SVQ Cleaning and Support Services SCQF level 4
Scottish Vocational Qualification in Cleaning and Support Services at SCQF level 4 has been designed in partnership with the Sector Skills Council Asset Skills.
It covers areas such as reducing health and safety risks, maintaining personal hygiene when cleaning, customer service, working with others or individually, following procedures, and using electrical equipment and safety.
This SVQ is aimed at individuals who are currently in employment in the cleaning industry — for example, in hotels, hospitals, offices or domestic services. Successful candidates will gain an internationally recognised qualification that guarantees they have the skills, knowledge and ability to carry out their role successfully.
This qualification is available through employers and training providers.
This qualification has been withdrawn and will finish on 30/09/2026
Use the tabs below to open each section individually. Alternatively you can show all the sections.
Why deliver this qualification
SVQs are based on National Occupational Standards.
This SVQ 1 in Cleaning and Support Services at SCQF level 4 has been re-accredited and is up to date.
Assessment is normally carried out in the workplace. This minimises any time learners need to be away from their work and allows them to generate evidence based on the actual work they are carrying out.
Candidates can progress to a range of qualifications including the SVQ 2 in Cleaning and Support Services at SCQF level 5.
The SVQ can be offered in any of the following modes:
- full-time
- part-time (eg day-release)
- open and distance learning
Who does this qualification suit
This SVQ is suitable for:
- learners who may have just left school
- individuals who are currently in employment in the cleaning industry and who wish to obtain a formal qualification
- cleaning staff in hotels, hospitals, offices or domestic services
Access
Entry is at the discretion of the centre.
Candidates should be in a job or placement where they are carrying out relevant tasks and responsibilities that allow then to gather the required evidence.
No prior qualifications are required to undertake this qualification, although experience or knowledge of cleaning and support services would be an advantage.
Progression
The SVQ 1 award could provide progression to:
- an SVQ 2 in Cleaning and Support Services at SCQF level 5
Approval
Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.
Centres without devolved authority will have to come forward for approval and should contact SQA's Business Development Team for guidance.
Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Guide to Approval.
How to assess
For general information on how to assess this qualification, please refer to the document Information for Assessment of Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs). For detailed guidance on how to assess this particular SVQ, please refer to the Assessment Strategy.
Where can you take this course?
Qualification content and delivery tools
Information about the qualification(s)
Qualification Structure
Group Award Code: GH4Y 21
The SVQ Cleaning and Support Services at SCQF level 4 consists of two mandatory Units and four optional Units.
For details of the Units making up the SVQ, please refer to the Qualification structure (68 KB).
National Occupational Standards
Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.
Core Skills signposting
Core Skill mappings are carried out by the SSC responsible for the development of an SVQ. It is a requirement of SQA Accreditation that every SVQ submission includes information on where possible opportunities for candidates to develop Core Skills exist across the mandatory units.
Centres should note that mappings are not audited or validated against the Core Skills framework/units so are not accepted by SQA awarding body as evidence towards achievement of the Core Skills units.