Entry Requirements:
Level 2 - a broad introductory award appropriate to school leavers and adult returners who wish to introduce themselves to the concepts and values of care.

Level 3 - three named awards are available for students who are clearer in their career path. These are: social care, health care, child care and education. These courses are appropriate for returning adults and young people with knowledge/practical experience of their subject area.

Brief summary of main subject areas:
Both courses follow a presented structure made up of Core Skills, Mandatory & Optional Units. The Core skills include Communication, Numeracy, Information Technology, Problem Solving and Working with Others.

The Mandatory and Optional Units are subject specific depending on which vocational area is being studied. The Awards at level 3 have a common mandatory section.
Level 2 consists of 13 credits
Level 3 consists of 20 credits
Students must achieve all units to gain the qualification.

Mode of Delivery:
Both courses are of one-year duration and are usually delivered within an F.E. setting. Students are taught in class groups, with single credit modules being delivered in approximately 40 teaching hours.

Placement Requirements:
GSVQ 2 has no formal placement requirement.
GSVQ 3 students may have placement experience with 2 or 3 different client groups throughout the year, depending on availability and individual negotiation between the presenting centre and the placement provider.

Certification and Recognition:
Achievement of all 13 credits.
Achievement of all 20 credits.
Students can achieve individual SQA units but no group award i.e. GSVQ 2 or 3 unless all units are achieved.

Articulation/Progression:
Level 2 can articulate to Level 3 or students can seek employment e.g. as care assistants in a variety of settings.

Level 3 can articulate to HNC study in an appropriate discipline e.g. HNC Social Care; HNC Health Care; HNC Child Care & Education. Some students may seek to access Higher Education, or pursue employment as Care Officers and/or equivalent posts within their vocational field. GSVQ level 3 is also recognised by the UKCC as meeting its minimum requirements for entry to pre-registration Nursing programmes.

All the qualifications will be phased out. Scottish Group Awards at Intermediate 2 and Higher have been available for implementation from August 1999.

©West of Scotland Consortium for Education and Training in Social Work 2001.