National Occupational Standards
The review of newly developed National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Supported Employment is now open for consultation. The standards have been drafted by BASE in collaboration with the Learning and Skills Improvement Service (LSIS).
These standards would apply across the UK and views will be sought from qualifications bodies within Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We expect that a Welsh language version will be available shortly.
The standards would form a basis for developing workforce qualifications and ensuring that existing qualifications meet the sector’s requirements.
We want to encourage as many people as possible to comment on these occupational standards. The consultation is being managed by LSIS through the Excellence Gateway. You can respond between now and 2 March 2012. The online pack includes an online survey, plus guidance and templates to help you to hold your own internal or network discussion on the drafts and to report your views back to LSIS. Please pass on information so that as many people as possible are aware of this consultation.
All the information and downloads are available on the Excellence Gateway at http://www.excellencegateway.org.uk/page.aspx?o=320143
Please note that responses should be directed through the Excellence Gateway website and not to BASE.
Below you will find copies of the 10 draft units. Note that the Excellence Gateway site has an additional 6 related units drawn from other occupational standards. These include:
* Manage relationships with stakeholders (GOV12)
* Work in partnership with employers for the benefit of learners (LSIEE01)
* Work in partnership with employers to facilitate workforce development (LSIEE02)
* Enable individuals with sensory needs to access training, employment and career development (SCDSS5)
* Raise stakeholder awareness of the value of employment, training and education for people with mental health needs (SFHMH71)
* Manage the induction of staff (SFJCCBA3.1)
What is Supported Employment?
Supported employment is the term for high quality, personalised support for people with disabilities which enables them to seek, access and retain employment. The people who provide support tend to have a variety of job titles such as job coaches, employment advisers, employment consultants and employment support officers. Jobcentre Plus staff and Disability Employment Advisors are often a key referral route onto supported employment. A person’s line manager and colleagues in the work place can also provide support; they are sometimes called ‘natural supports’.
What are NOS?
National Occupational Standards (NOS) are the agreed UK-wide statements which describe what a person needs to do, know and understand in their job, in order to carry out their role in a consistent and competent way. In essence, they capture and inform ‘best practice’ by bringing together the skills and knowledge needed to deliver a function or job role. There are many ways in which NOS can be applied but they are most commonly used to develop qualifications - therefore it is important that these NOS accurately reflect the skills and knowledge needed to offer Supported Employment.
