Apprenticeship for the Children and Young Peoples Workforce

The Apprenticeship for Children and Young Peoples Workforce is designed for those who want to work in the childcare sector. It is the only Level 2 QCF qualification conferring occupational competence for the Children and Young Peoples Workforce. Specific job roles may include, assistant playgroups workers, assistants in childrens centres assistants in day nurseries, nursery schools and classes and support workers in the above settings.

Content

Candidates must complete units to a minimum of 35 credits comprising of Shared Mandatory Core Units (all 3 units must be taken by all candidates).

Introduction to Communication in Health and Social care or Children and Young People Settings

This unit introduces the central importance of communication with a range of people in such settings and ways to reduce barriers to communication. It also addresses the issue of confidentiality.

Introduction to Personal Development in Health and Social Care or Children and Young People Settings

This unit introduces the concepts of personal development and reflective practice which are fundamental to such roles, and ways to implement these.

Introduction to Equality and Inclusion in Health and Social Care or Children and Young People Settings

This unit introduces the concepts of equality, diversity and inclusion which are fundamental to such roles.

Early Years Mandatory Core Units (all 10 units must be taken by all candidates).

Child and Young Person Development

This unit aims to develop knowledge and understanding of child and young person development and the factors, including transitions, which may affect development.

Safeguard the Welfare of Children and Young People

This unit introduces the concepts of personal development and reflective practice which are fundamental to such roles and ways to implement these.

Maintain and Support Relationship with Children and Young People

This unit covers the competence required to maintain and support relationships with children and young people. It requires demonstration of competence in communicating with children and young people, developing and maintaining relationships with children and young people, and supporting relationships between children and young people and others in the work setting.

Support Children and Young Peoples Positive Behaviour

This unit provides the knowledge, understanding and skills required to support children and young people’s positive behaviour. It requires demonstration of competence in supporting positive behaviour and responding to inappropriate behaviour.

Contribute to the Support of Child and Young Person Development

The aim of this unit is for the learner to apply their knowledge and understanding in order to support child and young person development. The unit also includes support to children and young people experiencing transitions and positive behaviour support.

Contribute to Children and Young Peoples Health and Safety

The aim of this unit is to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to contribute to supporting children and young people’s health and safety.

Contribute to the Support of the Positive Environments Children and Young People

The purpose of this unit is to develop the learners understanding of why a positive environment is important to the individual needs of children and young people and the skills required to support this.

Understand Partnership wWorking in Services for Children and Young People

This unit provides knowledge and understanding of the importance of partnership working and effective communication.

Paediatric Emergency First Aid (Unit 1)

The purpose of the unit is for the learner to attain knowledge and practical competences required to deal with the range of paediatric emergency first aid situations contained.

Managing Paediatric Illness and Injury (Unit 2)

The purpose of the unit is for the learner to attain knowledge and practical competences required to deal with the range of paediatric illnesses and injuries contained in this unit.

Optional Units (candidates to choose units to make a total of at least 4 credits).

The Children and Young Peoples Workforce Optional component contains 10 Level 3 units which are part of the Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young Peoples Workforce. If any of these units are chosen, the credits achieved can be transferred to the Level 3 Diploma once the learner has registered onto the qualification.

Understand Child and Young Person Development

This unit provides knowledge and understanding of how children and young people from birth to 19 years develop, including underpinning theoretical perspectives. It also includes actions taken when differences in development are identified and the potential effects of transitions on children and young peoples development. Credit Value: 4 (L3).

Promote Child and Young Person Development

This unit provides a sound basis of knowledge, understanding and the competence required to promote children and young peoples development and positive behaviour. It also includes how to support children and young people going through transitions in their lives. Credit Value: 3 (L3).

Understand how to Safeguard the Well Being of Children and Young People

This unit provides the knowledge and understanding required to support the safeguarding of children and young people. The unit contains material on e-safety. Credit Value: 3 (L3).

Support Children and Young Peoples Health and Safety

This unit provides the knowledge, understanding and skills required to support children and young peoples health and safety. It requires a demonstration of competence in recognising hazards and undertaking risk assessments in the work setting. Credit Value: 2 (L3).

Develop Positive Relationships with Children, Young People and Others Involved in their Care

This unit is designed to enable the learner to understand and practice the skills required to develop positive relationships with children, young people and carers. Credit Value: 1 (L3).

Working Together for the Benefit of Children and Young People

The unit is designed to enable the learner to understand the importance of multi-agency and integrated working and to develop the skills of effective communication for professional purposes. It includes and assesses competence in information sharing between those involved in work with children and young people. Credit Value: 2 (L3).

Understand how to Support Positive Outcomes for Children and Young People

This unit aims to provide members of the children and young people’s workforce with an understanding of the factors that can impact, both negatively and positively, on the outcomes and life chances of children and young people. It includes approaches to supporting positive outcomes including disability and specific requirements (additional needs). Credit Value: 3 (L3).

Understand the Needs of Children and Young People who are Vulnerable and Experiencing Poverty and Disadvantage

The aim of this unit is to provide the learner with an in depth understanding of the effects of poverty and disadvantage on children and young people. Credit Value: 5 (L3).

Understand the Speech, Language and Communication Needs of Children and Young People with Behavioural, Social and Emotional Difficulties

This unit explores the way in which behaviour, social and emotional difficulties are linked with speech, language and communication and provides effective ways to support the speech, language and communication development of children and young people with behaviour, emotional and social difficulties. Credit Value: 3 (L3).
 

Support the Creativity of Children and Young People

This unit provides competence in working with children and young people to develop their creativity and innovative thinking. The unit explores day to day creativity for living and participation in organised creative activities. Credit Value: 3.

Support Children and Young People at Meal or Snack Times

This unit provides the knowledge, understanding and skills required to support children and young people at meal or snack times. It covers the principles of healthy eating and requires demonstration of competence in supporting hygiene and positive behaviour at meal and/or snack times. Credit Value: 3.
 

Support Children and Young People with Disabilities and Special Educational Needs

This unit provides the knowledge and skills to support disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs. It covers understanding the rights and needs of disabled children and young people and those with special educational needs and supporting their inclusion and participation in the full range of activities and experiences provided by the setting. Credit Value: 4.
 

Support Children and Young Peoples Play and Leisure

This unit provides the knowledge, understanding and skills required to support children and young peoples play and leisure. It requires demonstration of competence in supporting play and leisure activities, helping children and young people to manage risk and challenge and reflecting on and improving own practice. Credit Value: 3.
 

Contribute to the Support of Childrens Communication, Language and Literacy

To understand the importance of communication, language and literacy for childrens learning and development. Credit Value: 2.
 

Contribute to the Support of Childrens Creative Development

To understand the importance of creative development and describe how creative development links to other areas of learning and development within the framework related to own work setting. Credit Value: 2.
 

Introduction to Duty of Care in Health and Social Care or Children and Young Peoples Settings

This unit is aimed at those who work in health or social care settings or with children or young people in a wide range of settings. It introduces the concept of duty of care and awareness of dilemmas or complaints that may arise where there is a duty of care. Credit Value: 1.

Candidates require a minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade D or above, including English. In addition, candidates should be working a minimum of 16 hours per week. Applicants must be aged between 16 to 18.

Candidates are required to attend college 1 day per week during term time. These sessions provide taught input on the knowledge evidence required for each mandatory unit and therefore provide candidates with a good understanding of how to perform their job role effectively. This is then assessed via written assignment tasks undertaken throughout the academic year in college.

The performance and competence element of the Apprenticeship is assessed via a portfolio of evidence which is built by the candidate to demonstrate knowledge, performance and understanding of their job role. A variety of assessment methods are used which can include direct observation, professional discussion, examination of work products, witness statements, accreditation of prior learning and experience and reflective accounts.

The Key Skills element of the qualification comprises written and verbal communications together with numeracy skills. These are assessed via a portfolio and on line tests. Candidates also complete a booklet on Employer Rights and Responsibilities to ensure they understand what is expected from them in the workplace and what they can expect from their employer plus a paediatric first aid course.
 

Fees for the 2013/14 academic year are currently under review. Figures given below are indicative only and subject to change. Fees will be posted here as soon as they become available.

The minimum wage for new Apprentices is £2.50 per hour for those who are under 19 or aged 19+ in the first year of their Apprenticeship. However, employers are encouraged to pay a higher salary where possible. The college receives government funding to pay for the training and assessment costs. The apprentice must receive a wage slip and have a written contract of employment. Further advice can be obtained from the minimum wage help line 0845 6000678 or go to www.direct.gov.uk/nmw and www.apprenticeships.org.uk.