Updated 04 January 2022 – Essential Skills Qualifications
From 1 September 2021 the Centre Determined Grades approach will no longer be available.
In consultation with Qualification Wales, the Asset Management Group has drawn up a joint agreement about management of Essential Skills assessments for all learners who have completed teaching and learning and are functioning at the required level.
The joint statement and guidance are available from the links below.
Joint communication from AMG – Alternative arrangements September 2021
Adaptation arrangements with effect from 01 September 2021
Updated 08 September – Qualifications Wales letter confirming alignment with the Ofqual VQCRF arrangements for academic year 2021/22
Qualifications Wales (QW) has written to confirm that they published their updated Vocational Qualifications Contingency Regulatory Framework (Conditions and Requirements, and Guidance). In line with previous versions of the Vocational Qualifications Contingency Regulatory Framework (VQCRF), QW worked closely with Ofqual and CCEA Regulation when making amendments. The amendments made to this version of the framework mirror those made by Ofqual, the only exceptions being related to the conditions/provision which do not apply in Wales.
This means that any/all assessment delivery guidance for all Ofqual regulated qualifications will continue to apply in Wales where Welsh centres offer regulated qualifications that are also available in other parts of the UK.
Updated 27 August – Health & Social Care and Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Wales and Northern Ireland qualifications)
We have continued to work closely with Awarding Organisations/Bodies, Qualifications Wales and CCEA, and with the relevant workforce regulators in both Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure ongoing access to fair and reliable assessment across a range of Health and Social Care, and Childcare qualifications delivered in Wales and Northern Ireland and for the new Health and Social Care, and Childcare qualifications Northern Ireland.
We have worked on a collaborative joint agreement, setting out a range of permitted flexibilities, published by all Awarding Organisations/Bodies offering these qualifications in Wales and Northern Ireland, that is available below. In light of continued uncertainty regarding ongoing disruption to teaching, learning and assessment during the 2021/22 academic year we have reviewed the range of adaptations currently available and have agreed that these will continue to be available to all learners until end August 2022. We will continue to work with qualification and workforce regulators and our stakeholders throughout this period and we will update centres should further changes be needed.
Please ensure that you are working from the most current version of the adaptation guidance document.
In relation to the assessment of professional supervision, Centres who are approved to deliver the Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications should also follow the guidance provided by Social Care Wales and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council.
Other qualifications
If you are a centre in Wales delivering UK qualifications, please check our UK qualifications set of guidance on our dedicated page.
We understand that you will have questions and queries, and our Customer Service team are on hand and happy to support you.
Our Welsh Business Development Manager, Direct Sales and customer supporting teams also remain available to support you and answer any questions you may have.
UPDATE - 06 January 2022
We have continued to work with Qualifications and Industry regulators to ensure ongoing access to fair and reliable assessment across a range of qualifications in Scotland and across the UK. Please see below our most up to date guidance to support the assessment of our Scottish credit rated qualifications and our Scottish regulated qualifications.
As per SQA guidance, all City & Guilds Scottish regulated qualifications can be delivered in line with the standard assessment strategy during academic year 2021-22, with the exception of our SVQs in Hair & Beauty, for which some adaptations have been agreed and can be used up until 30 June 2022, as required.
Download the guidance
UPDATE - 06 January 2022
Please view the updated guidance statement by Habia for the adaptation of assessments for all the knowledge and skills elements of these SVQs.
View Habia Guidance
Other qualifications
If you are a centre in Scotland delivering UK qualifications please check our UK qualifications set of guidance on our dedicated page.
We understand that you will have questions and queries, and our Customer Service team are on hand and happy to support you.
Our Direct Sales and customer supporting teams also remain available to support you and answer any questions you may have.
Updated 13 September – Adaptations guidance for 2021/22 – Essential Skills Northern Ireland
Please download the guidance for assessments during 2021/22 from the link below.
Download guidance
Updated 08 September – The Economy Minister (NI) confirmed Vocational Qualifications assessments to go ahead during academic year 2021
The Economy Minister (NI) has confirmed that vocational examinations and assessments will go ahead this year and Essential Skills qualifications will also return to normal. This in line with Ministerial direction in both England and Wales.
Further information can be located on the CCEA Regulation website and the Minister’s statement can be accessed on the dedicated webpage.
Ofqual VQCRF arrangements for academic year 2021/22
In August Ofqual published guidance on the updated Vocational Qualifications Contingency Regulatory Framework (VQCRF) effective from 1st September 2021. Ofqual worked closely with CCEA Regulation and Qualifications Wales (QW) when making amendments to ensure consistency across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and delivering assessments and awarding qualifications.
This means that any/all assessment delivery guidance for all Ofqual regulated qualifications will continue to apply in Northern Ireland where Northern Ireland centres offer regulated qualifications that are also available in other parts of the UK.
Updated 27 August – Health & Social Care and Children’s Care, Learning and Development (Wales and Northern Ireland qualifications)
We have continued to work closely with Awarding Organisations/Bodies, Qualifications Wales and CCEA, and with the relevant workforce regulators in both Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure ongoing access to fair and reliable assessment across a range of Health and Social Care, and Childcare qualifications delivered in Wales and Northern Ireland and for the new Health and Social Care, and Childcare qualifications Northern Ireland.
We have worked on a collaborative joint agreement, setting out a range of permitted flexibilities, published by all Awarding Organisations/Bodies offering these qualifications in Wales and Northern Ireland, that is available below. In light of continued uncertainty regarding ongoing disruption to teaching, learning and assessment during the 2021/22 academic year we have reviewed the range of adaptations currently available and have agreed that these will continue to be available to all learners until end August 2022. We will continue to work with qualification and workforce regulators and our stakeholders throughout this period and we will update centres should further changes be needed.
Please ensure that you are working from the most current version of the adaptation guidance document.
In relation to the assessment of professional supervision, Centres who are approved to deliver the Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications should also follow the guidance provided by Social Care Wales and the Northern Ireland Social Care Council.
Other qualifications
If you are a centre in Northern Ireland delivering UK qualifications, please check our UK qualifications set of guidance on our dedicated page.
We understand that you will have questions and queries, and our Customer Service team are on hand and happy to support you.
Our Direct Sales and customer supporting teams also remain available to support you and answer any questions you may have.