Appendix 1 Academic and Career Frameworks This appendix provides details of the most relevant academic and career frameworks to this study. The Framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, August 2008 1 This framework applies to degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic awards (other than honorary degrees and higher doctorates) granted by a higher education provider in the exercise of its degree awarding powers. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education states that in the UK and Ireland: each stage within any framework of qualifications, be it school, vocational, further or higher education, is commonly referred to as a 'level'. In practice, most such levels represent bands of qualifications that share similar expectations of attainment. The FHEQ has five levels, three of which are undergraduate and two are postgraduate. These are numbered -8, succeeding levels 1-3 which precede higher education in The National Qualifications Framework and The Qualifications and Credit Framework (NQF/QCF). FHEQ level 2 Typical higher education qualifications within each level 8 Doctoral degrees (e.g., PhD/DPhil (including new-route PhD), EdD, DBA, DClinPsy) 3 7 Master's degrees (eg, MPhil, MLitt, MRes, MA, MSc) Integrated master's degrees qualifications (eg, MEng, MChem, MPhys, MPharm) Postgraduate diplomas Postgraduate certificates 6 Bachelor's degrees with honours (eg, BA/BSc Hons) Bachelor's degrees Graduate diplomas Graduate certificates Foundation Degrees (e.g., FdA, FdSc) Diplomas of Higher Education (DipHE Higher National Diplomas (HND) Higher National Certificates (HNC) Certificates of Higher Education (CertHE) 1 Adapted from: Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, 2008, The framework for higher education qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Gloucester, QAA. 2 Formerly, in the 2001 edition of the FHEQ, the levels were identified as Certificate (C), Intermediate (I), Honours (H), Masters (M) and Doctoral (D) level. 3 Professional doctorate programmes include some taught elements in addition to the research dissertation. Practice varies but typically professional doctorates include postgraduate study equivalent to a minimum of three full-time calendar years with level 7 study representing no more than one-third of this. Integrated master's degree programmes typically include study equivalent to at least four full-time academic years, of which study equivalent to at least one full-time academic year is at level 7. Thus study at bachelor's level is integrated with study at master's level and the programmes are designed to meet the level 6 and level 7 qualification descriptors in full. Higher National Certificates (HNCs) are positioned at level, to reflect typical practice among higher education awarding bodies that award the HNC under licence from Edexcel. Scoping and mapping education & qualifications for public health practitioners February 2009 1
The National Qualifications Framework Previous levels (and examples) Current levels (and examples) Relationship to the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications Level NVQ in Construction 8 Specialist awards Doctorates Management Level Diploma in Translation 7 Level 7 Diploma in Translation Level NVQ in Advice and Guidance Level National Diploma in Professional Production Skills Level BTEC Higher National Diploma in 3D Design Level Certificate in Early Years 3 Level 3 Certificate in Small Animal Care Level 3 NVQ in Aeronautical Engineering A levels 2 Level 2 Diploma for Beauty Specialists Level 2 NVQ in Agricultural Crop Production GCSEs Grades A*-C 1 Level 1 Certificate in Motor Vehicle Studies Level 1 NVQ in Bakery GCSEs Grades D-G Entry Entry Level Certificate in Adult Literacy 6 Level 6 National Diploma in Professional Production Skills Level BTEC Higher National Diploma in 3D Design Level Certificate in Early Years Masters degrees, postgraduate certificates and diplomas Bachelor degrees, graduate certificates and diplomas Diplomas of higher education and further education, foundation degrees and higher national diplomas Certificates of higher education The framework outlined in the table above dates from 2006 6. A new framework for recognising and accrediting qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is currently being implemented as part of a major reform of vocational qualifications. Every unit and qualification in the new framework will have credit value (one credit represents 10 hours, showing how much time it takes to complete) and a level between Entry level and level 8 (showing how difficult it is). There will be three sizes of qualification: awards (1-12 credits); certificates (13-36 credits); diplomas (37 credits or more). The new approach is illustrated below. 6 Qualifications and Curriculum Authority; Qualifications, Curriculum and Assessment Authority for Wales; Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, March 2006, The National Qualifications Framework. Scoping and mapping education & qualifications for public health practitioners February 2009 2
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework 7 SCQF Levels SQA Qualifications Higher Education Qualifications Scottish Vocational Qualifications 12 Doctorates 11 Masters/PG Diploma/PG Certificate 10 Honours Degree/Graduate Diploma 9 Professional Development Awards 8 Higher National Diploma 7 Advanced Higher Higher National Certificate 6 Higher Ordinary Degree/Graduate Certificate Diploma of Higher Education Certificate of Higher Education SVQ SVQ SVQ3 Intermediate 2 Credit Standard Grade Intermediate 1 General Standard Grade 3 Access 3 Foundation Standard Grade 2 Access 2 National certificates National Progression Awards SVQ2 SVQ1 1 Access 1 7 See: www.scqf.org.uk. Scoping and mapping education & qualifications for public health practitioners February 2009 3
NHS Career Framework Key Elements See also Career Framework Descriptors (Skills for Health, January 2008) for more detailed descriptions of expectations at each level. 9 8 7 6 3 2 1 More Senior Staff - Level 9 Staff with the ultimate responsibility for clinical caseload decision making and full on-call accountability. Consultant Practitioners- Level 8 Staff working at a very high level of clinical expertise and/or have responsibility for planning of services. Advanced Practitioners - Level 7 Experienced clinical professionals who have developed their skills and theoretical knowledge to a very high standard. They are empowered to make high-level clinical decisions and will often have their own caseload. Non-clinical staff at Level 7 will typically be managing a number of service areas. Senior Practitioners/Specialist Practitioners - Level 6 Staff who would have a higher degree of autonomy and responsibility than 'Practitioners' in the clinical environment, or who would be managing one or more service areas in the non-clinical environment. Practitioners - Level Most frequently registered practitioners in their first and second post-registration/ professional qualification jobs. Assistant Practitioners/Associate Practitioners - Level Probably studying for foundation degree, BTEC higher or HND. Some of their remit will involve them in delivering protocol-based clinical care that had previously been in the remit of registered professionals, under the direction and supervision of a state registered practitioner. Senior Healthcare Assistants/Technicians - Level 3 Have a higher level of responsibility than support worker, probably studying for, or have attained NVQ level 3, or Assessment of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Support Workers - Level 2 Frequently with the job title of 'Healthcare Assistant' or 'Healthcare Technician' - probably studying for or has attained NVQ Level 2. Initial Entry Level Jobs - Level 1 Such as 'Domestics' or 'Cadets' requiring very little formal education or previous knowledge, skills or experience in delivering, or supporting the delivery of healthcare. (Adapted from a publication by Skills for Health) Scoping and mapping education & qualifications for public health practitioners February 2009
Public Health Skills and Career Framework Framework Levels and Sample Roles 9 8 7 6 3 2 1 Framework Levels Sets strategic direction across organisations and/or areas of work. Provides multi-disciplinary or multisectoral public health leadership that determines priorities. Has a high level of expertise in a specific area of work or across a substantial breadth of service delivery and/or programmes. Is accountable for work across boundaries and agencies. Has leadership responsibility and autonomy to act. Sets strategic direction in own area of work. Has autonomy and expertise in areas of public health. Will lead on areas of work within a defined field. Has autonomy and responsibility in coordinating complex work, reflecting wider and deeper expertise in own area of work. Able to develop, facilitate and contribute to programmes of work in multi-agency or multi-disciplinary environment. Has autonomy in specified areas, continually develops own area of work and supports others to understand it. May contribute to a programme of work in multi-agency or multi-disciplinary environment. Has responsibility for specific areas of public health work with guidance, which may have a breadth and/or depth of application. May carry out a range of public health activities or small areas of work under supervision. May assist in training others and could have responsibility for resources used by others. May use public health knowledge to set priorities and make decisions in a wider context. Has gained basic public health knowledge through training and/or development. May undertake a range of defined public health activities under guidance or may use knowledge to influence public health in a wider context. Has little previous knowledge, skills or experience in public health. May undertake specific public health activities under direction or may acknowledge the value of public health in a wider context. Sample Roles Director of public health in PCT, SHA or health board, director of public health observatory, head of adult social care and health, consultant in health protection, regional or national lead in health improvement, regional epidemiologist, director of community planning Deputy director of public health in PCT, head of information in public health observatory, director of environmental health, regional health emergency planning adviser, senior research fellow, head of public health in LA or CHP, lead pharmacy public health specialist, principal environmental health officer, health protection nurse specialist, nurse consultant, area health promotion manager, head of health improvement and planning, investors for health manager, health promotion commissioner, community development manager, service and corporate planner, cross-sector or multi-agency partnership lead Health emergency planning adviser in HPA, senior researcher in NHS unit, senior health promotion officer, public health dietitian/nutrition specialist, specialist smoking advisor, health visitor, school nurse team leader, health trainer programme manager, pharmacy public health specialist, environmental health officer, health protection nurse, health improvement manager or programme lead, community development manager, drug and alcohol coordinator, health promotion officer, sexual health adviser, service and corporate planner Specialist in community public health nursing (e.g. school nurse, health visitor, occupational health nurse); children s family nurse, specialist smoking advisor, senior information analyst in PCT support service, regional information officer in HPA, school food adviser, pharmacy public health facilitator, health trainer programme co-coordinator, senior health improvement officer, environmental health officer, drug and alcohol coordinator, health promotion officer, sexual health adviser, oral health promoter Nutrition advisor (health promotion), community nutrition worker, public health information analyst in PCT, health protection information officer, community pharmacist, environmental technical officer, smoking cessation coordinator, oral health promoter, clinical dental health educator, allied health professional, registered nurse Health visitor assistant, community nursery nurse, intelligence officer in regional government office, primary drugs education development worker (Healthy Schools), advanced community food worker (nutrition and dietetic service), health protection administrator, health visitor assistant, social care assistant, community-based dental health educator, safety officer (e.g. in the home or community), housing officer, countryside officer, community relations officer, teacher, planning officer Stop smoking adviser, health promotion resources officer, community food worker, fluoride technician (schools), child smile worker (oral health), health promotion assistant, clerical officer in health protection unit, health trainer, clinical dental educator, pest control officer, dog warden, porter acting as smoking cessation worker, catering services manager, senior community pharmacy support staff Dental health worker (schools), public health receptionist in NHS unit, administrator or admin assistant (e.g. in drug and alcohol team, community safety unit, public health development unit), peer educator, lay health worker, childcare worker, classroom assistant, crèche worker, refuge worker, refuse worker, health care assistant, community pharmacy support staff Volunteer workers (e.g. in breast feeding) Scoping and mapping education & qualifications for public health practitioners February 2009
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