Skills for Care update January 2011
From January 2011 on the new Qualifications and Credit Framework the current LDQ will not exist in its current form, the same learning opportunities will be available but in a different format. The Health and Social Care Diploma at level 2 and level 3 replaces the current Health and Social Care NVQ at level 2 and level 3.
The Health and Social Care Diplomas are made up of 9 mandatory units and a range of 'optional' units. The mandatory units are very closely aligned to the refreshed common induction standards and the aim is for learners from any part of the sector to complete these and contextualise their learning to their service/job role.
Learners working in learning disability services can choose to take a specialist Learning Disability Pathway through the Health and Social Care Diploma, which allows learners to select units from the learning disability suite relevant to their job role. Combined with the mandatory units this removes the need for the LDQ.
Several units have also been developed for inclusion in the level 5 leadership qualification.
To view the Health and Social Care diploma units visit: http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/qualifications_and_training/qualificationsandcreditframeworkQCF/what_is_changing.aspx
Revised Learning Disability Qualification (LDQ) website - www.ldq.org.uk
The website is currently hosted and run by ARC - the Association For Real Change on behalf of Skills for Care.
The site offers information about the current LDQ Induction Award, the Learning Disability Knowledge Sets developed by Skills for Care and details of the revision of the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF)
Information and details about the Learning Disability Award Framework (LDAF) Award which was replaced by the LDQ Induction Award can still be found on the LDAF website
Skills for Care - Learning Disability Knowledge and Skills Sets
Skills for Care has developed two series of Learning Disability Knowledge Sets, published in 2008 and 2009.
Knowledge sets are collections of key learning outcomes for specific areas of work within adult social care. They are designed to improve consistency in the underpinning knowledge learnt by the adult social care workforce in England.
It is intended that the key learning outcomes within each knowledge set should be used by employers to develop in-house learning and by training providers, publishers and awarding bodies to produce learning programmes, resources (CD-ROMs, videos, workbooks) and, potentially, qualifications. The key learning outcomes provide minimum standardised outcomes that employers may use either to produce their own in-house learning or learning packages or as a benchmark when buying in learning provision or learning packages.
These knowledge sets are designed to be used separately or alongside the Learning Disability Induction Award and as part of a worker's continuing professional development. Their aim is to provide specific standardised knowledge and understanding to help social care workers undertake their role.
You can download the Knowledge and Skills Sets by clicking on the link below:
http://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/developing_skills/knowledge_sets/learning_disability_knowledge_sets.aspx
Further Resources
City and guilds - Induction Award in supporting people with a learning disability - Vocational (No. 3100 )
City and guilds - FAQ on LDQ (PDF)
Skills for Care - Knowledge and Skills Sets for Learning Disability Induction
BILD (British Institute of Learning Disabilities Information)
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Training Information 
