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Review of qualifications

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 – completed 10th and 11th June 2024.
  • Level 2 Diploma review working groups September – November 2024 – completed November 2024.
  • Level 3 Diploma review working groups to start January 2025 (end date TBC). For further information see: Level 3 review working group dates.
  • Awarding Organisations (AO) will be updated and consulted with review as it progresses.
  • Training providers will be updated with review as it progresses.
  • Qualifications will be available for delivery from September 2026.*

*This date may change depending on the progress of each review e.g. the Level 2 Diploma may become available before 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.

For more information:

If you have a question or want to know more, please email the workforce development team at: workforcedevelopment@niscc.hscni.net.

System alert – Public Facing Register

We are aware of a technical issue affecting a number of registrants who are unable to view their registration status on the Public Register Facing Register (the Register). Employers are also experiencing this when they are using the Register to look up the details of registrants. We are working to resolve this. Affected registrants should continue to work whilst their record on the Register is updated. If any further information is required by an individual registrant or employer, please email: registration@niscc.hscni.net.