Higher Level Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care

This qualification provides learners with the skills and knowledge needed to manage practice and lead others in Adult care setting. It confers occupational competence to work in a management role within a regulated Adult care setting. This programme incorporates managing a service, teams, individuals and resources. You will cover: motivation, communication, setting up management information systems, making sure that care homes and day care centres are safe environments to live and work in. All students in this course may be eligible for Higher Level Apprenticeship funding.

Academic Year: 2024/25
Course Code: 10193
Campus: Downpatrick, Lisburn, Newtownards
Study Type: Part-Time
Education Level Higher Education
Department: Health & Care
Course Structure

This professional qualification is designed to build advanced knowledge and skills required by Managers or Deputy Managers who work in the Residential / Nursing Care sector. It is the accepted qualification for registration and regulation in accordance with RQIA guidance needed. This qualification will also be appropriate for Managers who wish to gain a recognised leadership qualification. To achieve this qualification candidate’s need to complete mandatory (M) and optional (O) modules to a credit value of 120 and be competent in practical assessments i.e. complete 23 units of which 12 are mandatory (M)  

Year 1

  • Promote Professional Development (M) *   
  • Champion Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (M) * 
  • Manage Induction in Health and Social Care (M)*
  • Undertake a Research Project within Services for Health and Social Care or Children and Young People. (O)  
  • Lead Person-Centred Practice (M) 
  • Assess the Individual in a Health and Social Care Setting (M)
  • Manage domiciliary services (O)
  • Develop Procedures and Practice to Respond to Concerns and Complaints. (O)  
  • Manage an Inter-Professional Team in a Health and Social Care or Children and Young People’s setting. (O)
  • Lead and Manage a Team within a Health and Social Care or Children and Young People’s Setting (M)  
  • Lead and Manage Group Living for Adults (O)     

Year 2

  • Work in Partnership in Health and Social Care or Children and Young People’s Settings (M)  
  • Develop and Implement Policies and Procedures to Support the Safeguarding of Children and Young People. (O)   
  • Manage Health and Social Care Practice to Ensure Positive Outcomes for Individuals (M)  
  • Safeguarding and Protection of Vulnerable Adults (M)  
  • Manage Quality in Health and Social Care or Children and Young People’s Settings. (0)  
  • Develop & Evaluate Operational Plans for own area of responsibility (O)
  • Lead Positive Behavioural Support (O) 
  • Use and Develop Systems that Promote Communication (M)  
  • Develop Health and Safety & Risk Management Policies, Procedures & Practices in Health and Social Care or Children and Young People’s Settings (M)
  • Develop professional supervision practice in Health & Social Care or Children & Young People's Work settings (M)
  • Understand Safeguarding of Children and Young People for Those Working in the Adult Sector (M)
  • Recruitment & Selection within Health & Social Care or Children & Young People's settings (O)  

Directed Study:

6.0 hours per week to include practical classes, lectures, workshops or tutorials

Personal Study: 

A further 8 -10 hours per week, on average, studying and preparing assessments in your own time per week, including use of online materials.

This is a 2-Year Programme.

Students would be working in a deputy management position within an adult care setting with already having obtained NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.

General Entry Requirements: 

  • Level 3 Children's Care Learning & Development OR equivalent Health qualifications
  • Working at a Deputy or Managerial level in a Regulated Health Care setting or have access to managerial duties at least 1 day per week in a regulated health setting  
  • English GCSE/Essential Skills is preferred as desired criteria however, each candidate will be assessed on their own merit

English Language Requirements for International students:

  • Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2
  • IELTS 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in all skills)
  • PTE 51 Or an approved equivalent test in English

Equivalent qualifications include:

  • Grade C (or above) in GCSE English
  • Successful completion of a Level 3 Vocational Programme with assessments completed in English Language Essential Skills in Literacy (Level 2)
  • ESOL Level 2  

Tier 4 Students:  

  • SERC will only accept a Secure English Language Test (SELT) for issuing a Certificate of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Admissions:

APEL:

  • Provide evidence of ability to undertake the programme by meeting the requirements for the accreditation of prior experiential learning.  Further details on APEL can be found in the Admissions Section of our website.

Closing date for this qualification is 30th June 2024. Late applications may not be considered.

Higher Level Apprenticeship Eligibility

To be eligible for a Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA), in addition to the entry requirements identified above, you need to:

  • be employed or be about to take up permanent paid employment as an apprentice, or be an existing employee moving to a new job role, allowing you to gain appropriate industrial experience, with a Northern Ireland based company (does not include public sector) who is willing to support you as an HLA candidate,
  • work a minimum of 21 hours per week (which includes time for ‘off-the-job’ training),
  • be the minimum school leaving age in Northern Ireland.

Candidates are assessed using a range of different methods.  Primarily assessment of occupational competence in the workplace will be conducted through observations.  Assessment will also include coursework, Project Based Learning, presentations, practical, posters, leaflets, role-play, and case studies - dependent on the requirements of each unit of study. 

Oral, written and online feedback will be provided during your course to help improve and monitor performance.

Candidates will also submit a portfolio of evidence.

Candidates who successfully complete the programme will have a Managerial qualification for the regulated Adult Care sector and recognised by the Sector Skills Council.

Learners who achieve the Diploma are eligible to apply to progress to a Foundation Degree in a related discipline.

Candidates who successfully complete the programme will have a Managerial qualification for the regulated Early years sector and recognised by the Sector Skills Council.

Access NI clearance will need to be processed for each student at a cost of £32. 

 Pearson Edexcel Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care Services (Adults' Management) Wales and Northern Ireland

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Terms & Conditions

Students will be required to comply with SERC's Terms & Conditions of study.

We strive to ensure the description of courses on SERC's website and in publications is accurate. However, for various reasons there may be occasions when the College may need to change arrangements or be unable to deliver classes due to circumstances such as reduced funding. If there are insufficient numbers applying for a course it may not be viable to deliver the class.

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