Sleep Action: Bringing national recognition to specialist sleep training
Working together to formally recognise established professional training
Sleep Action is the UK's oldest sleep charity, working with professionals, families and employers to promote healthy sleep through training and education.
With more than 28 years' experience delivering its specialist training, Sleep Action worked with Fife College to have its Sleep Counselling for Children and Young People training formally credit-rated at SCQF Level 7, with four credit points.
Recognising established expertise
Sleep Action has been delivering its Sleep Counselling for Children and Young People training for more than 28 years to professionals working across the NHS, social care, education and voluntary sectors.
With the training already well known and respected, Sleep Action wanted to gain external recognition that reflected the quality and rigour of its learning.
Working with Fife College enabled Sleep Action to have its training formally credit rated and recognised on the SCQF Register.
A supportive process
Sleep Action found the credit-rating process thorough, but felt well supported by the Fife College team throughout.
“The credit rating process was a lot of work, but we were supported fantastically all along the way by the Fife College team. They were always happy to answer questions, meet with us to discuss progress, and check in to make sure we were on track.”
The collaborative approach helped Sleep Action navigate the process and ensure its training met the requirements for formal recognition.
Recognising learning across the UK and Ireland
Having the training formally recognised through the SCQF has brought significant benefits for both Sleep Action and its learners.
For the organisation, it provides independent recognition of the quality and rigour of its training, strengthening its credibility with learners and employers.
For participants, it assures that they have completed a recognised qualification that can add value to their skills and career development.
The national framework also offers an important benefit for Sleep Action's learners across the UK and Ireland.
“The fact that SCQF is transferable beyond Scotland was very attractive to us. We train professionals all over the UK and Ireland, so the ability for them to use the qualification in their respective local area was essential.”
Considering credit rating for your learning?
Sleep Action's experience demonstrates how formal credit rating can strengthen the recognition and credibility of established learning, while providing added value for learners and employers.
Its advice to other organisations considering credit rating their learning is simple:
“Do it! It does make you really scrutinise your training and processes, but all for the better.”