OCR Nationals

Public Services

The OCR Level 3 Nationals in Public Services have been developed to recognise learners' skills, knowledge and understanding of the public services sector and the settings, job roles, principles and values involved.

The learners carry out a range of tasks that have been designed to recognise their achievements in a modern, practical way that is relevant to the workplace.

They do not certificate competence on the job but are work-related qualifications which will support progression to an NVQ once a learner is in the work place.

Specification aims

These qualifications specifically aim to:

• Develop learner's knowledge and understanding of Public Services and the chosen specialist route if selected.
• Develop learner's skills, knowledge and understanding in contexts that are directly relevant to employment situations, thereby enhancing their employability within public services.
• Develop learner's ability to work autonomously and effectively in a public services context
• Enable learners to develop knowledge and understanding in specialist areas of emergency services, armed forces and police, and law enforcement.
• Encourage progression by assisting in the development of skills, knowledge and understanding which learners will need to access further or high education programmes or occupational training on a full-time or part-time basis.
• Encourage progression by assisting in the development of skills, knowledge and understanding which learners will need to enter employment, or enhance their current employment status.
• Promote interaction between employers, centres and learners by relating teaching and assessment to real settings.

List of Unit Titles

Mandatory units

• Unit 1 Investigating public services
• Unit 2 Current affairs for public services
• Unit 3 Leadership and teamwork working in public services
• Unit 4 Health, safety and fitness awareness for public services

Optional units

Non-specialist units

• Unit 5 Dealing with human behaviour for public services
• Unit 6 Working with the community in public services
• Unit 7 Impact of UK government on the public services
• Unit 8 How public services contribute to international operations
• Unit 9 Impact of technology on public service operations
• Unit 10 The impact of social issues on public services
• Unit 11 Career planning in public services
• Unit 12 Developing skills through work experience in public services

Emergency and Rescue Services specialist pathway

• Unit 13 The role of emergency and rescue services in major disaster planning and response
• Unit 14 Fire and rescue service operations
• Unit 15 Physical fitness for public services
• Unit 16 Developing research skills for public services

Armed Forces specialist pathway

• Unit 17 Developing expedition skills for public services
• Unit 18 Role of outdoor activities in the public services
• Unit 19 Nautical studies
• Unit 20 Armed forces operations

Police and Law Enforcement specialist pathway

• Unit 21 The impact of crime on the community and public services
• Unit 22 Care and rehabilitation of offenders
• Unit 23 How the public services contribute to court cases
• Unit 24 Police operations