Edinburgh College Banner

Health Professions & Social Services

SVQ Social Services and Healthcare 3 - SCQF Level 7

Campus Sighthill Campus

Qualification SCQF Level 7

Study mode Open learning

Start date Aug 2025

Course enquiry form

Note your interest for this course.
Enter your full name
Enter your email address
This form collects your name and email address so we can contact you with pre-application information on future courses including application deadlines, campus open days and course information. Read our privacy notice to find out how we collect, store and use your data (and for information on withdrawing your consent).

Course overview

This qualification is suitable for people who are employed in the health and social care sector in a practitioner or a 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 people need to perform their job role effectively. You will be allocated an assessor who will work with you to gather evidence demonstrating 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 self and others that you are responsible for within the service, for example, monitoring and maintaining health, safety and security, promoting working practices that are safe, healthy and secure, 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 your practice by using development opportunities.
  • Promote the safeguarding of individuals, for example, establish your understanding about safeguarding and what you must do in cases of actual or potential harm or abuse

Writing a Personal Statement

In your personal statement we ask that you be very concise. The information we require is as follows:

1: Who is your current employer?

2: What is your current job title?

3: What are your main roles and responsibilities?

Fees & Funding 

Fee: £1,200

Estimated Duration: 12 months

Edinburgh College makes every effort to support you throughout your qualification. However, if you do not engage with the qualification and do not complete it within the estimated completion period, 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 some or all costs. These include:

  • Fees paid by employer or student
  • SAAS Part-Time Fee Grants may be available for those candidates on courses at SCQF Level 7 and above, should candidates meet the eligibility criteria for this. 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 on this please use this link: Scottish Social Services Council - Voluntary Sector Development Fund - Funding Scotland
  • Modern Apprenticeship funding may be available at all levels subject to funding allocations. Please note, there are additional requirements for accessing this funding such as completing additional units, completing regular and thorough review meetings, etc. This funding may fully or partially fund 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 4 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.

How 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 5.5

Progression 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
Sighthill Campus Open learning 25/08/25

You may also be interested in these courses

Health Professions & Social Services

Preparation for University Access to Nursing

This fast-track course is designed for people with few or no qualifications looking to begin a rewarding career as a nur...

Read more and apply

Campus
Milton Road Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 7

Study mode
Full time

Health Professions & Social Services

Introduction to Social Services

Introduction to Social Services is designed to channel your passion for working with others and is a stepping stone towa...

Read more and apply

Campus
Sighthill Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 7

Study mode
Full time

Health Professions & Social Services

Social Services Professions

If you are looking for a challenging career, development opportunities and making a real difference in people’s lives th...

Read more and apply

Campus
Milton Road Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 7

Study mode
Full time

Health Professions & Social Services

Counselling For Beginners: Level 6

Counselling for Beginners is appropriate for adults aged 18 and over seeking to develop a career in counselling. It is a...

Read more and apply

Campus
Sighthill Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 7

Study mode
Evening

Health Professions & Social Services

PDA Health and Social Care Supervision

The Professional Development Award (PDA) in Health and Social Care Supervision at SCQF Level 7 is a qualification that h...

Read more and apply

Campus
OL - Open Learning/Cross Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 7

Study mode
Part time

Health Professions & Social Services

Gateway to Healthcare: Phase 2

Gateway to Healthcare: Phase 2 (Formally Introduction to Health Services) can lead towards a rewarding career as a healt...

Read more and apply

Campus
Sighthill Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 7

Study mode
Full time

Health Professions & Social Services

SVQ CYP Social Services SCQF Level 7

This course is suitable for people who are currently employed as practitioners or in a key worker role in:Residential ch...

Read more and apply

Campus
OL - Open Learning/Cross Campus

Qualification
SCQF Level 7

Study mode
Open learning