Skills for Life: Ethical Choices
Ethical choices is one 20 hour Skills for Life unit, written at Entry 1 to Level 2, that learners combine with other units into a Skills for Life, or Skills for Life and Work, Award, Certificate or Diploma. Learners recognise ethical dilemmas, weigh up values, viewpoints and consequences, and make and justify a decision in everyday and work scenarios. Literacy sits in reading and describing dilemmas, comparing viewpoints, explaining consequences and justifying a choice in speech or writing, with discussion and debate throughout. There is no numeracy in the criteria or the guidance, so numeracy demand is low.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Entry Level 1 to Level 2
- Guided learning hours
- 20
- First taught
- September 2027
- Amount of literacy work
- Medium
- Amount of numeracy work
- Low
How this unit is assessed
- Entry Level (Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3): Four learning outcomes, each with two assessment criteria at Entry 1, Entry 2 and Entry 3. Evidence goes in a portfolio, internally assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by WJEC. 20 guided learning hours, unit codes S608E1, S608E2 and S608E3.
- Level 1 and Level 2: Four learning outcomes, each with two assessment criteria at Level 1 and at Level 2. Evidence goes in a portfolio, internally assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by WJEC. 20 guided learning hours, unit codes S608L1 and S608L2.
Skills that use Connectives and syntax
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Explaining consequences and who is affected
At Entry Level learners point out or state consequences and whether they help or harm, at Level 1 they describe consequences of at least two actions and explain who may be affected, and at Level 2 they assess short-term and long-term consequences and evaluate their impact on different people. This is required by the assessment criteria for learning outcome 3.
Literacy: Connectives and syntax, Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils finish the sentence starters "If I keep it, then" and "If I hand it in, then" for a scenario about finding a lost phone.
- Year 8
- Pupils write a paragraph on two choices in a gossip scenario, using connectives such as because, so and as a result to explain who is affected.
- Year 9
- Pupils write a structured answer on a dilemma about staying silent over bullying, separating short and long term consequences for the victim, the bystander and the school.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Entry Level, learning outcome 3, assessment criteria 3.1 and 3.2, page 5; Level 1 and Level 2, learning outcome 3, assessment criteria 3.1 and 3.2, page 6
“Assess the short-term and long-term consequences”
Progression step 3
I can use an increasing range of connectives to organise my ideas in sentences, paragraphs and whole texts.
I can use and adapt different structures within my writing, e.g. reporting an event, investigation or experiment.
Progression step 4
I can use summary, discussion of issues, detailed explanations and logic when covering a topic.
I can use a range of connectives specifically when organising my ideas in whole texts for different purposes.
Good to know
- The unit codes are S608E1, S608E2, S608E3, S608L1 and S608L2, and the unit is 20 guided learning hours (Unit overview, page 3). Learners can complete it at several levels, but "only the highest level of the unit achieved will count towards the GLH" (Specification Section 2.2, page 10).
- Spelling is not marked: "Assessor judgements should focus on meeting the standard, not spelling or presentation unless specifically assessed." and "extended written work is not required unless appropriate" (Sources of evidence, page 10).
- Evidence can be spoken or recorded, for example "tutor observation records of learner participation in discussions, role-plays, or practical tasks" and "completed scenario-based assessments (written or verbal)" (page 10). The portfolio "is not limited to paper-based materials" (Specification Section 4.1, page 18).
- A plural in a criterion means at least two: "If not specified, then a plural reference within assessment criterion refers to a minimum of two." (pages 5 and 6).
- Suggested assessment tasks "are not mandatory". Teachers "may choose to use these suggestions, adapt them, or develop their own alternatives" (Specification Section 4.1, page 18).
- AI use must be acknowledged. "When properly referenced, this can be acceptable", but misuse includes "Copying or paraphrasing whole responses of AI-generated content." (Specification Section 4.6, page 21), and learners sign a declaration that their work is their own (Section 4.2, page 19).
- No resources are needed for assessment: "Assessment of this unit should not require any specific resources." (page 12). Appendix A maps the unit to Literacy but not Numeracy (Specification Appendix A, page 28).
Links with other qualifications
The pack names GCSE Religious Studies as a related WJEC qualification (page 7), where learners explain and evaluate religious and non-religious views on ethical issues in extended writing. GCSE Business covers ethical issues and the impact of unethical decisions, VCSE Public Services covers making responsible and ethical decisions, and Foundation Humanities covers how different views shape moral and ethical thinking. Comparing viewpoints and justifying a decision also link with discussion and persuasive writing in GCSE English Language and Literature. Within the Skills Suite the pack pairs this unit with Community participation, Democracy in action, Equality, diversity and inclusion, Everyday law, Faith and belief in the community, Healthy relationships, Teamwork, Understanding self and others, Values for life and Fairness and inclusion in the workplace.
Source: WJEC Ethical choices unit delivery and assessment pack, read with the WJEC Entry 1 to Level 2 Skills for Life and Skills for Work specification, approved by Qualifications Wales, teaching from September 2027 (© WJEC CBAC Ltd 2026).