We would like to provide further clarification regarding the required duration of assessment for the following qualifications:

• 8040-04 Level 2 Health and Social Care Practice: Adults
• 8040-05 Level 3 Health and Social Care Practice: Adults
• 8040-06 Level 3 Health and Social Care Practice: Children & Young People
• 8041-13 Level 2 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice
• 8041-15 Level 3 Children’s Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice

During their sampling activities, City & Guilds External Quality Assurers (EQA) will request reassurance that the assessment period indicated in the assessment packs is accommodated within the candidate’s evidence.  Please refer to the table below for confirmation of these durations.

Please note that the summative assessment journey commences after a successful outcome of the readiness for assessment (RFA) process has been achieved. The summative assessment journey includes the completion of all aspects of the structured tasks.

Assessor observations completed during the RFA process are not part of the summative assessment journey and therefore do not contribute to the minimum of four assessor observations that relate to the four plans required by the assessment strategy. 

The four summative assessment observations are linked to the activity plans prepared by the candidate and should seek to assess their practice over time.  This requires that these activities are not clustered together in a short period but instead are undertaken over a number of months.  This approach will ensure sufficient time for candidate reflection to take place, additional support and/or training to be completed, and for the final task to be planned and undertaken.

If extenuating circumstances occur that may impact a candidate’s assessment journey, these must be brought to the attention of the EQA and the HCLW Quality team as soon as possible and before the final internal quality assurance (IQA) activity. 

If during sampling or other activities, our EQA identifies candidates whose duration of assessment has been shorter than those referred to in the relevant assessment pack, these candidates will be referred to the HCLW Quality team and certification may be impacted.

Please ensure that your IQA policy and process confirm that the assessment journey for all candidates is sufficient to ensure a safe and reliable decision of competency, including distance traveled.  Certification of candidates who have not met these requirements may be referred for investigation under our malpractice policy.