Resources

The Resources library will expand as the Framework is implemented and developed. Check here regularly for the latest downloads.

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The library currently includes:

SCQF Partnership resources

Nomenclature Explained - a guide to naming qualifications and learning programmes for the SCQF (pdf - 1.40mb)

SCQF Credit Points Explained - guidance on notional learning hours (pdf - 767Kb)

SCQF Credit Rating Criteria Explained - guidance on learning outcomes, notional learning hours and assessment (pdf - 1.17mb)

Guidelines to Promote and Support the Credit Rating Process in Colleges in Scotland (pdf - 310kb)

SCQF Update 16 - the latest edition of SCQF Update for autumn/winter 2011(pdf - 721kb)

Realising Your Potential - a guide to the SCQF for lifelong learners (16+) (pdf - 234kb)

Achievement Counts 2011 - a guide to credits and qualifications for school-age learners (pdf - 127kb)

Credit Where Credit's Due - a guide to credits and qualifications for parents and carers (pdf - 131kb) 

A4 Framework Guide - a comprehensive guide to the Framework for learners, learning providers and employers (pdf - 127kb)

Summary of the credit points for qualifications - for anyone with an interest in learning (pdf - 24.7kb)

A Guide for Employers - explains how employers of all sizes can use the SCQF in recruitment and workforce development. Also provides information on understanding SCQF levels and using the SCQF Level Descriptors (pdf - 825kb)

Employer Leaflet - a short guide to how the Framework can help employers (pdf - 196kb)

Employer Toolkit

Would you credit it? -  a short guide for employers describing the benefits of having learning programmes credit rated and recognised on the SCQF (pdf - 216kb)

A3 Framework Diagram - for anyone with an interest in learning and Scottish qualifications (pdf - 356kb)

The SCQF Explained - a guide to the role of the SCQF in lifelong learning (pdf - 315kb)

Qualifications can cross boundaries leaflet - for anyone with an interest in how qualifications compare in the UK and Ireland (pdf - 1.68mb)

SCQF Handbook: User Guide (with updated Framework Dec 2009) - for credit rating bodies and those developing/delivering qualifications in the workplace  and community. This is a technical document that explains how the Framework can be used to support and develop Scotland's lifelong learning agenda (pdf - 1.69mb)

Interactive SCQF Handbook: User Guide - interactive version of the SCQF Handbook

SCQF Level Descriptors Booklet (A5) - handy A5-sized format of the SCQF Level Descriptors (pdf - 928kb)

Quality Assurance Model: Guidance Notes for CRBs - QA principles, criteria, application process and ongoing arrangements for becoming an SCQF Credit Rating Body (pdf - 2.37mb) 

Overview of Quality Assurance - this short guide provides information on the quality assurance systems used by SCQF Credit Rating Bodies (pdf - 175kb)

Credit Rating and Benchmarking: What's the Difference? - short leaflet which explains the differences between the formal credit rating and informal benchmarking processes (pdf - 147kb)

Social Services

Understanding the SCQF - An initial guide for Early Education and Childcare (pdf - 73.9kb)

Social Services Toolkit
SSSC RPL Resource Pack (pdf - 419kb)
SSSC RPL Profiling Tool (pdf - 207kb)
SSSC RPL Mentor Guidance Pack (pdf - 429kb)
SSSC RPL Links to SVQ3 (pdf - 185kb)

SSSC Evaluation Report of RPL Pilot - July 2008 
This toolkit was developed for those working within the Social Services Sector and is a useful tool when undertaking the process of the recognition of prior learning within the social services sector (pdf - 157kb)

Healthcare

NHS Education Scotland & SCQF - Masterclasses Report - March 2006
Three regional 'Masterclasses' were hosted in March 2006 for key delegates from NHS Boards to explore the SCQF in more detail and to help inform future project work streams (pdf - 244kb)

SCQF Levels Descriptors Guidance for NHS 2007
The SCQF provides a national vocabulary for describing learning opportunities so making the relationships between qualifications clearer. It will clarify entry and exit points, help map routes for progression within and across education and training sectors and increase the opportunities for credit transfer. In these ways it will assist learners to plan their progress and minimise duplication of learning (pdf - 1.02mb)

SCQF Valuing Your Learning RPL Guidance Leaflet 2007
SCQF does provide opportunity for valuing all forms of learning through a process called 'Recognition of Prior Informal Learning' (RPL). This guidance builds upon that contained within the leaflet et entitled "Recognition of Prior Informal Learning (RPL) A Brief Overview for the NHS in Scotland" and has been put together to inform you about RPL so that you, and others whenever appropriate, can value your learning. The guidance will help you understand RPL, its uses and what you could do for RPL (pdf - 1.30mb)

NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) Leaflet 2007
KSF defines and describes the knowledge and skills which NHS staff (except doctors and dentists) need to apply in their work in order to deliver quality services. It provides a single, consistent, comprehensive and explicit framework on which review and development of all staff is based (pdf - 1.79mb)

SCQF NHS leaflet 2007
The SCQF has the potential to recognise learning from a range of experiences, therefore it potentially reduces dependency on courses or programmes of learning. However, where such courses and programmes are required, the SCQF accords a meaningful value to the learning achieved (pdf - 5.53mb)

NHS Education for Scotland Conference Report - Dec 2005
New opportunities: realising the potential of the SCQF and the Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) (pdf - 3.27mb)

RESOURCES FOR POLICY MAKERS

SCQF Partnership Strategic Plan 2011-2014 (pdf - 110kb)

SCQF Operational Plan 2011-2012 (pdf - 138kb)

SCQF Annual Report 2010-11 (pdf - 382kb)

Scoping Exercise on International Comparisons with China and India - Final report with findings of scoping exercise undertaken by SQA on behalf of the SCQF Partnership (pdf - 632kb)

Implementation of the EQF in the UK 2010-2011 - a summary of activities from the European Qualifications Framework National Coordination Points (pdf - 1.84mb)

Qualifications Frameworks of the UK EQF Report (Updated March 2010)
Representatives from each of the UK's National Frameworks
worked collectively to produce this summary UK report of their EQF referencing projects which was submitted to the European Commission along with the individual country reports in 2009 (pdf - 1.7mb) 

European Guidelines for validation of non-formal/informal learning
This publication presents the conclusions of more than two years of intensive exchange of experiences, involving representatives from more than 20 European countries, in validating non-formal and informal learning. The main objective is to make the outcomes of this common learning process available to a wider audience to support further development of validation of non-formal and informal learning at European, national and local levels (pdf - 1.08mb)

Evaluation Report - SCQF College Credit Rating Pilot -
Oct 2006
This report evaluates the collective experience of the eight colleges who participated in the pilot project and makes recommendations for further development of credit rating in colleges (pdf - 332kb)

Inspire Scotland report
In 2007 the SCQF Forum requested that the SCQF Partnership provide a report to identify the extent of RPL activity in Scotland. Consultants were engaged to conduct a review with the aim of assisting the SCQFP to identify the priorities for the SCQF Executive Team to take forward to address the challenges identified in Skills for Scotland. The report provides several recommendations and suggestions for developmental activities to address the requirements on both the demand and supply side (pdf - 177kb)

SVQ Titles & the SCQF
A list of frequently asked questions produced by SQA on SQA Accreditation's SVQ Titling Policy (pdf)  

SCQF Scoping Study for Migrant Workers

Community Learning & Development

CLD CPD Portfolio (zipped pdf - 1.65mb)

CLD CPD Blank Forms
A resource for Community Learning and Development staff to record learning, experience and achievements (zipped pdf - 947kb)

Worth Doing publication - October 08 (pdf - 2.49mb)

SCQF Collaborative Projects - RPL Portfolio (Poster) (pdf - 106kb)

CLDMS SCQF Community Activist Training (Poster) (pdf - 60.2kb)

CLDMS SCQF Posters (Levelling of non-accredited ALN Learning; Mapping Youth Worker Training; Collaborative Projects) (pdf - 5.20mb)

CLDMS SCQF Projects - Update on progress (January 2008) (Word - 58kb)

Assessment Methods for selected short courses (pdf - 146kb)

Critical understanding of SCQF within adult education in the voluntary sector (pdf - 208kb)

Recognising Prior Learning in Community Learning and Development using the SCQF (pdf - 252kb)