What are the National Occupational Standards in Health and Social Care?

National Occupational Standards (NOS) set the benchmarks for the skills, knowledge, and abilities health and social care workers need to perform their roles to a recognised standard across the United Kingdom. These standards outline what someone should be able to do and what they need to know to carry out their job competently and safely. The purpose is to bring consistency, fairness, and clarity, supporting workers, employers, and service users alike.

NOS are developed by organisations such as Skills for Care and Skills for Health. Government departments and sector skills councils work together to maintain and review these standards. Each set of standards relates directly to specific job functions or roles, covering everything from personal care to leadership at senior levels.

What is The Structure of National Occupational Standards?

Each standard describes outcomes that an individual must achieve. These are known as ‘performance criteria’. They detail what successful performance looks like in practice. Alongside this, the standards specify what knowledge and understanding workers need. This is more than a list of everyday tasks. It identifies the values and behaviours that workers should display and helps guide best practice across the sector.

A typical NOS covers:

• Title and description of the area or skill
• Performance criteria (what you should do and achieve)
• Knowledge and understanding (what you should know and understand)
• Links to related standards
• Information about the context or setting

In health and social care, these can apply to direct care, administration, leadership, safeguarding, communication, safeguarding, and many others.

What is the Purpose and Use of National Occupational Standards?

NOS support many activities in the workplace. They help people know what is expected of them. Employers use the standards for recruitment, job descriptions, and performance reviews. Training providers base qualifications and learning materials on these standards. This means if you are working or studying in the field, NOS shape what you do and what you learn.

Key reasons for NOS:

• Setting clear expectations for staff at every level
• Allowing consistent measurement of skills and performance
• Supporting induction, supervision, and appraisal
• Guiding professional development and career progression
• Supporting the development and review of qualifications

NOS are often used to develop apprenticeship frameworks and vocational qualifications, including diplomas. Many regulatory requirements refer to, or are based on, these standards.

Who Develops and Maintains NOS?

Skills councils, such as Skills for Care and Skills for Health, lead the process for health and social care NOS in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. These bodies work closely with employers, professional bodies, regulators, and people who use services. Their involvement ensures that standards meet the workforce’s real needs and the expectations of service users and families.

Feedback and evidence from the sector help keep NOS up to date with new legislation, changing practices, and technology. Updates happen regularly to make sure standards stay current and meaningful.

How National Occupational Standards Apply in Practice

In the workplace, NOS act as a guide and a reference. Every aspect of care, from infection control to person-centred planning, has its own relevant standards. Staff are expected to apply these in their day-to-day roles.

Examples of NOS in health and social care include:

• Supporting individuals to meet personal care needs
• Promoting choice and independence
• Communicating effectively with people and their families
• Maintaining health and safety at work
• Safeguarding at-risk adults or children

NOS are used:

• During induction and training for new starters
• While supporting ongoing staff development
• In assessing performance for promotions or pay reviews

Line managers often check that staff are meeting these standards by observing practice and discussing standards during supervision sessions. Staff have clear targets, and users of services can expect consistent levels of service.

Link Between NOS and Regulation

Regulatory bodies look to NOS when developing the codes of practice and standards that workers must meet. The Care Quality Commission, Scottish Social Services Council, and other regulators reference NOS when setting registration requirements.

Workers who want to register with a regulatory body often need to demonstrate, through qualifications or experience, that they are competent against NOS. Employers are also monitored for how well they support staff to meet these standards.

How NOS Support Learners and Qualification Development

NOS underpin many qualifications in the sector. Awarding organisations map their units and qualifications to specific standards, helping assure quality and relevance. This benefits learners, who gain skills directly linked to recognised job roles and functions.

For those undertaking apprenticeships, diplomas, or other vocational awards, NOS inform:

• The design of course content
• Assessment criteria for students
• The portfolio of evidence that learners must produce

This direct link between work-based learning and real-world standards streamlines the transition from study to practice. Learners know what is expected and develop the skills that employers value.

NOS Use for Employers

For employers across the NHS, Local Authorities, and private or voluntary sector organisations, NOS offer a set of common expectations. Employers use them to:

• Describe what good performance looks like
• Develop clear job descriptions
• Write adverts and interview questions
• Monitor and improve staff performance
• Identify training needs

By basing recruitment and development around NOS, employers support safer, higher-quality services. Staff feel more confident and capable, and service users benefit from better care and support.

Supporting Person-Centred, High Quality Care

Quality care and support are at the heart of NOS. The standards focus not just on technical competence, but on the attitudes and values that matter to service users and their families.

Some key features reflecting this focus:

• Standards often require workers to respect dignity, promote choice, and protect human rights.
• NOS cover effective communication with people with different needs and backgrounds.
• Many standards deal with involving people in their own care, including developing care or support plans together.

By meeting the expected standards, workers contribute to a culture of respect, safety, and empowerment for those using services.

Using NOS for Personal Development and Career Progression

Individuals can use NOS to plan their careers and learning. If you know where you want to progress, NOS can help you identify what skills or knowledge you still need. This allows you to discuss development opportunities with your employer or look for training to fill gaps.

Ways to use NOS for personal growth:

• Reflecting on your own performance against the standards
• Seeking feedback from a supervisor using the standards as a framework
• Identifying areas for training or development
• Preparing for promotions or new roles

NOS give workers a clear picture of what is required for progression in the sector.

Benefits for Those Using Services

People receiving health and social care services benefit from NOS in several ways. Whether receiving care in their home, in a residential setting, or in hospital, they can expect services that are safe, respectful, and consistent. NOS give the sector a shared understanding of what good care looks like, supporting better experiences for those who depend on these services.

Service users:

• Can expect care staff to have the right skills and knowledge
• Benefit from clearer communication and more person-centred care
• Have confidence that staff meet a recognised standard

Examples of Specific National Occupational Standards

Here are a few examples to illustrate what individual NOS look like:

• SCDHSC0023 Support the Safeguarding of Individuals: Outlines how to report concerns of abuse, follow protocols, and support the person’s wellbeing.
• CHS6 Move and Position Individuals: Sets out correct techniques for moving, handling, and positioning people to reduce the risk of harm.
• SCDHSC0035 Promote the Safeguarding of Children and Young People: Details specific expertise needed to protect children, work with other agencies, and maintain records.
• GEN63 Act Within the Limits of Your Competence and Authority: Emphasises recognising your professional limits and seeking support when required.

Each of these standards describes what good practice looks like and what workers should know.

How National Occupational Standards Shape the Sector

NOS do not only focus on frontline tasks but cover strategic and operational aspects of health and social care. Managers, supervisors, and senior leaders have their own dedicated standards. These relate to managing teams, overseeing quality, managing resources, or responding to inspection findings.

Health and social care providers need to show that they meet relevant NOS in their policies and everyday work. Inspectors may look for evidence that staff are supported, trained, and appraised against clear standards. This focus on outcomes and quality benefits everyone involved in the sector.

Final Thoughts

National Occupational Standards form the backbone of skills and knowledge for health and social care roles across the UK. They set out what good care and support look like, support safe and consistent practice, and are used in qualifications, job roles, and professional development. The involvement of employers, workers, and service users helps keep these standards practical and relevant, supporting everyone in the sector to deliver safe, respectful, and high-quality care.