Health and Social Care

This course is suitable for anyone who is planning to work in any aspect of Social Services/Care or Healthcare. Most of the placements will be in Social Care settings but the components of the course are an excellent introduction to the wide range of careers in these sectors. So, it is relevant to you if you are interested in working in social care, nursing, social work, medicine and all the related professions. In your placement you will be working with adult service users. Most successful applicants will be in S6, but consideration will be given to S5 pupils if you can demonstrate that it will be appropriate to your progression pathway and can be accommodated in your timetable.

The course provides an excellent introduction to these sectors. Studying at SCQF Level 6 you will achieve a National Progression Award (NPA) by working on units:

• Social Services in Scotland
• Safeguarding People
• Communication in Care Relationships
• Safe practice & wellbeing
• Human Development and Social Influences

During your work placement you will also be working toward achieving SVQ units in:

• Supporting effective communication
• Supporting Health & Safety of you and individuals
• Develop your own knowledge & practice
• Support the safeguarding of individuals

This course is being delivered by North Ayrshire’s Health & Social Care Learning & Development team who are highly experienced practitioners in the sector.

You will have a one day per week work placement for the whole school year. We will do our best to ensure that your placement is as close to your home or school as is practically possible.

You will need to have a good level of literacy so you should have a Nat 5 English. You will need to demonstrate from your school record that you have the ability to study at SCQF Level 6. It is essential that you have an interest in working in the relevant sectors. We will ask for your school to make a recommendation and we will interview applicants.

A variety of assessment approaches will be used as you progress through the course. The SVQ elements will be assessed in the workplace while you are on placement and the assessor assigned to you will support you with your practice and advise on how you can improve your practice. The NPA elements will be assessed in class throughout the year and a variety of methods will be used to do that including preparing presentations, writing reflective logs & sharing your experiences with others. The class instructors will be assessing to ensure that you are meeting the standards required to achieve the NPA. You will receive ongoing advice and support to help you achieve the qualification.

You may progress to:

• A Modern Apprenticeship in Social Care
• Relevant college courses in Social Services and Healthcare sectors

The course is recognised by most universities as equivalent to a Higher for a whole range of courses in Social Service & Healthcare sectors (you should check with individual requirements of universities. Your school’s SDS Careers Adviser will be able to answer any queries you may have)

These are sectors that have well publicised staff shortages. Prospects are very good for anyone who successfully achieves their Foundation Apprenticeship.