The National Youth Agency

The Framework

The Network produces a National Framework of Awards in Non-Formal Education Settings (Awards Framework.) The first edition of the Framework, published in March 2002, was reprinted to meet demand. A second revised edition was produced in 2003 and sold out. Since then, the details of several of the Awards have changed, and other Awards have been added. This has led to the production of a third extended and revised edition in 2005.

The Awards Framework represents the major national Awards that accredit young people's experience and learning in non-formal settings. The document also sets these Awards in context in relation to current initiatives such as the NQF framework and DfES/QCA Key Skills. The Awards Framework focuses on programmes and activities that are accredited. It puts national accredited programmes into a coherent frame, recognising that these are often part of a much wider menu of options available to young people.

Also of interest...

How to get a copy

The National Framework of Awards in Non-Formal Educational Settings represents most of the major national awards that accredit young people's acheivements and learning in informal settings.

The Framework

The Framework publication maps non-formal awards to produce a coherent framework against the National Qualifications Framework;

clarifies the process for deciding which awards are most appropriate in which settings;
outlines the range of non-formal awards for young people, tutors, parents, informal education/youth work practitioners and policy makers.

Among the criteria that Awards in this publication need to meet are that they should:

Be available widely across the country and not just in a few locations;
Be delivered in non-formal education settings;
Be based on a clear, consistent curriculum;
Involve young people in a programme of learning that lasts weeks or months and not just hours or days;
Have an established track-record of delivery, and not be at the early or pilot stages of delivery;
Include clear means of assessing achievements of all the young people who gain the Award;
Be managed by not-for-profit organisations.

Download a copy

National Framework of Awards in Non-Formal Educational Settings - April 2007

The framework is of value to a wide range of audiences - from ministers and other decision-makers in central and local government to young people, parents, employers, teachers, youth workers, personal advisors and others with an interest in the personal and social development of young people.

The National Framework of Awards in Non-formal Settings is available from The NYA. A single copy is free, although there will be a small charge for multiple copies.

To request a hardcopy, contact The NYA on 0116 242 7350.