://www.nocn.org.uk/



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7. Quality Assurance and National Standardisation 7.1 General Information All Centres wishing to deliver the qualification, or units of the qualification, will need to demonstrate the ability to manage and deliver the units and/or the qualification, including adherence to quality assurance and assessment regulations. NOCN will provide guidance and give support in enabling you to use the qualification. 7.2 Internal Quality Assurance Internal quality assurance is key to ensuring that the assessment of evidence for the unit is of a consistent and appropriate quality. Those carrying out internal quality assurance must be occupationally knowledgeable in the area they are assuring and be qualified to make quality assurance decisions. Awarding Organisations will determine what will qualify those that are undertaking internal quality assurance to make decisions about that quality assurance. The NOCN standard quality assurance arrangements and requirements include:

Internal verification

External verification

Standardisation. Details and guidance are provided by NOCN. 7.3 In Addition to the NOCN Requirements

Internal verification centres must meet all the necessary criteria for approval to deliver this qualification. This must clearly demonstrate that they are able to meet the Skills for Care and Development Assessment Principles for delivering and assessing work place competent sector specific qualifications.

Assessment decisions for competence based learning outcomes (for example, those beginning with ‘to be able to’) must be made in a real work environment by an occupationally competent assessor.

Staff carrying out internal verification must have EITHER the relevant qualification in assessment of workplace performance OR a professional work role which involves evaluating the everyday practice of staff.


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7.3 Standardisation Standardisation is a process that promotes consistency in the understanding and application of standards, as it:

establishes statements on the standard of evidence required to meet the assessment criteria for the units in NOCN qualifications

makes recommendations on assessment practice

produces advice and guidance for the assessment of units

identifies good practice in assessment. It is a requirement of the Centre Recognition Process that each Centre offering the units from the qualification must contribute assessment materials and learners’ evidence for NOCN standardisation if requested. NOCN will notify Centres of the required sample for standardisation purposes. Assessment materials, learners’ evidence and tutor feedback will be collected by External Verifiers on behalf of NOCN.

Outcomes from standardisation will be available to Centres through NOCN.

Operational start date: 01/05/2011

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NOCN Level 3 Award in Inducting Others in the Assisting and Moving of Individuals in Social

Care (QCF)