NAAS assessment day
What to expect on the day of the assessment and details of the assessment components, including the knowledge assessment and simulated practice assessment.
Applies to England
On the day of the assessment
Arrival time
You must arrive at the assessment centre at least 15 minutes before your start time. You may not be able to take the assessment if you arrive late.
Reasonable adjustments
You must request any reasonable adjustments when you book the assessment on the online platform.
If you have a medical condition or disability that may affect your performance in the NAAS assessment, you may be entitled to reasonable adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
Confirmation of arrangements will have been sent to you before the assessment day.
Documents you must provide
A facilitator will ask to see your identification documents when you arrive.
You must provide:
- a form of photo ID
- confirmation of your Social Work England number, formally health and care professions council (HCPC)
- consent to being filmed as part of the simulated practice assessment
You will not be allowed to do the assessment if you do not provide this documentation.
Filming of the assessment is mandatory, but you can opt out of footage being used for training
Electronic devices
For security reasons, you cannot take any electronic devices into the assessment, including:
- mobile phones
- tablets
- laptops
- smart watches
You will be asked to turn off your devices and hand them in for safekeeping. Your devices will be held securely and returned to you after the assessment.
You may be asked to leave the assessment for:
- suspected cheating
- disrupting another candidate’s assessment
- other concerning behaviour, even if it’s not disrupting other candidates
Breaks
You’ll get regular breaks throughout the assessment. We aim to provide a longer break before you take your written assessment.
Food and drink will be provided free of charge on site. You can provide details of any dietary requirements you have when you book your assessment on the online platform.
Assessment components
The facilitator will provide full instructions about each of the parts of the assessment. You will be briefed on:
- how to use the computer to answer knowledge questions based on the KSS
- available practice time on the computer
- reviewing your answers before you submit them
There are different assessments for practitioners and practice supervisors. All NAAS assessments have been created and reviewed by social workers. Each assessment is made up of a:
- knowledge assessment
- simulated practice assessment
Knowledge assessment
A facilitator will take you through into the computer room where you will complete your knowledge assessment on the online platform. You will have 1 hour 30 minutes to complete 60 multiple choice questions.
Break
Following the knowledge assessment, you will have a short break. Simple refreshments will be available.
Simulated practice scenario 1
You will be taken to your simulated practice room. A discrete, but visible, camera for moderation, appeals and complaints processes will film the scenarios.
You will receive the first simulated practice scenario briefing and be given 10 minutes to prepare.
After the 10 minutes preparation time is over, the assessor will turn on the camera and record a short introduction stating your Social Work England registration number, the date and venue. An actor will then join you in the room and the scenario will begin. The scenario will last 15 minutes. The assessor will notify you when you are approaching the last 5 minutes of the scenario.
Reflective assessment
Following the first simulated practice scenario, you will stay in the room and will be given the reflective assessment briefing. You will have 15 minutes to prepare. You will also retain the briefing materials and any notes made during the first scenario to refer back to during this part of the assessment.
After the preparation time, the assessor will turn on the camera and record a short introduction stating your Social Work England number, the date and venue.
When the assessment starts, you will be asked to reflect on 2 main questions asked by the assessor. They may direct you to the prompts in the reading materials but will not enter into a dialogue with you. You will have 15 minutes to complete the reflective assessment.
Break
Following the reflective assessment, you will have a short comfort break. You will be able to leave the simulated practice room. Simple refreshments will be available.
Simulated practice scenario 2
You will return to the simulated practice assessment room and repeat the process for the first simulated practice.
Written assessment
When your second simulated practice scenario ends, you will be taken to the computer room to carry out the written assessment. This part of the assessment will be based on the second simulated practice scenario and will take 30 minutes to complete. The briefing materials from the scenario and any notes you made will be available for you to refer to.
At the end of your assessment
Your NAAS assessment will have finished once you have completed your written assessment. The facilitator will gather in your notes and briefing paper to be securely destroyed and you will be taken back to the breakout area to collect any personal belongings.
You will be asked to provide feedback in an optional evaluation form and you will have an opportunity to discuss any immediate concerns or final questions with a facilitator before leaving the centre.
Last updated 22 June 2021 + show all updates
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Updated to reflect changes to the NAAS assessment process.
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First published.