NOS are UK standards of performance people are expected to achieve in their work. Search the NOS standards needed for a job role.
The NOS are UK-wide standards that describe the knowledge, skills and understanding required to work in the social care and early years and childcare sectors to a nationally recognised level of practice.
The NOS are broken down into suites, with work areas and standards that give examples of how the standard can be used for that role.
Why are the NOS important?
Each NOS contains performance criteria and knowledge required for good practice.
NOS can be used as a basis for a wide range of activities, including qualifications, quality standards and benchmarking, learning and development, recruitment, and performance management.
This series of NOS was updated in January 2026 following a UK-wide review. There are 151 NOS.
Browse the NOS
These NOS are hosted by Skills for Care and Development. Visit the website to browse and download the NOS, view the NOS glossary and access resources to support the NOS.
View the NOS by category
You can also view the NOS by category, below.