Skills for Life: Democracy In Action
Democracy in action is a 20 hour Skills for Life unit about who makes decisions locally and nationally in Wales, how people can have their say, and how to research, debate and decide on a political or local issue. It is one unit that learners combine with others into a Skills for Life or Skills for Work Award, Certificate or Diploma, from Entry 1 to Level 2. Digital demand is low: no criterion requires technology. Digital work sits in researching an issue from official, news and social media sources, then judging how credible they are, knowing online ways to have a say, and optional digital presentations or survey data.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Entry Level 1 to Level 2
- Guided learning hours
- 20
- First taught
- September 2027
- Amount of digital work
- Low
How this unit is assessed
- Entry Level (Entry 1, Entry 2, Entry 3): Three learning outcomes (decision makers who represent others, ways people share their views, taking part in a group discussion or debate) with 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.
- Level 1 and Level 2: Four learning outcomes (what democracy means, how people participate, researching, presenting and discussing viewpoints on an issue, making an informed decision) with assessment criteria at Level 1 and Level 2. Evidence goes in a portfolio, internally assessed by the centre and externally quality assured by WJEC. 20 guided learning hours.
Skills that use Communication
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Knowing online ways to have a say safely
The amplification lists online platforms, social media, petitions and contacting representatives as ways to share views and participate, at Entry Level and at Level 1 and Level 2. Learners must give or explain ways people participate, but using online tools is only taught, and the pack notes planned limits on social media for under 16s.
DCF: Communication, Online behaviour and online bullying
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils sort cards showing ways to have a say, such as an online petition, an email to a councillor and a school council vote, into online and offline groups.
- Year 8
- Pupils draft a polite email to their local councillor about a park issue and discuss when an email works better than a social media post.
- Year 9
- Pupils review a real online petition on the Senedd petitions site and discuss what a responsible comment would look like and what it adds to their digital footprint.
Show the specification wording and the DCF statements
Where it is in the specification: Amplification of learning outcomes 1 and 2, pages 7 and 8; Entry Level and Level 1 and Level 2, learning outcome 2, pages 5 and 6
“petitions, social media, contacting an MS/Local Councillor as well as an MP”
Progression step 3
I can show an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of communication and when it is appropriate to use each, e.g. explain when video conferencing may be more appropriate than e-mail, and vice versa; explain the pros and cons of using instant messaging in social contexts; talk about purpose and audience.
I can demonstrate appropriate online behaviour and apply a range of strategies to protect myself and others from possible online dangers, bullying and inappropriate behaviour, e.g. turn off comments on digital media, reporting, block users.
Progression step 4
I can act appropriately online, keeping myself safe and behaving in a responsible manner.
I can understand the implications of online actions, including my digital footprint and the legal implications of sharing inappropriate material.
Good to know
- Unit codes run from Entry 1 to Level 2: "S605E1" to "S605L2", and the unit is 20 guided learning hours (Unit overview, page 3).
- No special equipment is needed: "Assessment of this unit should not require any specific resources" (Resources required for assessment, page 12), and delivery uses "standard classroom environments" (page 11).
- Evidence can be digital or recorded. The pack lists "Audio or video recordings" of debates, role plays or interviews, and "Presentation slides or digital stories" (Sources of evidence, page 10), and a portfolio "is not limited to paper-based materials" (Specification section 4.1, page 18).
- Suggested activities and assessment tasks are optional: the specification says "These tasks are not mandatory" (section 4.1, page 18), and extended writing "is not required unless appropriate" (Sources of evidence, page 10).
- AI tools must be acknowledged. Using AI "to complete parts of the assessment so that the work does not reflect the learner's own work" is listed as misuse (Specification section 4.6, page 21).
- Social media appears as a way to have a say, but the pack warns that the UK Government "has announced plans to restrict social media use by children under 16" (Contents, page 2), so plan online participation activities with care.
Links with other qualifications
The pack names links with GCSE Social Studies and GCSE History, and the work on Senedd and council decisions, rights and civic participation also sits close to the Social Studies and History units of Foundation Humanities. The debate and argument work overlaps with spoken language and persuasive writing in GCSE English Language and Literature. Within the Skills Suite the pack suggests delivering it alongside Community participation, Equality, diversity, and inclusion, Ethical choices, Everyday law, Values for life, Fairness and inclusion in the workplace, Rights and responsibilities in the workplace, Exploring career pathways and Working in Wales.
Source: WJEC Democracy in action 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).