Support is provided for up to 12 months but it is entirely up to you how quickly you work through the course. The estimated study time is 90 hours so if you average around 5-6 hours a week study you would complete in 5-6 months.

The course is available in both paper and online format. We recommend the paper version as it is delivered hard copy in folders. These are yours to keep so you can write on them, make notes etc. Your pack will contain everything you need to begin your course including your lessons, tutor and support information. In addition a study guide explaining how to get started along with comprehensive study notes for each element of the course is included.

Support is provided throughout the course via a tutor who can be emailed at any time should you come across anything you are unsure of. There is also a support team by telephone. Don't hesitate to ask if you are unsure!

In addition you will have access to weekly group zoom meetings where students will have an opportunity to submit questions to a tutor and get the necessary support. Even if you haven't a question of your own, the questions and answers given to other students may prove invaluable to you.

The course is split into six units. At the end of each unit you will complete an assignment which you will email to your tutor. An assignment is a set of questions based upon the unit you have just studied. If there are any areas for improvements or anything that you have misunderstood you will always have the opportunity to re-submit.

The good news is there are no exams! Once you have completed all the assignments you complete the course.

Unit 1: Understand Schools and Colleges as Organisations

In this unit students will cover:

• The different types of schools in the education center
• How schools are organised in terms of roles and responsibility
• How schools uphold their aims and values
• The laws and codes of practice that effect work in schools
• The range and purpose of school policies and procedures
• The wider context in which schools operate

Unit 2: Child and Young Person Development

In this unit students will cover:

• The main stages of child and young person development
• The kinds of influences that effect children and young peoples development
• The potential effects of transitions on children and young peoples development

Unit 3: Communication and professional relationships with children, young people and adults

In this unit students will cover:

• How to interact with and respond to children and young people
• How to interact with and respond to adults
• How to communicate with children, young people and adults
• Current legislation, policies and procedures for confidentiality and sharing information, data protection

Unit 4: Understand Children and Young People's Health and Safety

In this unit students will cover:

• Legislative guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding the welfare of children and young people including e-safety
• What to do when children or young people are ill or injured, including emergency procedures
• How to respond to evidence or concerns that a child or young person has been abused, harmed or bullied
• Know about current policies and procedures for confidentiality and sharing information, including data protection

Unit 5: Safeguarding Children and Young People

In this unit students will cover:

• Legislative guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding the welfare of children and young people including e-safety
• What to do when children or young people are ill or injured, including emergency procedures
• How to respond to evidence or concerns that a child or young person has been abused, harmed or bullied
• Know about current policies and procedures for confidentiality and sharing information, including data protection

Unit 6: Understand Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in work with Children and Young People

In this unit students will cover:

• The importance of promoting equality and diversity in working with children and young people
• The impact of prejudice and discrimination on children and young people
• The inclusion and inclusive practices in working with children and young people

This course provides successful students with a qualification from NCFE CACHE, regulated by Ofqual. NCFE CACHE is an Awarding Organisation recognised by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England and by the Welsh Government.

This is a knowledge based qualification suitable for support roles in schools, including site staff, administrators etc as well as those who work directly with children and young people.