As part of the social care workforce reform being undertaken by the Social Care Council a review of the current suite of diplomas is taking place within Northern Ireland.
During 2024/25 the Social Care Council Reform Team with support and guidance from external qualification advisers and subject matter experts from the social care sector, will be working through the Level 2 and 3 Diplomas in Health and Social Care.
There are 7 stages to the review:
- Social Care Employers Survey of both level 2 and 3 – completed March/April 2024.
- Focus Groups for both level 2 and 3 – 10th and 11th June 2024.
- Level 2 Diploma review working groups September 2024 – November 2024.
- Level 3 Diploma review working groups to start January 2025 (end date TBC). Further information on start dates will be issued in November 2024.
- Awarding Organisations (AO) will be updated with review as it progresses – it is the intention that AO working groups will be established once draft specifications are available.
- Update event with all training providers – date to be confirmed in 2025/2026.
- Qualifications will be available for delivery from September 2026.
It is also planned that during 2025/26 a review will start of the level 4 and 5 diplomas and certificates:
- These reviews will be the foundation of the Social Care Council’s vision that we will have a suite of qualifications that are free-standing, yet also embedded within, or related to, other progression-opportunity qualifications; which facilitate economy of time, effort and release from work; reduce duplication and maximise scaffolding of development for each individual learner, in accordance with their professional and organisational needs.
- This date may change depending on progress of review e.g. the level 2 diploma maybe available before September 2026.
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