NVQ becoming compulsory for Care Assistant role?

I've recently started a Community Care Assistant job and at our staff meeting last week this was bought up and as far as i know it will be made compulsory next year The company will be putting me through my NVQ though.

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Thanks for your reply- do you know if that's compulsory at your place of work specifically or as law? I'm in a catch 22 situation if they won't let me do it, and I get my degree next year and want to keep this job through my postgrad- and the government apparently doesn't let you do an NVQ if you have a degree anyway... argh

Rougelipstick, would I be able to PM you? I'm having a bit of a dilemma at work and would like to talk to someone who does a similar job

I have a bank contract in a private care home as a care assistant, which enables me to pick up shifts during university holidays and occasional weekends. A lot of the staff are very gossipy and someone recently told me that it was becoming "the law" that all staff must have an NVQ level 2 in health and social care or be working towards one from September to keep their jobs.

I would have been happy to do an NVQ, and in fact went to the assessment during my summer holidays last year, but was told that since I do not have regular contracted hours I am not allowed to start one as they need to be able to regularly assess you.

I understand that different care providers set their own standards but I wondered whether anyone could verify that this "law" will in fact be coming to pass or whether it is malicious gossip? The management is so transient that I don't really have anyone senior to ask about it at work. Thank you

I am a teacher in Health and Social Care and I have been told that it is becoming compulsory this year that all staff working in any part of the health care sector will need to hold or be working towards a Level 2. I cannot find out information as yet as to when it will come in, but what will hit the employers is that they will have to pay 30% of the cost of course per learner, it would not surprise me if they do not pass this onto the learner to save them money! It has been free for many years to gain a level 2 and 3 but now due to increase in abuse in care homes etc the government are making it compulsory to hold and charging employers.

Personally I think its a good thing as it aids progression into another Level. What learners do not realise is that when you sign up for the course and you are registered, if you decide to later withdraw from the course you will not be able to get funding again for the same course.

This works across all care sectors, from care homes to hospitals, even if you have worked in that area for many years I believe you will still need to do the qualification. Lets face it if you have been doing the job for years it should be easy for you.

Good Luck

I have been working as a maternity support worker for the last 7 years within the NHS. I've been told I had to do the care certificate training which I have done but now I'm being told I have to undertake nvq training also. I already have an honours degree in diagnostic radiography. Should I have to undertake training at a lesser level and if I refuse can they sack me? Does anyone know.