40 - NVQ Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety

You can use the below checklist to self-assess your suitability for the NVQ Level 6:

• Are you currently employed in a health and safety job role?

• Do you have a professional who can provide a reference for your occupational competency?

• Do you have entry-level IT skills and a good understanding of written and spoken English?

• Are you able to provide or generate documentary evidence, dated within the last two years of your involvement with;

  • Maintaining your own continuous professional development

  • Evaluating health and safety management systems

  • Reviewing and updating policies

  • Communicating health and safety information externally to the organisation

  • Competency management and training

  • Risk assessment and control measure selection

  • Inspection procedures and auditing

  • Incident investigation and reporting

If you have answered yes to all of the above, we encourage you to enrol and will support you in gaining your NVQ Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Practice.

If you have not or are unsure, please speak to a member of our team to discuss the most suitable qualification for you.

Many candidates pursue NVQ Level 6 with the help of employer sponsorship, allowing them to finance their qualification and benefiting the company through increased health and safety expertise. 

Benefits for Learners 

• Attain a bachelor’s degree level qualification in health and safety to demonstrate your industry expertise 

• Achieve a qualification through a practical portfolio, avoiding exams and allowing you to complete your qualification flexibly 

• Develop key skills in implementing and assessing health and safety practices 

Benefits for Employers 

• Improve health and safety in your workplace by providing staff with a high-level qualification, reducing rates of absence due to workplace illness and injury 

• Demonstrate your commitment to health and safety in the workplace to employees and fellow businesses

• Improve employee retention by actively investing into your team member's careers

Customer Approved

We are one of the UK’s leading providers of training in health and safety, with tutors and mentors who are widely respected for their expertise, experience, and ability to create an engaging learning environment. Their efforts are one of the many reasons we’re rated 5/5 stars on Trustpilot. 

Study Support 

We go the extra mile to ensure our course attendees receive the best possible support. Level 6 NVQ candidates can count on support from their NVQ Assessor, providing valuable advice and feedback throughout the duration of the Diploma. Candidates have 24/7 access to a booking link for assessor catch-up calls.

Price Match Guarantee

Not only will we not be beaten in quality at Phoenix, but we won’t be beaten on price either! See our Price Match Guarantee for more details.

The NVQ Level 6 Diploma is completed while working in a full time position, so the exact study time varies, but is usually between 3 to 12 months.

Candidates receive 18 months of support when they book their NVQ, though additional support can be purchased if you require extra time to complete the qualification.
 

The NVQ Level 6 is a work-based assessment program, with no exams and all tutor support conducted remotely through video calls and emails.

All work is submitted electronically either via a bespoke e-portfolio system. This means you can complete the NVQ anywhere in the world so long as you have a suitable position and experience.

Phoenix will allocate a dedicated assessor to candidates for the duration of their qualification, who will conduct an initial assessment and induction, as well as provide support and assess submissions.

There are 9 themes to complete before the NVQ Level 6 Diploma can be awarded; these align with the ten assessment outcomes provided by the awarding body, ProQual. The following assessment methods will be used in the qualification;

• Work Based Evidence: Candidates will compile a portfolio of evidence demonstrating their competence in various health and safety tasks across 9 areas of health and safety management.

• Knowledge Tasks: Written or verbal responses to questions that test the candidates understanding of health and safety principles and legislation.

• Witness Testimony: Candidates must provide a reference from a colleague or supervisor who can attest to their competence and experience in performing health and safety management tasks.

• Professional Discussion: A structured discussion with an assessor to verify the candidate’s knowledge and understanding of health and safety practices. This discussion allows candidates to reflect on the qualification, elaborate on their evidence, discuss their experiences, and demonstrate their proficiency in managing health and safety.

After completing the NVQ Level 6, candidates will have demonstrated they have knowledge and skills to:

• Promote a positive health and safety culture. 

• Develop and implement a health and safety policy. 

• Develop and implement effective communication systems for health and safety information. 

• Develop and maintain individual and organisational competence in health and safety matters. 

• Identify, assess, and control health and safety risks. 

• Develop and implement proactive monitoring systems for health and safety. 

• Develop and implement reactive monitoring systems for health and safety. 

• Develop and implement health and safety emergency response systems and procedures. 

• Develop and implement health and safety review systems. 

• Maintain knowledge of improvements to influence health and safety practice.

Assessment and portfolio  

An NVQ is not a pass or fail qualification. Instead, the candidate collaborates closely with their assessor to create a portfolio of evidence that meets the assessment criteria for the qualification.

Candidates will receive login details for an e‑portfolio, which includes a structured evidence list showing the types of documentation that is required.

Each piece of evidence submitted will be reviewed by the assessor, who will provide clear and constructive feedback. If any part of the assessment criteria has not been fully met, candidates are free to resubmit updated evidence, there is no limit to the number of resubmissions allowed.

When all criteria have been successfully achieved and the assessor is confident the portfolio meets the required standard, the completed work will be sent for quality assurance. We will only submit portfolios that we believe meet the standard for certification.

The NVQ Level 6 Diploma is an advanced qualification and can act as a stepping-stone into further postgraduate study, including masters-level degrees. 

• Are there any entry requirements for NVQ Level 6?

To enrol in the NVQ, you must be employed in a health and safety role. You will need to provide evidence of your health and safety management experience in this position, the NVQ is an assessment programme, not a taught course, so previous knowledge and experience is essential. Please refer to "Am I Suitable for the NVQ Level 6" to self assess your eligibility for this qualification.

• How long does it take to complete the NVQ Level 6?

On average, it takes delegates between 12 and 18 months to complete the NVQ Level 6. However, some candidates manage to complete within a year, while others take longer than 18 months. Additional support can be purchased should you require more time to complete your qualification.

• Are there any NVQ Level 6 equivalents?

If you prefer a more academic approach to achieving a degree-level Health and Safety qualification, the NEBOSH National Diploma is the best alternative to NVQ Level 6.

• What's the difference between Level 5 & Level 6 NVQ?

The NVQ Level 5, which we no longer offer, is the equivalent of a foundation degree. The NVQ Level 6 is a higher qualification, equivalent to a full bachelor’s degree and the NEBOSH National Diploma. Due to its slightly more stringent requirements, many international employers prefer NVQ Level 6.

• When will I get my NVQ results?

As you make your submissions, your assessor will review each one and advise whether it has been added to your e‑portfolio or requires further amendments. Once all submissions meet the assessment criteria and your portfolio is complete, it will be sent for quality assurance. After the quality assurance process has been successfully completed, you will be notified of your overall completion.

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