Summary
After extensive consultation with the health and social care sector Skills for Care, Skills for Health, Children’s Workforce Development Council and Care Council for Wales linked up to produce two new Diabetes qualifications to support the need for innovative service redesign to address a skills shortfall around diabetes awareness.
The Level 2 Award in Basic awareness of Diabetes and Level 3 Certificate in working with individuals with Diabetes launched in September 2011. They continue to be accredited by increasing numbers of Awarding Organisations across the UK; as a result individuals with diabetes are empowered to make informed choices and to provide individualised care planning.
Results
The new qualifications launched in September 2011. They continue to be accredited by increasing numbers of Awarding Organisations across the UK. Statistical reports of the number of certifications will be in May 2012.
The qualifications were achieved by partners working together effectively across UK countries and across different sectors. They demonstrate the integration of health and social care is key to improving efficiency through focusing on the needs of individuals with diabetes, and ensuring consistency in qualification delivery.
The qualifications are monitored through quality assurance processes, including those of Awarding Bodies, in line with the registration and regulations set out by the regulatory body Ofqual. Further scrutiny will be undertaken by the responsible Sector Skills Council to ensure the qualifications remain fit for purpose.
This ensures less bureaucracy and greater cost efficiency for commissioners and other professionals.
Challenge
Extensive consultation within the health and social care sectors in each UK country highlighted a need for innovative service redesign to address a skills shortfall around diabetes awareness. There is an urgent need for a competent workforce with the capacity and skills to deliver effective diabetes care.
Solution
Skills for Care, Skills for Health, Children’s Workforce Development Council and Care Council for Wales produced practical units providing comprehensive, standardised education for the social care workforce.
Research was carried out to find best practice in diabetes care. The integrated career and competency framework for diabetes nursing, and other best practice were then used to draft the qualifications units.
Diabetes UK, individuals with diabetes and Awarding Organisations reviewed the units, giving them a credit value and level – and the structure of the qualifications was agreed.
The target audience covers a diverse range of job roles and occupational areas in both health and social care across all service user groups and ages, working in statutory (including NHS), private and voluntary agencies.
The new qualifications are:
Level 2 Award in Basic awareness of Diabetes
Level 3 Certificate in working with individuals with Diabetes
