Practical Skills in Health and Social Care (NQ) @ SCQF Level 5

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Introduction

This is a new programme designed to lead directly from College to employment and aims to prepare you for a career in Health and Social Care. It will provide the opportunity to integrate theory with practice involving practical placement with a service user group. Applicants who successfully complete this programme will gain an SVQ 2 in Health & Social Care as well as SCQF level 5 theory units.

You will be attending the majority of your theory lessons live online through Teams and you will be given the opportunity to develop your practical skills in our Care Hub flat.

It is likely you will be attending lessons face to face for a half day and one day online as well as one day on placement.

You must be able to cope physically and mentally with the demands of this level of study, much of which is independent and practical placement whilst also supporting people who may be at a vulnerable time in their lives.

Placement is likely to be with a local care provider and there you will be working hands on to attain your SVQ2, which is the qualification required to work in the care sector.

Course code

SPHS

Location:

Dumfries

Duration

You must be able to attend and engage 100% of the time online, face to face and on placement. Our placement providers are likely to be your future employers and you are a representative of the College when you are there.

Entry Requirements

You must be 18 years old at the start of the programme

You must be eligible to join the PVG scheme (criminal record check)

You must be able to demonstrate evidence of Covid vaccination at interview (Covid Passport App).

You must be reliable and physically and mentally capable of supporting others

You must be prepared to take a Lateral Flow test regularly and register your results

You must have five full awards at N4 level including English and Maths

Those who have not got the academic entry criteria must be able to demonstrate in their personal statement that they are capable of writing at the right level. You can do this by ensuring your personal statement is no less than 150 words, and by performing well at interview.

Information and Interview Session Requirements

Make sure your application personal statement is no less than 150 words and is relevant to the course and your future career aims.

Prepare for the interview – you’ll be asked questions about your chosen career, and the support you have at home. Have you the time to study 3 days a week? Really think about this, your decision shouldn’t be last minute, or just for something to do. We really want people who want to do this as a career. People who have a supportive network of friends and family tend to achieve the programme more readily.

You will also be asked this question:

‘Is it always better to be cared for at home?’ It shows you’ve read all about the course if you are well prepared to answer this at interview – and yes you can write your answer down and read it out at interview! We like students who are well prepared.

Please ensure prior to interview you have looked at the following web pages, you may be questioned about this at interview:

https://www.sssc.uk.com/fitness-to-practise/what-is-fitness-to-practise/

Course Content

SVQ2 in Care

Practical skills in our Care Hub

Skills for Work Health Sector at National 5

Prevention of Infection

Healthy Eating

First Aid

Core Skills

Assessments

Observation of practical, reflection on practice, essays, closed book assessments

Progression

This programme is intended for you to progress to work in the sector – it is not intended for progression academically. If you do wish to progress academically then you may be able to apply for the SCQF level 6 Health and Social Care Theory programme. Gaining your SVQ2 will allow you to be a registered practitioner with the SSSC.

Career Prospects

Working in the health and social care sector.

Additional funding information

You may be eligible for Bursary or EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance) funding for this course. Please contact a member of the funding team for details.

Selling Points

If you’ve no experience so cannot easily get a job in the sector, then this course will give you the experience and skills that you need. If you already have experience of working in care but want to see if you can gain the qualifications to aid promotion, then this is the course for you.

Many of our students are offered work from the placement provider if they make a good impression on placement.