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Health and Social Care
Access to Allied Health Professions
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SCQF Level
Level 6
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Attendance/Duration
Full-time, one year
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Start Date
Aug 2025
Overview
If you would like to work in a hospital or in the community supporting an Allied Health Professional such as a physiotherapist, occupational therapist or podiatrist this could be the course for you. Allied Health Support Workers are highly valued members of teams that assess, diagnose and treat people of all ages to enhance their health, wellbeing and quality of life. Team members will be kind, caring and non-judgemental. They will have good listening and communication skills, and they are sensitive to the needs of others
Entry requirements
- 5 National 5s at C or above
- Or life experience in a similar role and the ability to perform at SCQF level 6
- Applicants whose first language is not English should have a minimum SQA ESOL Higher or equivalent.
- You should be aware that you will be asked to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme and be occupationally fit for practice.
Selection
- A personal statement in which you should explain your motivation for studying this course and describe the skills, qualities, and life experiences you would bring to the course.
- An individual or group interview.
- Suitable references on request
Course content
You will have the opportunity to be involved in a number of informative and interactive workshops during the course some facilitated by our NHS partners.
Learning Topics include:
- Working in the Health Sector
- Improving Health and Wellbeing
- Safe Practice in Care
- Human Body
- Person Centred Care
A short observational placement with the NHS will be provided for those with a satisfactory PVG check.
Careers and Further Study
On successful completion of the course, you may be able to
- Find employment in the NHS or social care sector – interviews for AHP support roles are guaranteed as a graduate of this course.
- HNC Healthcare Practice
- HNC Social services
- HNC Counselling.
Skills
Practical care skills
Communications skills
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Team and Project work skills
Academic skills
Employer and Industry Links
Allied Health Professions in Scotland
Occupational Therapy Support Worker
Speech and Language Therapy Support Worker
Testimonial
Sarah-Ann Ross – student on HNC healthcare practice:
"It is brilliant. I studied the AHP (Allied Health Professional) course last year and the lecturers were fantastic, knowledgeable I learnt so much. I transitioned as a continuing student on the HNC in Health Care Practice. The transition into this new course was a smooth and simple process. I would highly recommend. As a mature student who hadn’t been in education for a number of years, I can not speak highly enough of the courses and the experiences that come with it. I have made friends for life and they are people I can depend on to help me through this year."
Articulation Routes
Successful students may progress onto HNC Healthcare Practice, HNC Social services or HNC Counselling.
Places available
Campus
Ayr
Start Date
Aug 2025