Higher Level Apprenticeship in Leadership for Children's Care Learning and Development (Management)

General Entry Requirements:

• Level 3 Children's Care Learning & Development OR Health qualification
• A level or equivalent
• Working at a Deputy or Managerial level in a Regulated Early Years setting or have access to managerial duties at least 1 day per week in a Regulated Early Years 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
• Successfully 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)

Job role

All candidates must be in a role which includes responsibility for the development of staff, the review of policies and partnership with other professionals.

Admissions

• Successful completion of the admissions process

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    

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 this will be assessment of occupational competence in the workplace through observations and candidates will submit a portfolio of evidence. Assessment will also include coursework, Project Based Learning, presentations, practical, posters, leaflets, role-play, and case studies.  This is 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 who successfully complete the programme will have a Managerial qualification for the regulated Early Years sector and recognised by the Sector Skills Council.

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

• Understand children and young person's development
• Promote professional development
• Professional practice in children's care, learning and development
• Use and develop systems that promote communication
• Champion equality, diversity and inclusion
• Work in partnership with health and social care or children and young peoples settings
• Lead and manage a team within a health and social care or children and young people's setting
• Develop professional supervision practice in heath and social care or children and young people's work settings
• Support Children's Care, Learning and Development in the Early Years
• Lead Practice that Supports Positive outcomes for Child and Young Person Development
• Develop and Implement Policies and Procedures to support the safeguarding of children and young people. 
• Support others to promote children's communication in an early years setting
• Develop procedures and practice to respond to concerns and complaints