Gaining qualifications
In 2024, we reduced the timescale for new registrants to gain their qualification for registration from five years to three years to help get staff qualified more quickly to make sure they have the right knowledge and skills for their role.
Registrants with an existing qualification condition still have five years, as do those who need to gain two qualifications like managers and supervisors.
From our Register data we’re already seeing an improving rate of people gaining qualifications with current figures showing around 57% of registrants hold the necessary qualification for their role.
Launching the campaign, SSSC Director of Workforce Education and Standards, Laura Lamb said:
‘We are delighted to see that the number of people gaining their qualifications continues to grow.
‘This campaign aims to highlight the benefits of qualification for registrants and people receiving care, focus on different ways to evidence your learning and prepare for your SVQ, as well as celebrating the success of people recently qualified who share their own personal experience.
‘The changes made in 2024, also include a more flexible approach to qualifications, accepting some qualifications for more parts of the Register than we did before. This means registrants can move between different types of services more easily without having to gain a new qualification.
‘We’re continuing to work with SQA on flexibility in the assessment strategy, so people can gather evidence more easily and naturally from their practice to demonstrate their knowledge and skills.’
Get involved
You can get involved in our campaign on social media and we’ll also provide updates in SSSC News.
Make sure you give us a follow, share our posts or better still, snap a selfie with your colleagues and create your own posts using #SSSCregistered sharing what it means to you to be qualified.
You’ll find more information and lots of great downloads on our website.
SVQ and Apprenticeships in social services consultation
This campaign runs alongside our consultation on the review of the six benchmark SVQs and apprenticeships in social services.
We want to make sure that SVQs and apprenticeships are up to date so the registered workforce has the necessary skills, knowledge and qualifications to meet the outcomes of individuals with lived experience of care or support services.
We also want to make sure the needs and requirements of both the social care and children and young people workforce are met.
Learn more about the consultation and respond on our website consultation page.