Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services Children and Young People @ SCQF Level 6
Introduction
This is course if you are keen in pursuing a career in working with children and young people. It is an ideal programme for S5 or S6 pupils interested in this sector and is studied as one of your school subjects.
Early year’s provision has changed a lot over the years. Early learning and childcare experiences are now widely recognised as playing a key role in future life chances and achievement for children.
This course will help you gain the knowledge and understanding you will need to work successfully in early learning and childcare. It will also develop your knowledge, practical skills and qualities for working with children and young people.
You’ll spend part of your week at college and part of your week out on work experience. Don’t worry about getting to and from college/employer – all your transport will be organised and paid for.
The programme provides an advantage to those undertaking it by either demonstrating to employers that they have the skill set they require or by supporting opportunities to progress further at college or university.
Early year’s provision has changed a lot over the years. Early learning and childcare experiences are now widely recognised as playing a key role in future life chances and achievement for children.
This course will help you gain the knowledge and understanding you will need to work successfully in early learning and childcare. It will also develop your knowledge, practical skills and qualities for working with children and young people.
You’ll spend part of your week at college and part of your week out on work experience. Don’t worry about getting to and from college/employer – all your transport will be organised and paid for.
The programme provides an advantage to those undertaking it by either demonstrating to employers that they have the skill set they require or by supporting opportunities to progress further at college or university.
Course code
SFSS
Location:
Dumfries
Duration
You will attend college initially for two half days per week. This may be a blend of both online and face to face classes. Once your work experience begins you will spend one half day in college and one-half day per week at your work placement. You will also require a minimum of 2 hrs per week to commit to studying and writing your reflective tasks/assessment tasks, there may be opportunity to extend your work experience to one day (which can be split across two half days)
Entry Requirements
For a place on this course, you’ll need:
Skills
Working in social services setting means you also need to be able to:
https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Careers-in-care/news-events/A-Question-of-Care-has-been-updated....aspx
Your timetable needs enough free slots to enable you to attend college 100% and attend your work placement 100%.
- Five relevant National 5s or equivalent, including English, OR 4 relevant National 5s, including English, and one successfully completed college academy course at SCQF level 5.
- To have demonstrated achievement at SCQF Level 6 (Higher level).
- Eligibility for the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme record
- To be able to complete all the necessary hours in a work placement and attend your college lessons
- To include a detailed and well written, accurate supporting information. Be sure to outline any relevant early learning and childcare work experience, also demonstrating your commitment and enthusiasm for working in the sector.
- Successful performance at an interview
Skills
Working in social services setting means you also need to be able to:
- Interact and communicate respectfully with children and staff
- Work with others
- Problem-solve.
- Values
https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Careers-in-care/news-events/A-Question-of-Care-has-been-updated....aspx
Your timetable needs enough free slots to enable you to attend college 100% and attend your work placement 100%.
Information and Interview Session Requirements
Once we have received your application you may be asked to attend an information and interview session. This may be face to face, or online either through TEAMS or by phone.
This is a key aspect of the application process. You must confirm your attendance should you be offered an appointment.
During the information and interview session, we will ensure the entry requirements and your aspirations and career plan are appropriate for the course and the level of course you have applied for. It is therefore important that you prepare well for this.
This is a key aspect of the application process. You must confirm your attendance should you be offered an appointment.
During the information and interview session, we will ensure the entry requirements and your aspirations and career plan are appropriate for the course and the level of course you have applied for. It is therefore important that you prepare well for this.
Course Content
This course lets you find out what a career in social services working with children and young people would really be like - and if it’s right for you.
It includes:
Here’s a bit more on what’s involved:
NPA
The NPA will give you the knowledge you need for the SVQ, along with the practical skills required for delivering early learning and childcare opportunities for children.
Units include:
SVQ
You’ll have the opportunity to undertake 5 of the SVQ Level 2 units of the Social Services(Children and Young People) award.
You must complete these 4 mandatory Units:
Work Experience
You will be on a work placement one day per week during the year.
The placement can be a minimum one half day but can be up to one full day if appropriate.
This placement will be in early learning and childcare and/or early primary school.
It includes:
- The new National Progression Award (NPA) in Social Services: (Children and Young People)
- Part of the Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) Social Services (Children and Young People).
Here’s a bit more on what’s involved:
NPA
The NPA will give you the knowledge you need for the SVQ, along with the practical skills required for delivering early learning and childcare opportunities for children.
Units include:
- Safeguarding Children & Young People
- Play for Children & Young People
- Communication with Children & Young People
- Development of Children & Young People
- Promoting Wellbeing of Children & Young People
SVQ
You’ll have the opportunity to undertake 5 of the SVQ Level 2 units of the Social Services(Children and Young People) award.
You must complete these 4 mandatory Units:
- Support effective communication
- Support the Health & Safety of yourself and individuals
- Develop your own knowledge and practice
- Support the safeguarding of children
Work Experience
You will be on a work placement one day per week during the year.
The placement can be a minimum one half day but can be up to one full day if appropriate.
This placement will be in early learning and childcare and/or early primary school.
Assessments
All components of the course are assessed.
The NPA Units are assessed in college and the SVQ Level 2 units are assessed in the workplace. These assessments are a mixture of written reflective accounts & practical application – you will carry out tasks and your assessor will observe you and say when you have shown that you can do them to the require occupational standard.
You will also keep a reflective log and produce accounts of practice to demonstrate your knowledge of related legislation, policies, theories, professional values and practical skills.
The NPA Units are assessed in college and the SVQ Level 2 units are assessed in the workplace. These assessments are a mixture of written reflective accounts & practical application – you will carry out tasks and your assessor will observe you and say when you have shown that you can do them to the require occupational standard.
You will also keep a reflective log and produce accounts of practice to demonstrate your knowledge of related legislation, policies, theories, professional values and practical skills.
Progression
Once you’ve achieved this Foundation Apprenticeship, you will have gained an industry recognised qualification and work experience which will really help in your future career. It will support your progress whether you plan to study at college on the HNC Childhood Practice or enrol on a Modern Apprenticeship or go straight into work. Some universities accept the Foundation Apprenticeship as one of their entry criteria to a number of courses.
You will have attained a firm foundation for moving onto a Modern Apprenticeship in Social Services (Children and Young People). This will qualify you as a support worker and practitioner in a range of services across the sector, such as day care services or out of school care as a nursery assistant, play leader or nursery officer.
You will have attained a firm foundation for moving onto a Modern Apprenticeship in Social Services (Children and Young People). This will qualify you as a support worker and practitioner in a range of services across the sector, such as day care services or out of school care as a nursery assistant, play leader or nursery officer.
Career Prospects
A variety of careers in the field of social services include: Social Worker, Supported Programme and Living Worker, Residential Childcare and Children’s Centre Worker, Youth Work.
A variety of careers in the fields of childhood practice and education including: Support Worker in children’s day care services, Out of School Care, Nursery Assistant, Play Leader or Nursery officer. Progression pathways can lead to management roles in nurseries and day care centres.
This qualification is also very attractive to those wishing to pursue a career the teaching profession.
A variety of careers in the fields of childhood practice and education including: Support Worker in children’s day care services, Out of School Care, Nursery Assistant, Play Leader or Nursery officer. Progression pathways can lead to management roles in nurseries and day care centres.
This qualification is also very attractive to those wishing to pursue a career the teaching profession.
Additional funding information
N/A
Course Contact Details
Michelle Hodgson email hodgsonm@dumgal.ac.uk
Selling Points
A Foundation Apprenticeship can help you fast-track into a Modern Apprenticeship
This qualification takes you out of the classroom and gets your foot in the door with an employer.
You can choose a Foundation Apprenticeship as one of your subjects in S5 or S6 and it’s the same level as a higher
Can help you get into the college course you want
Can help to strengthen your university application.