The Level 4 Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Social Services and Healthcare is suitable for candidates working in, or wanting to progress to, senior positions. It is a requirement by the SSSC that everyone employed in this capacity should have achieved or be working towards achievement of this qualification. It allows candidates to demonstrate competence in job related skills in their particular area of work. The qualification has been designed in partnership with the Sector Skills Council, Skills for Care and Development to ensure relevance to the sector. SVQs are based on National Occupational Standards.
Upon successful completion, learners will gain an international recognised qualification which guarantees that they have the skills, knowledge and abilities required to carry out their role successfully. Assessment is carried out in the workplace to minimise any time learners would need to be away from their work and allows candidates to generate evidence based on the actual work they are carrying out.
To achieve this qualification, candidates must complete 4 mandatory units and 4 optional units with a minimum of 78 credits and a maximum of 89. Candidates completing a Technical Apprenticeship at this level must also complete Career Skills Units with a minimum of 15 credits.
Full details of the qualification can be found on the SQA or EAL Website as appropriate using the following link :
Full details of the Modern Apprenticeship framework can be found on the Skills Development Scotland Website using this link :
| Qualification | Technical Apprenticeship |
| SVQ Level | 4 |
| SCQF Level | 9 |
| Course Code | GH61 24 |
Mandatory Units
Candidates must complete all 4 Units:
| H5PH 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Maintain effective communication systems and practice |
| H5VV 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Lead practice for health and safety in the work setting |
| H5VW 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Take responsibility for the continuing professional development of yourself and others |
| H5PJ 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Lead practice that promotes the safeguarding of individuals |
Optional Units
Candidates must choose 4 units:
| H5PK 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Lead and manage provision of care services that promotes positive behaviour |
| H5PL 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Manage and develop yourself and your workforce within care services |
| H5PM 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Advocate with and on behalf of individuals |
| H5PN 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Lead and manage provision of care services that promotes the well-being of people |
| H5XC 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Manage provision of care services that deals effectively with transitions and significant life events |
| H5PP 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Manage requests for health, social or other care services |
| H5PR 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Access individuals preferences and needs |
| H5PS 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Lead the service delivery planning process to achieve outcomes for individuals |
| H5PT 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Lead the planning process with individuals |
| H5PV 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Work with individuals with mental health needs to negotiate and agree plans for addressing those needs |
| H5PW 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Provide advice and information to those who enquire about health and social care services |
| H5PX 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Promote leisure opportunities and activities for individuals |
| H5PY 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Promote employment, training and education opportunities for individuals |
| H5RO 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Promote housing opportunities for individuals |
| H5R1 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Assist individuals at formal hearings |
| H5R2 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Supervise methadone consumption |
| H5R4 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Empower families, carers and others to support individuals |
| H5R5 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Assess the needs of carers and families |
| H5R6 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Lead the development of programmes of support for carers and families |
| H5R7 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Work with groups to promote individual growth, development and independence |
| H5R8 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Lead practice to reduce and prevent the risk of danger, harm and abuse |
| H5R9 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Support individuals who have experienced harm or abuse |
| H5RA 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Enable families to address issues with individuals’ behaviour |
| H5RB 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Develop joint working arrangements for health and social care services |
| H5RC 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Lead practice for managing and disseminating records and reports |
| H5RD 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Monitor and manage the quality of the provision of care services |
| H5RE 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Promote your organisation and its services to stakeholders |
| H5RF 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Develop and disseminate information and advice about health and social well-being |
| H5RG 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Contribute to the development of organisational policy and practice |
| H5RH 04 | 12 SCQF Credits | Ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements |
| H5RJ 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Manage tendering and contracting processes in health and social care settings |
| H5RL 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Evaluate the effectiveness of health, social or other care services |
| H5RM 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Procure services for individuals |
| H5RN 04 | 8 SCQF Credits | Actively engage in the safe selection and recruitment of workers and their retention in the care services |
| H5RP 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Manage the recruitment and placement of volunteers |
| H5RR 04 | 12 SCQF Credits | Exchange information and present at courts and formal hearings |
| H5RS 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Provide and present information for courts and formal hearings |
| H5RT 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Manage a dispersed workforce to meet the needs and preferences of individuals at home |
| H5RV 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Develop risk management plans to promote independence in daily living |
| H5RW 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Lead practice that promotes the rights, responsibilities, equality and diversity of Individuals |
| H5RX 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Represent one’s own agency at other agencies’ meetings |
| H5WC 04 | 12 SCQF Credits | Undertake a research project |
Career Skills Units
Technical Apprentices should complete Career Skills units at SCQF Level 7 or above and achieve a minimum of 15 Credits in total. The units have been grouped under four headings: Business Administration, Management including Business Continuity Management and Governance, Enterprise and Customer Service
| FD3L 04 | 8 SCQF Credits | Build and manage teams |
| Or | ||
| H683 04 | 8 SCQF Credits | Build teams |
| F4MJ 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Provide leadership for your team |
| Or | ||
| H5XP 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Lead your team |
| FE1D 04 | 5 SCQF Credits | Manage budgets |
| Or | ||
| H68K 04 | 5 SCQF Credits | Manage budgets |
| FD3K 04 | 14 SCQF Credits | Allocate & monitor the progress and quality of work in your area of responsibility |
| Or | ||
| HA9V 04 | 14 SCQF Credits | Manage people’s performance at work |
| F2H5 04 | 3 SCQF Credits | Communicate information and knowledge |
| DR52 04 | 11 SCQF Credits | Ensure health and safety requirements are met in your area of responsibility |
| DR67 04 | 8 SCQF Credits | Manage your own resources and professional development |
| Or | ||
| HK26 04 | 6 SCQF Credits | Develop your knowledge, skills and competence |
| DR7K 04 | 12 SCQF Credits | Recruit, select and keep colleagues |
| Or | ||
| H5XR 04 | 14 SCQF Credits | Recruit, select and retain people |
| FM4L 04 | 10 SCQF Credits | Promote equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion in your area of Responsibility |
| Or | ||
| H69C 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Promote equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion |
| DR75 04 | 9 SCQF Credits | Provide leadership in your area of responsibility |