Registration and qualification scenarios for management committees
and staff

These registration and qualification scenarios have been drafted to help management committees and staff in groups to understand qualification requirements and timescales for registration as managers of day care services, particularly as the deadline (30 Nov 2010) for registration is fast approaching. Currently managers may fit in to one or other of the scenarios below, giving a further 3 years for the group to agree and implement a development plan.

* A manager with an SVQ level 4 in Playwork or CCLD or with an HNC plus PDA who is due to re-register in 2010 will be given registration without a condition. It would only be when they renew their registration in 2015 that they would be registered with a condition that they gain a Level 9 Childhood Practice qualification. They would have 3 years to work towards a Childhood Practice award at Level 9 on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). The requirement to hold or to be working towards a level 9 award comes into force in 2011.

* A manager with an SVQ level 3 CCLD/Playwork/HNC EECC applying now will be given a conditional registration requiring them to achieve an appropriate manager award such as an SVQ Level 4 in Playwork or CCLD or PDA Childhood  Practice within 3 years.

* A manager with no formal qualifications can still register and will be accepted on conditional registration, as long as they meet all other criteria, which will include gaining an appropriately approved award.

* A manager who is due to re-register and has not achieved the conditions set in their registration can re-apply for registration enclosing a letter explaining the particular circumstances that have lead to them not achieving the qualification and what plans are in place that will enable them to complete it. Their case will be considered by a SSSC panel.

* A manager who was registered with conditions but no longer working in that position having changed role to practitioner and transferred registration to Register of Practitioners would be subject to meeting the qualification criteria for practitioners on re-registration. However, if this transition came about after the conditions period had elapsed, and the registrant had not met the conditions, the case would be referred to SSSC Conduct Department and the individual’s re-registration could be at risk.

The clock is ticking for managers to be registered and management committees must ensure that, if their manager is not already registered with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) or other relevant body, that they submit an application for registration by the end of May 2010.  Failure to get an application for registration in on time, could lead to delays which may be serious enough to cause a potential knock on effect for continued employability in the service. 

As employers, management committees should be raising this matter with managers, in supervision and appraisals, and making sure that they understand the consequences for themselves as employees of not being registered by the deadline date of 30 November 2010, or not complying with the conditions of their registration with the SSSC, including the requirement to achieve the relevant qualification and showing evidence of continuing professional development. Employers should also note that they will be committing an offence if they employ someone as a manager who is not registered as a manager with the SSSC.