NVQ Care Level 3
The Units Evidence Portfolio GET Self Help Books
The information (below the bookstore) may be out of date - please use links to other sites or books for up to date relevant information
NB. The information below is not up-to-date
The NVQ awards are based on competence standards which reflect the daily work of the candidate. The candidate will be assessed in the workplace by trained NVQ Assessors, and supported by Underpinning Knowledge sessions
The NVQ in Care, levels 2 and 3 are carried out at the candidate's own pace, although it is possible to achieve Level 2 in 9 months, and Level 3 in 12 months.
I will here concentrate on NVQ Level 3.
NVQ Level 3 is considered to be the equivalent of one 'A' Level. It is now accepted as an entry requirement for Registered Nurse training. Having achieved Level 3, the successful candidate may then apply for Health Care Assistant posts (Grade C)
Guernsey's Institute of Health Studies provide NVQ training in Care levels 2 and 3, for (Board of Health employed) Nursing Auxiliaries and Care Assistants. The IHS also offer the A1 (previously NVQ D32/D33) training for prospective NVQ Assessors.
Types of Evidence
Direct Observation
The Candidate is observed in their normal working practice, completing a task relevant to the appropriate unit. There should be some prior planning and discussion, and should be followed by discussion, oral questioning and feedback (including a Feedback Report sheet). You need at least 2 for each unit. Sometimes it is not possible to provide evidence of competencies during your normal work. It may be necessary to perform a Direct Observation as a Simulation - when a colleague may act as a patient for instance.
Witness Testimonies
A colleague who is present when you achieve a competency relevant to the appropriate unit - may write a witness testimony. You need at least 2 for each unit
Candidate Statement
You may write your own statement regarding something you did in the course of your work (eg)
Witness Status List
All those who have written witness statements, and your Assessor, should sign the Witness Status List for each unit
Action Plan
The form that your assessor completes when you discuss and agree what needs to be done - perhaps weekly. You need at least 2 for each unit
Feedback Report
The form you and your assessor complete when you discuss and agree how things have been going, and after Direct Observations etc. You need at least 2 for each unit
Questioning
Written or Oral Questions
Work Products
For example: Care Plans, Accident Reports, Written Records (but ALWAYS maintain confidentiality by deleting any identifying factors)
Assignments
Such as Case Studies, Written Accounts, Projects, Reflective Accounts
The Candidate is required to create a Portfolio for each Unit
This should contain the following:
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Contents Page - with item numbers |
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Witness Status List |
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National Standards (Copies of Units, Elements - Performance Criteria etc) |
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Assessment Plan |
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Action Plans (at least 2) |
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Feedback Reports (at least 2) |
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Direct Observations (at least 2) |
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Witness Testimonies (at least 2) |
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Pre-Set Written Questions and Answers |
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Other Evidence |
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All Items of Evidence must include the Candidate's Name, Candidate Number and Date |
On completion of each unit, the candidate will enter the evidence numbers on the Assessment Plan, and then enter the Portfolio for Internal Verification.
The Internal Verifier will check these items in particular: (where a number is specified - that is the least number required)
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Is there an Assessment Plan? |
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Does it match the Performance Criteria, Knowledge and Range? |
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Are there 2 Direct Observations? |
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Are there 2 Feedback Reports? |
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Are there 2 Action Plans? |
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Are there 2 Witness Statements? |
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Is there sufficient Evidence? |
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Is the Evidence reliable? |
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Is the Evidence valid? |
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Is the Evidence authentic? |
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If competent, is the appropriate documentation completed? |
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Is there any indication of a training need for the Assessor arising from the IV process? |
There are 5 mandatory units, and 7 others. Guernsey's Board of Health have agreed a further 5 'mandatory' units (to be able to apply for Health Care Assistant) and a choice of a further 2 units.
The Mandatory Units for Level 3
Guernsey's Board of Health (Mental Health Services) further 'mandatory' units
A choice of 2 further units. The present candidates on the Acute Mental Health Unit have opted for
Each of the 12 units are subdivided into 2, 3 or 4 Elements, which are usually expressed as in the following example O2.1, O2.2, and O2.3 meaning Unit Number O2, subdivided into first element O2.1, second element O2.2 etc Each Element contains several (usually between 6 and 12) Performance Criteria in which the Candidate has to provide evidence of competency. Evidence is produce by means of Direct Observations; Witness Testimonies; Candidate Statements; Work Products such as Care Plans; Assignments such as Case Studies, Projects, Reflective Accounts (of your work); Simulations; Written and Oral Questioning etc
O2 Promote People's Equality, Diversity and Rights
O2.1 Promote People's Rights and Responsibilities
O2.2 Promote Equality and Diversity of People
O2.3 Promote People's Right to the Confidentiality of Information
CL1 Promote Effective Communication and Relationships
CL1.1 Develop Relationships with People which value them as individuals
CL1.2 Establish and maintain Effective Communication with People
CU1 Promote, Monitor and Maintain Health, Safety and Security in the Workplace
CU1.1 Monitor and maintain the Safety and Security of the Work Environment
CU1.2 Promote Standards of Health and Safety in Working Practice
CU1.3 Minimise the Risks arising from Health Emergencies
CU7 Develop one's own Knowledge and Practice
CU7.1 Reflect on and Evaluate one's own Values, Priorities, Interests and Effectiveness
CU7.2 Synthesise new Knowledge into the Development of one's own Practice
Z1 Contribute to the Protection of Individuals from Abuse
Z1.1 Contribute to Minimising the Level of Abuse in Care Environments
Z1.2 Minimise the Effects of Abusive Behaviour
Z1.3 Contribute to Monitoring Individuals who are at Risk from Abuse
CU2 Prepare and Maintain Environments for Clinical Procedures
CU2.1 Prepare Environments for Clinical Procedures
CU2.2 Maintain Environments following Clinical Procedures
CU9 Contribute to the Development and Effectiveness of Work Teams
CU9.1 Contribute to Effective Team Practice
CU9.2 Contribute to the Development of Others in the Work Team
CU9.3 Develop Oneself in own Work Role
NC7 Contribute to Raising Awareness of Health Issues
NC7.1 Assist in assessing the Need for raising Awareness of Health Issues
NC7.2 Assist in Planning Activities to raise Awareness of Health Issues
NC7.3 Raise People's Awareness about specific Health Issues
NC7.4 Contribute to the Evaluation and Improvement of Awareness Raising
X19 Prepare and Undertake agreed Clinical Activities with Clients in Acute Care Settings
X19.1 Prepare Clients for Clinical Activities
X19.2 Undertake Clinical Procedures, Treatments and Dressings
X19.3 Obtain and Test Specimens from Clients
X19.4 Measure and Monitor the Physical Characteristics and Condition of Clients
Z7 Contribute to the Movement and Handling of Individuals to maximise their Physical comfort
Z7.1 Prepare Individuals and Environments for Moving and Handling
Z7.2 Assist Individuals to move from one Position to another
Z7.3 Assist Individuals to prevent and minimise the adverse Effects of Pressure
Z8 Support Individuals when they are Distressed
Z8.1 Contribute to the Prevention of Individuals Distress
Z8.2 Support Individuals in Times of Distress
SC8 Contribute to the Development, Provision and Review of Care Programmes
SC8.1 Obtain Information about Clients and their Needs of the Service
SC8.2 Contribute to Planning how Client's Needs can best be met
SC8.3 Agree Services to be Provided to meet Clients' Needs
SC8.4 Contribute to Reviewing the Effectiveness of Care Programmes
Assessors Award D32/D33
(the D32/D33 has now been replaced with the new A1 award)
D32 Assess Candidate Performance
D321 Agree and Review a Plan for Assessing Performance
D322 Collect and Judge Performance Evidence against Criteria
D323 Collect and Judge Knowledge Evidence
D324 Make Assessment Decision and provide Feedback
D33 Assess Candidate using differing Sources of Evidence
D331 Agree and Review an Assessment Plan
D332 Judge Evidence and provide Feedback
D333 Make Assessment Decisions using differing Sources of Evidence and provide Feedback
Internal Verifier's Award D34
(the D34 has now been replaced by the V1 award)
D34 Internally Verify the Assessment Process
D341 Advise and Support Assessors
D342 Maintain and Monitor Arrangements for processing Assessment Information
D343 Verify Assessment Practice
Self-Help Books for Mental Health
28 October 2009
Now Play This A Child's War 8 in a Bar
