All VTCT qualifications are competence based and it is necessary to achieve 100% competence. This gives clients and employers the confidence that you can safely and effectively apply the skills covered by your qualifications. Because VTCT International qualifications are based primarily upon practical performance they use a system in which you are assessed against the requirements as laid down by the Awarding Body.
If you take a formal assessment and the Assessor believes you are not yet competent, you will be told what it is you have to do and advised how to do it before re-assessment. Case studies are required to be undertaken after the practical training for VTCT qualifications at the centre. Upon completion case studies should be submitted as part of the Portfolio of Evidence which is marked and assessed.
A Record of Assessment Book will contain the supporting material for use by our Assessor and Verifier to confirm that items related to ranges, theoretical knowledge, recorded practical competences and tests have been covered and are placed into the Portfolio of Evidence and recorded in the Record of Assessment book by the student as evidence of work completed. Your Tutor will instruct you on how the portfolio should be prepared and constructed.
VTCT Record of Assessment books contain the mandatory units that make up each qualification. Where indicated, VTCT will provide assessment materials. Assessments may be internal or external. The method of assessment is indicated in each unit. Assessment is set, marked and internally verified by our centre to clearly demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. Assessment is sampled by VTCT external verifiers. External assessment is set and marked byVTCT. Independent assessment is set by VTCT, marked in our centre, and sampled by VTCT external verifiers.
VTCT courses are assessed and verified by our centre staff. Work will be set to improve your practical skills, knowledge and understanding. For practical elements, you will be observed by your assessor. All your work must be collected in a portfolio of evidence and cross-referenced to requirements listed in this record of assessment book. We have internal verifiers whose role is to check that your assessment and evidence is valid and reliable and meets VTCT and regulatory requirements. An external verifier, appointed by VTCT, will visit our centre to sample and quality-check assessments, the internal verification process and the evidence gathered twice a year. You may be asked to attend on a different day from usual if requested by the external verifier.
The record of assessment book is your property and must be in your possession when you are being assessed or verified. It must be kept safe. In some cases our centre will be required to keep it in a secure place. You and your course assessor will together complete this book to show achievement of all learning outcomes, assessment criteria and ranges.
As part of any VTCT qualification you are required to produce a portfolio of evidence. A portfolio will confirm the knowledge, understanding and skills that have been learned. Your assessor will provide guidance on how to prepare the portfolio of evidence and how to show practical achievement, and understanding of the knowledge required to successfully complete your qualification. It is in your record of assessment book along with the portfolio of evidence that will serve as the prime source of evidence for your
qualification.
Evidence in the portfolio may take the following forms:
- observed work
- witness statements
- audio-visual media
- evidence of prior learning or attainment;
- written questions
- oral questions
- assignments
- case studies
All evidence should be documented in the portfolio and cross referenced to the outcomes. Constructing the portfolio of evidence should not be left to the end of the course.
A minimum number of case studies will need to be completed. Each case study must include a client questionnaire, lifestyle assessment, consent form, consultation record, treatment record, after care advice and client feedback.
Our new Course Management System (CMS) Moodle, also known as a Learning Management System (LMS) or a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) allows both tutors and students to structure their teachings and learning.
Verification is the process used by VTCT to check that the assessments have been undertaken properly and in accordance with their requirements. It is only when the Internal and External Verifier are satisfied that all the proper procedures have been undertaken, that a certificate can be issued.
So now you know what is involved in studying for a VTCT qualification, lets look at the qualifications available.