Hi Sheila,

I just wanted to ask you a question – Is NVQ level 2 not important as it is level 3?if you holding a NVQ level 2 in heath and social care and having 16 years of experience. Will you consider that person a Senior carer. Or some body holding a NVQ 3. With no experience. To be a senior carer?

Answered by Sheila Scott

Dear Peppina,

I do of course have my own views on your question but the point here is that each home will have a different position about a question like this.

The important point for me is that having a qualification is not enough, it is the experience too that is very important.

When a Registered Manager is appointed and then registered by CQC no one would think it was acceptable for the Manager to have only qualifications, they must have experience too and for me it is the same for a carer who is a shift leader or in charge of the home during a particular shift, it is the combination of qualification and experience that is important.

I can go no further than that because as I said before this will be a matter for the policies of an individual home.

With best wishes.

Sheila