Childhood Practice & SVQ Provision
Access to Working with Children with Additional Support Needs (SCQF 5)
Campus Sighthill Campus
Qualification SCQF Level 5
Study mode Full time
Duration 20 weeks
Start date
Aug 2024
Course enquiry form
Course overview
This brand new course delivered at our Sighthill campus, has been specially designed as a fast-track course that will support progression to our PDA Education Support Assistance in January 2025 with the potential to progress to HNC Childhood Practice in August 2025.
This course is designed for individuals who are focused and self-motivated to complete a dynamic and fast-paced 18-week course. Due to the fast-track nature of this course, it is essential that you can undertake self-directed work within your own time, and have a high level of attendance and commitment.
It is an engaging and interactive course designed to introduce students to working with children and young people and focus on supporting additional support needs (ASN). Alongside studying SQA units in ASN, Child Development and Wellbeing, you will also develop a range of Meta-skills relating to Childhood Practice and study a range of microtopics that will support your personal and professional development now and in your future career.
The course also includes the Core skills of Communications (SCQF 5) and Numeracy (SCQF 4). These units are essential to successfully support children and young people's learning and development.
This course will particularly suit applicants who have achieved the Skills for Work Early Learning and Childcare National 5 award but not English or Communications at SCQF Level 5, so do not currently meet entry requirements for a Childhood Practice SCQF Level 6 course.
Previous experience will be considered and work experience in a childcare setting is desirable but not mandatory.
To help prepare you for your course and share further information we have created an online Padlet notice board. This will be regularly updated until the course starts in August.
What you will learnSCQF Level 5 (National 5) Units include:
- Supporting Children with ASN
- Development and Wellbeing of Children and Young People
- Communication
SCQF Level 4 (National 4) Units include:
- Numeracy
You will also study:
- Working in Childhood Practice
- Meta-skills
- Outdoor Play & Learning
Placement information
There is no placement or work experience on this course.
How the course is assessed
- This course will be assessed by a range of methods
- You will be assessed continually throughout the course
- You will build folios of work, write reports and reflect on your learning
- You will complete a closed-book assessment
Number of days per week
- 16 hours of class contact per week
- Days and hours will be confirmed as soon as available (see Padlet)
- We recommend that you will need at least an additional 3 hours per week of self-study and homework
Entry requirements
- English or Communication plus two other subjects at National 4 (or equivalent)
- If you have successfully achieved Skills For Work Early Learning and Childcare National 5 but have not achieved English or Communications at SCQF 5, this course is an ideal fast-track to progress to a Childhood Practice SCQF Level 6 course in January
- If you have successfully achieved a relevant National 4 full-time course or SCP Childhood Practice National 4 you will be eligible to progress to this Level 5 course
- If you do not have the formal entry requirements but you have significant experience working with children you will also be considered: please detail this in your personal statement
- Spaces are very limited, with selection based on your Personal Statement
Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements
- You will have an individual interview as part of the selection process for this course
- This will help identify if this fast-track, intensive course is the most appropriate Level 5 course for you
Writing a personal statement
Your personal statement is an important part of your application and it can help us to decide if you are suitable for the course.
To make sure that you are giving us all the information we need to consider your application fully, please include the following:
- Your reasons for applying for this course. Why does it interest you? Why are you suitable for this course?
- Details of any relevant qualifications, achieved or pending, that you have to meet the course entry requirements
- Details of any Childhood Practice qualifications, achieved or pending
- Information about any courses or training you have done that are relevant – this can include certificated training such as First Aid or CPD courses
- Details of any work experience (paid or voluntary) that is relevant to the course
- Your future career plans – how will this course help you to reach your goals?
You should check that the statement is written clearly, and using appropriate language. It is a good idea to ask someone to proofread the statement before sending it.
English Proficiency Requirements
To enable our students the best opportunity of achieving this course, applicants for whom English is an additional language require an existing English language certificate at IELTS Level 5.5 or equivalent. Alternatively, additional language applicants will be required to undertake an English Language Assessment at College, free of cost. English proficiency at IELTS Level 5.5 or equivalent is a course entry requirement. If you would like more information on this please contact Duncan.munro@edinburghcollege.ac.ukProgression and Articulation Routes
- PDA Education Support Assistance (Working with Children with ASN: Fast track) in January
- NC Childhood Practice (SCQF 6)
- PDA Education Support Assistance (Classroom Support Assistant) (SCQF 6)
- HNC Childhood Practice (SCQF 7)
- Suitability for progression will be determined by achievement, attendance record, conduct and a successful progression discussion
Career options
- This course will prepare you for working with children and designed to support progression on to further study, working towards a career in Early Learning and Childcare with a focus on working with children with Additional Support Needs in a mainstream or specialist setting
Study Options
| Campus | Study mode | Start date | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sighthill Campus | Full time | 26/08/24 | 20 Weeks |
