SVQ Social Services and Healthcare 3 - SCQF Level 7
Campus OL - Open Learning/Cross Campus
Qualification SCQF Level 7
Study mode Open learning
Start date
Jan 2026
Course enquiry form
Course overview
This qualification is suitable for individuals employed in the health and social care sector in a practitioner or key worker role (these roles may include elements of supervision but are not exclusively supervisory). SVQs are work-based qualifications that assess the skills and knowledge required to perform job roles effectively. You will be allocated an assessor who will work with you to gather evidence demonstrating that you meet the required standards. This qualification will enable the student to register with the SSSC.
In your current job role, you should be involved in:
- Promote effective communication within the service.
- Promote the health, safety, and security of yourself and others you are responsible for within the service, for example, by monitoring and maintaining them, promoting safe, healthy, and secure working practices, and minimising risks arising from emergencies.
- Develop your practice within the service setting; for example, reflect on your practice in the workplace and take action to enhance it by utilising development opportunities.
- Promote the safeguarding of individuals, for example, establish your understanding of safeguarding and what you must do in cases of actual or potential harm or abuse.
Important! Application Process
Once your application has been submitted, the college will send you a short questionnaire. This helps us ensure that you're applying for the most suitable course and allows us to progress your application to the next stage.
Please complete the questionnaire within 7 days of receiving it. If it is not returned within this timeframe, your application will be cancelled.
Funding and Fees
Fee: £1,200
Estimated Duration: 12 months
Edinburgh College makes every effort to support you throughout your qualification. However, suppose you do not engage with the qualification and fail to complete it within the estimated completion period. In that case, Edinburgh College may implement a monthly fee of £150 (SVQ 2 and SVQ 3) or £218 (SVQ 4) per person for ongoing assessor support. This would not apply if candidates are put on hold for personal or work-related reasons.
Funding
Various funding streams are available to cover all or some of the costs. These include:
- Fees paid by the employer or the student
- SAAS Part-Time Fee Grants may be available for candidates enrolled in courses at SCQF Level 7 and above who meet the eligibility criteria. SAAS funding would normally part-fund a qualification. Please use this link for more information: Part-time Funding Guide - SAAS.
- Voluntary sector organisations can apply to the Voluntary Sector Development Fund. This is done independently of the College. For more information, please visit the Scottish Social Services Council's Voluntary Sector Development Fund page on Funding Scotland.
- Modern Apprenticeship funding may be available at all levels, subject to available funding allocations. Please note that there are additional requirements for accessing this funding, including completing additional units and attending regular and thorough review meetings. This funding may cover all or part of the cost of a qualification, depending on allocations and levels.
- You may be entitled to apply for a fee waiver for this course (this option is only for individuals who are paying for the course themselves - not businesses) – Please use the link to the application form for more information on this: Edinburgh College Fee Waiver Application Form Fee waivers can only be offered if candidates provide documentary evidence to prove eligibility for fee waiver funding
What you will learn
The course contains four mandatory units:
- Promote effective communication
- Promote health, safety and security in the work setting
- Develop your practice through reflection and learning
- Promote the safeguarding of Individuals
You will also select two optional units that relate to your current practice.
More information on this qualification can be found on the SQA website.
Placement information
SVQ Social Services and Healthcare 3 - SCQF Level 7How the course is assessed
- The course is assessed holistically by reflective accounts, observations, tasks and questions.
Number of days per week
- Flexible learning.
- Regular 1-1 meetings with your workplace assessor, at your workplace, at a college campus or online.
Entry requirements
- Currently employed as a practitioner or key worker in the health and social care sector.
- Please contact SVQCARE@edinburghcollege.ac.uk if you have any questions about entry requirements.
English Proficiency Requirements
IELTS 5.5Progression and Articulation Routes
- PDA in supervision, SVQ SCQF 8, LMC – dependant on work role.
Career options
- This qualification will enable the candidate to access a broad range of career opportunities throughout the health and social care sector.
Study Options
| Campus | Study mode | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| OL - Open Learning/Cross Campus | Open learning | 21/01/26 |