OCR Level 3 National Certificate in Public Services
Qualification summary
The OCR Level 3 Nationals in Public Services have been developed to recognise candidates' skills, knowledge and understanding of the public services sector and the settings, job roles, principles and values involved. They have been designed to accredit candidates' achievements in a modern and practical way that is relevant to the workplace. They are work-related qualifications which will support progression to an NVQ once a candidate is in the workplace.
These qualifications specifically aim to:
- develop candidates' knowledge and understanding of the public services and the chosen specialist pathway if selected
- develop candidates' knowledge, understanding and skills in contexts that are directly relevant to employment situations, thereby enhancing their employability within public services
- develop candidates' ability to work autonomously and effectively in a public services context
- enable candidates to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in specialist areas of emergency services, armed forces and police, and law enforcement
- encourage progression by assisting in the development of knowledge, understanding and skills that candidates will need to access further or higher education prorammes or occupational training on a part- or full-time basis
- encourage progression by assisting in the development of knowledge, understanding and skills that candidates will need to enter employment or enhance their current employment status
- promote interaction between employers, centres and candidates by relating teaching and assessment to real settings.
Qualification details
VRQ - Vocationally-Related Qualification
Accreditation start date:
Operational start date in centres:
For information on the approval of qualifications for funding in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, see the links to DCSF, DIUS, DCELLS, DELNI and DENI below.
When undertaking a qualification that does not appear on the governments' lists as eligible for funding for specific age ranges, users must be aware of legal requirements. Not all qualifications are suitable for all age ranges.
For further information on 14-19 qualifications offered in England, please refer to the DCSF
Section 96 website.
For further information on 19+ qualifications offered in England, please refer to the DIUS
Section 97 website.
For further information on Wales, visit the
DCELLS website.
For further information on Northern Ireland, visit the
DELNI and
DENI websites.
A candidate achieving an OCR Level 3 National in Public Services has the following progression routes available:
- enter employment as a recruit at an operative level, e.g. police constable, army officer recruit
- enter employment and undertake a related NVQ at a level appropriate to the job role, e.g. police constable
- enter employment and undertake other related occupational qualifications
- undertake additional Level 3 qualifications part- or full-time in further education, e.g. OCR Level 3 Certificate/Diploma/Extended Diploma, GCE A level
- undertake higher level qualifications part- or full-time in further or higher education, e.g. HNC, HND, degree.
Army Soldier
Emergency Services Control Room Staff
Firefighter/Officer
Police Officer
Royal Air Force (RAF) Airman/Woman
Royal Navy/Marines Rating
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01 Health, Public Services and Care
The qualification will be entirely centre-assessed and OCR moderated. The OCR Level 3 Nationals in Health, Social Care and Early Years allow for holistic assessment, although it is not a requirement. The assessment methodology for the OCR Nationals was approved by the regulatory authorities as a suitable alternative to independent assessment, with external moderation offering the required quality control.
Candidates must complete four mandatory units (Group A) and two optional units (Group B) to achieve a full qualification.
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A -
Mandatory units
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F/102/5264 - Investigating public services
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J/102/5265 - Current affairs for public services
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L/102/5266 - Leadership and team working in public services
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R/102/5267 - Health, safety and fitness awareness for public services
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B -
Optional units
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C -
Non-specialist units
Non-specialist optional units
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Y/102/5268 - Dealing with human behaviour for public services
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D/102/5269 - Working with the community in public services
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R/102/5270 - Impact of UK government on the public services
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Y/102/5271 - How public services contribute to international operations
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D/102/5272 - Impact of technology on public services operations
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H/102/5273 - The impact of social issues on public services
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K/102/5274 - Career planning in public services
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M/102/5275 - Developing skills through work experience in public services
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D -
Emergency services specialist pathway
Optional units for the specialist pathway for emergency services.
This group represents a pathway.
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T/102/5276 - The role of emergency and rescue services in major disaster planning and response
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A/102/5277 - Fire and rescue service operations
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F/102/5278 - Physical fitness for public services
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J/102/5279 - Developing research skills for public services
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E -
Armed Forces specialist pathway
Optional units for the specialist pathway for armed forces.
This group represents a pathway.
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F -
Police and law enforcement specialist pathway
Optional units for the specialist pathway for police and law enforcement.
This group represents a pathway.
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R/102/5284 - The impact of crime on the community and public services
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Y/102/5285 - Care and rehabilitation of offenders
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D/102/5286 - How the public services contribute to court cases
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H/102/5287 - Police operations