LNF Cymru Literacy and numeracy for Wales

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Foundation Public Services

Foundation Public Services is a two unit, portfolio assessed Entry Level and Level 1 qualification for learners aged 14 to 16 interested in the police, fire and ambulance services, councils, the Armed Forces and voluntary groups. Literacy carries almost all of the assessment: learners read case studies and news reports about incidents, use public service terms, write short descriptions and explanations with examples, and speak and listen in role plays, interviews and discussions, with the command words rising from recognise and state to describe and explain. Numeracy is light and sits mainly in setting short and longer term targets with timelines in a personal development plan and in designing a simple questionnaire.

Awarding body
WJEC
Level
Entry Level and Level 1
First taught
September 2027
Amount of literacy work
Medium
Amount of numeracy work
Low
Specification
Open the specification
Next step up
VCSE Public Services, Level 1 and Level 2
How this qualification is assessed
  • Unit 1: Introduction to the Public Services Sector: Centre-marked non-examination assessment, portfolio of evidence from teacher-set activities, maximum assessment time 9 hours (typically 7 to 9 hours), 48 guided learning hours, 72 of the 152 qualification points, criteria at Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3 and Level 1, assessed in the centre and moderated by WJEC, available from summer 2028
  • Unit 2: Public Services in Action: Centre-marked non-examination assessment, portfolio of evidence from teacher-set activities, maximum assessment time 15 hours (typically 11 to 15 hours), 72 guided learning hours, 80 of the 152 qualification points, criteria at Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3 and Level 1, assessed in the centre and moderated by WJEC, available from summer 2029

Skills that use Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context

  1. Writing explanations supported by examples

    Assessed: In coursework (non-examination assessment, NEA)

    The assessment criteria move from state and identify to describe and explain using examples, for instance explaining three ways public services work in collaboration or two negative impacts of poor incident management. Suggested Level 1 tasks include a news article for a cadet magazine, a paragraph built from sentence starters and an online news article on incident outcomes.

    Literacy: Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context, Connectives and syntax

    Getting pupils ready

    Year 7
    Pupils complete sentence starters such as 'The police and fire service work together because' to explain one way services help each other.
    Year 8
    Pupils write a paragraph explaining why services must follow instructions at an incident, using a point, an example and the connective 'because'.
    Year 9
    Pupils write a short news article on a real local incident, explaining two positive and one negative impact on the community, each backed by an example.
    Show the specification wording and the LNF statements

    Where it is in the specification: Unit 2, assessment criteria 2.5.1 to 2.6.4, pages 47 to 49; Unit 2, examples of tasks LO2.5 and LO2.6, pages 55 and 56

    “Learners write a news article for a local cadet magazine about the importance of collaborative working”
    Progression step 3

    • I can write a comprehensive account of a topic, theme or viewpoint.

    • I can use paragraphs and make links between them.

    • I can use an increasing range of connectives to organise my ideas in sentences, paragraphs and whole texts.

    Progression step 4

    • I can adapt my writing style, choosing and using the best structures for different contexts and purposes, e.g. to successfully describe, explain, persuade, discuss.

    • I can use summary, discussion of issues, detailed explanations and logic when covering a topic.

  2. Writing information sheets, posters and leaflets for the public

    Assessed: In coursework (non-examination assessment, NEA)

    Many suggested tasks ask learners to produce posters, leaflets, fact cards and information sheets, for example on job roles, career routes or the resources a service needs at an incident. At Level 1 these become information sheets and guides that explain the content clearly for a reader.

    Literacy: Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context

    Getting pupils ready

    Year 7
    Pupils make a fact card about one public service job with a heading, three bullet points on its tasks and a picture.
    Year 8
    Pupils write a leaflet for Year 6 pupils on when to call 999 and when to call 101, using headings and short, clear sentences.
    Year 9
    Pupils write a one page information guide on what Mountain Rescue needs to search for a missing walker, organised into sections for people, equipment and transport.
    Show the specification wording and the LNF statements

    Where it is in the specification: Unit 1, examples of tasks LO1.3, LO1.4 and LO1.5, pages 30 to 33; Unit 2, examples of tasks LO2.3, page 52

    “Learners produce an information sheet explaining how different job roles help and support people and communities”
    Progression step 3

    • I can adapt my writing style and structure to suit the audience, purpose and context, e.g. suitable balance between facts and viewpoints, a precise conclusion.

    • I can use and adapt different structures within my writing, e.g. reporting an event, investigation or experiment.

    Progression step 4

    • I can select and use appropriate strategies to plan and develop my writing for different purposes and audiences.

    • I can organise and construct my writing effectively, connecting and developing my ideas for a range of different contexts.

  3. Writing a skills audit, development plan and application

    Assessed: In coursework (non-examination assessment, NEA)

    In Unit 1, LO1.7, learners review their own strengths and areas for development and create a personal development plan, which at Level 1 is a structured plan they create and present. Suggested tasks include a SWOT analysis and completing a professional standard application form or CV for a public service role.

    Literacy: Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context, Proofreading, editing and improving

    Getting pupils ready

    Year 7
    Pupils complete a simple 'All about me' sheet naming two strengths and one skill they want to improve, with a reason for each.
    Year 8
    Pupils fill in a SWOT grid about themselves and write a short paragraph on which public service job might suit them and why.
    Year 9
    Pupils write a one page CV and a short personal statement for a volunteering or cadet role, then proofread and redraft it after feedback.
    Show the specification wording and the LNF statements

    Where it is in the specification: Unit 1, LO1.7 content, pages 20 and 21; Unit 1, assessment criteria 1.7.1 to 1.7.3, page 27; Unit 1, examples of tasks LO1.7, pages 34 and 35

    “Learners complete a professional standard application form or CV for a public service role”
    Progression step 3

    • I can write about my thoughts, feelings and opinions, showing empathy and respect.

    • I can use and adapt different structures within my writing, e.g. reporting an event, investigation or experiment.

    Progression step 4

    • I can adapt my writing style, choosing and using the best structures for different contexts and purposes, e.g. to successfully describe, explain, persuade, discuss.

    • I can improve writing through independent review and redrafting.

Good to know

Links with other qualifications

The specification names VCSE Public Services as the Level 1/2 progression route. The Foundation shares its reading about public services, use of sector vocabulary, written explanations with examples and communication with different audiences. VCSE Public Services steps the literacy up to researching a local wellbeing issue, writing justified recommendations, a project proposal with aims and objectives and an evaluation, and steps the numeracy up sharply to fitness testing against normative data, measuring improvement from a baseline, BMI and resting heart rate, and analysing survey feedback. The reading, writing and discussion of incidents and community issues also build skills for GCSE English Language and Literature and GCSE Social Studies.

Source: WJEC Entry Level/Level 1 Foundation Public Services specification, approved by Qualifications Wales, teaching from September 2027, for award from 2029 (© WJEC CBAC Ltd 2026).