Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice

Qualification Summary

The Northern Ireland Social Care Council worked in partnership with representatives from the social care sector to co-design and develop this entrance level qualification, as part of the CiP Framework, to ensure consistency of the training that all new social care practitioners across the sector would require when completing their induction.

The Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice consists of seven units that will enable entrance level social care practitioners to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become confident in their practice and to work safely and effectively. Upon successful completion of this qualification, the practitioner will also receive a certificate confirming their knowledge and competence.

Click here to learn more about what the Certificate provides.

NB: Your employer will be able to offer you advice about whether you are in a role that will enable you to gather the 'naturally occurring evidence' (inclusive of direct observations of practice) to complete this work-based qualification i.e. that the tasks you undertake, as part of your job role, will enable you to meet all of the evidence requirements for the Level of qualification that you are studying.


Highlights:

The Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice has now been:

  • Accredited by CCEA Regulation
  • Approved for use with three Awarding Organisations:
  • OCN NI
  • Proqual
  • Skills Education Group
  • Added to the Level 2 Health and Social Care Apprenticeship NI Framework


More Information

Possible funding support – for those working in the Independent (Private, Community and Voluntary) Sector:


Certificate Pilot, Impact and Guidance

To evaluate the impact of the new entrance level certificate, it was piloted with a number of employers, training organisations and social care practitioners (learners) and an Impact Report has been published and Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Guidance to support employers has been developed. 


Some of the pilot participants were filmed talking about their experience:



Frequently Asked Questions

We have tried to answer the questions we get asked most often, if you have another question, please contact us!

Do I have to complete the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice?

If you have entered the registered social care workforce and are new to social care, at any level, from September 2024, the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice is available for registration and completion. 

How long will it take to complete the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice?

You will have a maximum of 6 months to complete the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice. 

Does the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice replace induction?

The Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice does not replace the requirement on employers to provide appropriate induction for new staff and to ensure that no employee is placed in positions to provide care/support that they have not been adequately prepared and trained for. 

The Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice could be part of the induction process and your employer has a responsibility to ensure you are trained appropriately for your service area. 

The Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice should only be completed once and can be transferred to a new employer. 

In line with the continuous learning pathway, you must engage in on-going learning and development aligned with employer requirements and your job role – this will involve induction for new roles and any refresher learning and development/training. 

How will the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice impact on staff having to provide care/support as soon as possible on employment?

All staff will be required to undertake Induction. The Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice will be available to be undertaken as part of induction for new staff entering social care. The employer will determine when staff are ready to directly work with service users in the early phase of employment as is the current situation. 

Do I have to be employed in Health and Social Care to undertake the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice?

As an employment-based qualification, you must be employed by a social care organisation to undertake the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice. 

When should I commence the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice?

If supported by your employer to do so, you should commence the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice as soon as possible on commencing work with a social care organisation as part of your induction. 

How do I complete the modules for the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Care Practice?

There will be elements of knowledge required, assessment of competence in the subject areas and evidence of reflection of what you have learnt and put into practice. As an accredited qualification, the Certificate will be delivered by a training provider, approved by an Awarding Organisation. 

When I undertake the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice, how do I get the modules signed off?

Each module within the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice will be assessed by a qualified Assessor who may be employed by your organisation. 

Will there be a recognition award for completion of the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice?

The Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice is a CCEA (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment) accredited qualification for which a certificate will be awarded upon completion. 

Will I have to complete a workbook for the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice or will I have to compile a portfolio of evidence?

You will be required to complete a portfolio of evidence that may include a reflective log and/or a workbook regarding your learning and development. 

How will the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice be delivered?

The Models of Delivery are as follows:

  1. Internal – delivery of underpinning knowledge training is aligned with the employer’s in-house induction programme. This model of delivery is only possible where the employer operates an approved Vocational Qualification Assessment Centre.
  2. External – full provision by an external training provider, with all teaching and qualification delivery and assessment requirements being addressed as separate to the employer’s workplace training and induction programme.
  3. Blended/Mixed – delivery draws on training delivered by the employer, as part of the practitioner’s induction programme, and is supplemented by an external training provider who delivers underpinning knowledge training for any knowledge gaps whilst also addressing qualification delivery and assessment requirements.
See the Level 2 Certificate in Safe and Effective Practice Guidance for more information about the Certificate.

Relevant Resources

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