National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs)

What are NVQs?

NVQs are National Vocational Qualifications. Nationally recognised qualifications are based on standards. Standards have been developed across industry and they clearly set out the skills and knowledge expected of individuals working across a range of occupations at different levels.

NVQs set out skills, knowledge and attitudes which can be directly applied and assessed within the workplace. The emphasis is on your day-to-day abilities and achievements rather than, as with some other qualifications, the ability to recall large amounts of information in examinations.

NVQ assessment opportunities are available and offered to all eligible staff irrespective of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, disability, religion, beliefs and other factors.  

Site Contents

• How do I get to do an NVQ?

• What does it involve?

• What support can I expect to receive?

• What NVQs can I do as someone who works with Adults?

• What NVQs can I do as someone who works with Children?

How do I get to do an NVQ?

• Discuss with your line manager
  

• Identify which qualification is relevant to your job role.  If necessary discuss this with a member of the Workforce Development Unit – Tel No 0116 2211700
  

• Requests for nominations come via the Workforce Development Unit – your line manager will need to nominate you through this process
  

• Subject to completion of Induction Standards and probationary period.
  

• If you work in the independent or voluntary sector, you can access Health & Social Care NVQ's from the Leicestershire Care Providers Assessment Centre.

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What does it involve?

• You will be allocated your own assessor – this may be your line manager (if they are qualified NVQ assessors), Workforce Development Officer or an independent assessor
  

• You and your assessor will meet to talk about the work you do, the activities you are involved with and your preferred learning methods.  Together you will plan how you are going to meet the national occupational standards for your award
  

• You will be observed in your place of work doing the job that you currently do and proving that you are working to national standards (observation of practice)
  

• Your assessor may ask you questions about the way in which you work, why you behave in particular ways and what knowledge you have around certain areas (knowledge evidence)
  

• You and your assessor may agree on other ways of gathering your evidence.  Sometimes you may be required to attend a training session, or to hold a professional discussion with your assessor, or to prepare a written or spoken report etc.

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What support can I expect to receive?

• There may be times when additional support is identified by the member of staff and / or their NVQ assessor.  Every effort will be made for appropriate support to be offered.  Examples include:
  

  • Support with literacy, language and / or numeracy – candidates will be supported with their essential skills through one of the Skills for Life programmes available.  This may be done prior to registration for an NVQ or during the process (depending on the individual’s level of support needed)
    

  • Disabled staff – candidates will be supported with NVQ assessment in their preferred way.  Some examples of support offered / chosen have included use of large print materials, use of tapes and videos, dyslexia-wise materials, loaning of laptops, provision of a scribe

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What NVQs can I do as someone who works with Adults?

(click on the NVQ title to see more information about this NVQ. Please note: this part of the site is still being developed so these links may not work)

The grid below gives the NVQs currently supported by the Workforce Development Unit  which are appropriate for people who work with Adults. It also gives an indication as to which NVQ is appropriate for each job role. Some people are required to complete NVQs, please see Learning for Your Job to see if an NVQ is appropriate for your job. 

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What NVQs can I do as someone who works with Children & Young People?

(click on the NVQ title to see more information about this NVQ. Please note: this part of the site is still being developed so these links may not work)

The grid below gives the NVQs currently supported by the Workforce Development Unit and which are appropriate for people who work with Children & Young People. It also gives an indication as to which NVQ is appropriate for each job role. Some people are required to complete NVQs, please see Learning for Your Job to see if an NVQ is appropriate for your job.