The Information Services NTO News Updates:

Withdrawal of SVQs

Firstly it has to be said that this is a perpetual risk where take-up of qualifications is low and I have been warning Scottish colleagues of this for years. This does not, of course, excuse the brusque way SQA has gone about this withdrawal, without any consultation with ourselves as UK Standard Setting Body for this sector, or any other interested parties.
 
Looking ahead, there are actions we can and will take. Firstly, we can try to get SQA to re-consider their decision: this will not be easy but working with our friends in SLIC and CILIPs we’ll give it a go.
 
Secondly, if SQA remain intransigent, we can ask our Awarding Body for the rest of the UK, City & Guilds, to take on Assessment Centres in Scotland. We have already raised this with them and they are not unsympathetic.
 
None of this can happen, however, unless we get strong indications from Scottish heads of service that they want this qualification and intend to take it up. These expressions of support should be emailed to alix@isnto1.fsnet.co.uk very urgently. We intend, hopefully in partnership with SLIC and CILIPs, to hold an open meeting soon to discuss these issues, further information regarding this meeting will be posted when available.