adaptation guidance - vtct

Beauty, Nails and Spa TherapyHairdressing and Barbering

NVQ Centre Adaptation Guidance

Smarter support for brighter futures

VTCT, Aspire House, Annealing Close, Eastleigh,Hampshire SO50 9PX United Kingdom

NVQ Centre Adaptation Guidance_Hair and Beauty Book v5

03EERF Centre Guidance - Hairdressing and Beauty - VRQ

Contents

Statement regarding temporary adaptations and flexibilities to competency qualifications due to COVID-19 04

List Beauty, Nails and Spa Therapy NVQ qualifications 06

Adaptations for Beauty, Nails and Spa Therapy NVQ qualifications 07

List Hairdressing and Barbering NVQ qualifications 09

Adaptations for Hairdressing and Barbering NVQ qualifications 10

Statement regarding temporary adaptations and flexibilities to competency qualifications due to COVID-19PurposeThe coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in restrictions to education and training during 2020 and 2021. The Government has provided guidance on close contact services and it is possible the public health restrictions may continue either locally or nationally during the rest of the academic year. This document sets out the adaptations, which are permissible for National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) under Ofqual’s Extended Extraordinary Regulatory Framework (E-ERF).

AimThe document’s aim is to provide clear direction, guidance and support for learners, centres, employers and training providers. It is provided in relation to temporary adaptations and flexibilities of qualifications due to COVID-19.

The impact of COVID-19The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic impact on the hairdressing and beauty therapy sector and will continue to do so. New ways of working will be required to mitigate the risk of the pandemic. Never the less maintaining professionalism, competency and standards within the sector is a key determiner to the sector returning to a new normal and assuring public confidence.

Impact of proposed changes to competency levelsIt is important that any adaptations or flexibilities applied to the qualifications maintain the rigour and validity required and do not devalue the qualifications, leading to confusion over levels of competence.

The following principles will be applied when considering any adaptations. The adaptations:

1. must ensure that learners are competent and safe to practise, meeting health, safety and legal requirements

2. must meet COVID-safe risk assessment guidance as detailed in the current Government guidelines

3. must support the standards set by employers, standard setting authorities, and individual industries

4. will neither advantage or disadvantage learners historically, now or in the future

5. must maintain the validity, reliability, and integrity of standards and qualifications

6. must cover all the knowledge, skills, behaviours, and competencies

7. must consider learners’ attendance and duration of learning completed, addressing any gaps in learning

All stakeholders have a duty of care to every learner and ultimately the client/customer. The achievement of an NVQ is confirmation of competence that a learner is 100% job ready to work in the sector, endorsed by the learner’s issued certificate.


Wherever possible the full qualification must be completed as detailed in the qualification specification; flexibilities have been agreed if a service or treatment cannot be completed due to Government restrictions or the current Government guidelines preclude the full qualification being completed (due to social distancing or limited space restrictions).

DefinitionsAn adaptation is a permitted change of regulated qualifications in line with Ofqual’s Extended Extraordinary Regulated Framework (E-ERF)

A flexibility is the ability to change or something to be changed easily within the qualification according to the situation

The following treatments and services qualifications are included within the hairdressing and barbering, and beauty, nails and spa suites of qualifications: • Beauty Therapy – manual facial/massage/general/make-up

• Hair removal service/waxing/threading/sugaring/male and female intimate waxing

• Eye treatments/shaping/tinting/artistry

• Manicure/pedicure/gel polish/nail art

• Single eyelash extension treatments/eyelash extensions/eyelash perming

• Facial and body electrotherapy treatments

• Microdermabrasion

• Epilation/electrocautery

• Spa therapy/body treatments

• Massage therapies/Swedish/stone/Thai

• Indian head massage

• Nail services/technologies

• Nail enhancements – UV gel/liquid and powder

• Beauty and make-up consultant

• Hairdressing

• Barbering

• Hairstyling – bridal

• Styling and finishing hair (men’s/women’s)

• Shampooing, conditioning, and treating the scalp

• Platting and twisting hair

• Cutting men’s hair

• Cutting hair

• Colouring hair

List of Beauty, Nails and Spa Therapy NVQ qualifications

QN Code Qualification title

500/9332/0 AB10025 VTCT Level 1 NVQ Certificate in Beauty Therapy

600/3465/8 AB20290 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Award in Eyebrow and Eyelash Treatments

600/4014/2 AB20330 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Award in Make-Up

600/3925/5 AB20329 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Award in Providing Manicure Services

600/3926/7 AB20308 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Award in Providing Pedicure Services

500/8839/7 AB20026 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy General

500/8814/2 AB20027 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy Make-Up

500/8840/3 AB20028 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services

600/3448/8 AB30292 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Award in Airbrush Make-Up

600/3378/2 AB30295 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Award in Fashion and Photographic Make-Up

600/3366/6 AB30296 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Award in Female Intimate Waxing

600/3934/6 AB30334 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Award in Indian Head Massage

600/3365/4 AB30298 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Award in Nail Enhancement using Liquid and Powder

600/3364/2 AB30299 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Award in Nail Enhancement using UV Gel

600/3361/7 AB30300 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Award in Self Tanning

600/3469/5 AB30301 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Award in Single Eyelash Extension Treatments

500/8860/9 AB30029 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy General

500/8813/0 AB30030 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy Make-Up

500/8861/0 AB30031 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Beauty Therapy Massage

500/9078/1 AB30032 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services

500/8881/6 AB30033 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Spa Therapy


Adaptations for Beauty, Nails and Spa Therapy NVQ qualificationsKnowledge and understandingThe learner must demonstrate 100% achievement of the knowledge and understanding as detailed within the qualification specification.

The recommended approach, including the knowledge and understanding statements usually assessed by externally set mandatory testing (closed book) or knowledge assignments, is as follows:

• Where possible knowledge should be inferred from practical observation and evidenced

• Where knowledge cannot be inferred, oral questions and answers and professional discussion should be used to generate evidence against the remaining criteria

• Assessment of knowledge, oral questions and answers and professional discussion sessions must be carried out by an assessor who is occupationally competent and in a way that authenticates the responses are the learners own

• All evidence gathered should be traceable, auditable, and authenticated

Centres will need to apply, to VTCT using the following email address for the EQA Customer Queries inbox [email protected]

Remote centre invigilationCentres can apply to VTCT for approval to carry out remote centre invigilation of the external theory examinations. To support this change, VTCT has implemented additional procedures and processes to ensure all equality considerations have been addressed. The centre remote invigilation procedure can be found on the VTCT website (centre log-in required). Centres will submit an application to VTCT requesting approval to implement remote invigilation for the external theory examinations. The application will require centres to demonstrate that they have ensured that all learners have access to technology to support the online platforms/systems and that no learner will be disadvantaged due to their socio-economic circumstances or geographical location. Centres will also be required to demonstrate that any adaptations implemented will accommodate all learners and not impact on any access arrangements that a learner may be eligible for.

Performance criteriaThe learner must demonstrate 100% achievement of the Performance Criteria and range as detailed in the qualification specification.

The provider must confirm and agree the specific venue requirements that must be in place to include ensuring a realistic working environment:

• The real work environment must meet the following principles:

- all practical skills observation assessments must be carried out under realistic commercial conditions, meeting the current close contact services Government guidelines

- the range of services, professional products, tools, materials, and equipment must be current and available for use and adhere to current close contact services Government guidelines

- all byelaws, legislation or local authority requirements including risk assessments that have been set down in relation to the type of work that is being carried out must be taken full account of

- all relevant large items of equipment e.g. therapist’s chair, treatment couches including relevant mitigations for close contact services (e.g. visor, guards and/or screen) and PPE must be provided as outlined in current Government guidelines

- all products, tools and equipment must available, be in good working order and legally compliant

• The number of observations and number of clients is not fixed provided the full performance criteria and range are met

• The clients can be from the learner’s workplace, educational or linked household member

• Additional discretionary time can be allowed for an learner to implement additional PPE, screens/guards and social distancing requirements following Government and industry guidelines and FAQ’s

• Where traditional, physical onsite practical skills observations are undertaken by the assessor:

- Start times may be staggered for multiple practical skills observations

- The number of learners, class sizes for completing practical skills observations may be reduced to reflect and meet Government social distancing guidelines

• Practical skills observation assessments can be adapted to meet Government guidelines, limiting close proximity timescales associated with providing treatments or services to increased numbers of ‘clients or customers’, examples to consider:

- evidence collection could be cross-referenced from another unit already achieved to cover a range

- clustering the performance of multiple treatments and services on individual clients or customers to maximise the evidence opportunities for example:

▪ Beauty Therapy: Learners are required to carry out the following for ‘provide hand and nail treatments’: have used all the consultation techniques, have dealt with at least one of the necessary actions, have completed all types of hand and nail treatments, have applied all types of nail, have provided all types of treatment advice. A learner could cluster the types of hand and nail treatments to maximise the observation opportunity on one client by being observed performing hand exfoliator, mask, mitts and dark enamel finish from the range on one hand and the paraffin wax, French enamel finish from the range on the other

• Where reception and retail facilities create an unnecessary risk for the safe distancing of clients, learners/candidates and assessors due to Covid-19 restrictions, simulation is acceptable for practical assessments assessment criteria

The use of artificial mannequins, nail or other trainers is not a permitted simulation for competency qualification assessments.


List Hairdressing and Barbering NVQ qualifications

QN Code Qualification title

601/5885/2 HB1N1 VTCT Level 1 NVQ Certificate in Hairdressing and Barbering

500/7527/5 AH10146 VTCT Level 1 NVQ Certificate in Hairdressing and Barbering

501/0177/8 AM10023 VTCT Level 1 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy

600/3210/8 AH20276 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Award in Cutting Men's Hair

600/3485/3 AH20283 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Award in Shampooing, Conditioning and Treating the Hair and Scalp

600/3491/9 AH20285 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Award in Styling and Finishing Hair

601/5887/6 HB2N1 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Barbering

500/7356/4 AH20149 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Barbering

601/5886/4 HB2N2 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing

500/7357/6 AH20147 VTCT Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing

600/4195/X AH30289 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Award in Creative Hair Extension Services

601/5888/8 HB3N1 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Barbering

500/7386/2 AH30151 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Barbering

601/5889/X HB3N2 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing

500/7389/8 AH30150 VTCT Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing

Adaptations for Hairdressing and Barbering NVQ qualificationsKnowledge and understandingThe learner must demonstrate 100% achievement of the knowledge and understanding as detailed within the qualification specification.

The recommended approach, including the knowledge and understanding statements usually assessed by externally set mandatory testing (closed book) or knowledge assignments, is as follows:

• Where possible knowledge should be inferred from practical observations and evidenced or, where applicable, cross-referenced from another knowledge assessment already achieved under formal assessment conditions

• Where knowledge cannot be inferred, oral questions and answers and professional discussion should be used to generate evidence against the remaining criteria

• Assessment of knowledge, oral questions and answers and professional discussion sessions must be carried out by an assessor who is occupationally competent and in a way that authenticates that the responses are the learners own

• All evidence gathered should be traceable, auditable, and authenticated

Centres will need to apply to VTCT using the following email address for the EQA Customer Queries inbox [email protected]

Remote centre invigilationCentres can apply to VTCT for approval to carry out remote centre invigilation of the external theory examinations. To support this change, VTCT has implemented additional procedures and processes to ensure all equality considerations have been addressed. The centre remote invigilation procedure can be found on the VTCT website (centre log-in required). Centres will submit an application to VTCT requesting approval to implement remote invigilation for the external theory examinations. The application will require centres to demonstrate that they have ensured that all learners have access to technology to support the online platforms/systems and that no learner will be disadvantaged due to their socio-economic circumstances or geographical location. Centres will also be required to demonstrate that any adaptations implemented will accommodate all learners and not impact on any access arrangements that a learner may be eligible for.

Performance criteriaThe learner must demonstrate 100% achievement of the Performance Criteria and range as detailed in the qualification specification.

The provider must confirm and agree the specific venue requirements that must be in place to include ensuring a realistic working environment:

• The real work environment must meet the following principles:

- all practical skills observation assessments must be carried out under realistic commercial conditions, meeting the current Government close contact services guidelines

- the range of services, professional products, tools, materials, and equipment must be current and available for use and adhere to current Government close contact services guidelines


- all byelaws, legislation or local authority requirements including risk assessments that have been set down in relation to the type of work that is being carried out must be taken full account of

- all relevant large items of equipment, e.g. chair including relevant mitigations for close contact services (e.g. visor, guards and/or screen) and PPE must be provided as outlined in current Government guidelines

- all products, tools and equipment must available, be in good working order and legally compliant

- the number of observations and number of clients is not fixed provided the full performance criteria and range are met. For example:

▪ Cut hair using basic techniques (SKACH3), learners/candidates are required to carry out the following cuts: one length – above shoulder, one length – below shoulder, uniform layer, short graduation with scissor over comb, long graduation, with a fringe. If a learner/candidate has been observed carrying out each of these cuts, has been assessed as being competent in each and has covered the remaining range areas, this could be covered in 5 observations

• There is no requirement to work on a set number of “clients”. The clients can be from the learner’s workplace, educational or linked household member

• Additional discretionary time can be allowed for a learner to implement additional PPE, screens/guards and social distancing requirements following current Government and industry guidelines and FAQ’s

• Where traditional, physical onsite practical skills observations are undertaken by the assessor:

- Start times may be staggered for multiple practical skills observations

- The number of learners, class sizes for completing practical skills observations may be reduced to reflect and meet Government social distancing guidelines

• Practical skills observation assessments can be adapted to meet current Government guidelines, limiting close proximity timescales associated with providing treatments or services to increased numbers of ‘clients or customers’, examples to consider:

- evidence collection could be cross referenced from another unit already achieved to cover a range

- clustering the performance of multiple treatments and services on individual ‘clients or customers’ to maximise the evidence opportunities

• Where reception and retail facilities create an unnecessary risk for the safe distancing of clients, learners/candidates and assessors due to Covid-19 restrictions, simulation is acceptable for practical assessment criteria

The use of artificial block head mannequins is not a permitted simulation for competency qualification assessments.

adaptation guidance - vtct

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