SCIE's networks and partners - European Care Certificate
What is the European Care Certificate (ECC)?
The ECC provides employers with evidence that the holder of the Certificate has a basic knowledge of care sector work as listed in the BESCLO. The ECC is supported by the ECC Board, a transnational group of agencies using and promoting the ECC. To get the ECC Certificate people must pass a multiple choice exam. The ECC covers the knowledge needed for workers starting out in the care sector and can be delivered through work-based training, as a single short course or as part of a wider/longer course.
The ECC:
- Is not a passport to a job
- Does not demonstrate someone’s competence
- Only covers basic knowledge
- Does not replace local training or qualifications
To get the ECC
- Learners do not need to have previous experience in the social care sector
- Learners do not need to be in employment
- Learners do need to have a basic level of literacy (reading and writing) in the language of the country where the test is being held
- Learners must be at least 16 years old.
Why is the European Care Certificate Needed?
In many parts of Europe there are shortages of workers to look after people in their own homes and in residential care. This has led to workers moving from their own countries to take up social care jobs in countries where they can expect to earn higher wages.
Employers may not always be aware of the value of qualifications held by applicants from abroad, but they need to be sure that they are employing staff who have a basic understanding of social care. The ECC provides the reassurance that holders of the certificate have gained the knowledge that is essential to those starting a career in the care sector.
The ECC is not yet recognised by all European Union countries, but it is hoped that this will change in the future as it becomes more established.
Basic European Social Care Learning Outcomes (BESCLO)
These are the eight essential areas of knowledge in social care. They are:
- Values of social care
- Promoting life quality for the individuals you support
- Working with risk
- Understanding your role as a care worker
- Safety at work
- Communicating positively
- Recognise and respond to abuse and neglect
- Develop as a care worker
Secretariat
Lead Partners
- Austria - Direktorenverein Österreichischer Sozialberufsbildung
- Germany - Association of Care Educators in Europe
- Portugal - Centro de Educação para o Cidadão Deficiente
- Romania - Funda tia Alpha Transilvanã
- United Kingdom - Association for Real Change
Policy Partner
- United Kingdom - Social Care Institute for Excellence