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Recognising experience and skills

There will soon be a new vocational qualification (VQ) aimed at recognising the skills of all support staff in schools. The qualification requires staff to demonstrate competence against a set of occupational standards in a similar way to existing NVQs; however, it adopts a significantly lighter-touch approach for both learners and schools.

The qualification has two mandatory units which correspond to the skills contained in Every Child Matters’ Common Core of skills and knowledge. These units cover issues relating to responding to the needs of pupils, and understanding the ethos and policies of the school. In addition, candidates complete units which correspond to their particular specialism within the school, eg science technician, administrator, etc.

The VQ offers an easy way to recognise the skills of staff without placing a large burden on those staff to collect vast amounts of evidence.