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Other Qualifications

ESOL – English for speakers of other languages for work

ESOL covers a wide  range of courses dependant upon the current level of competency of the learner. Learners must be assessed prior to enrolling on any particular course.

ESOL courses cover:

Foundation Degree

Foundation degrees are a mix of academic and work-based learning designed in partnership with employers. Traditional academic qualifications are not necessarily required to gain entry to a course. Courses usually have flexible teaching arrangements involving part-time or evening attendance at college, distance learning or learning via the internet together with learning in the workplace.

This highly flexible foundation degree in Health and Social Care provides staff, who are working in health and social care settings, to gain new knowledge and skills.

The course is primarily aimed at care workers who are taking on new roles such as Assistant Practitioners, Associate Practitioners or Team Leaders who have already achieved a level of responsibility but who want to consolidate that with evidence of new knowledge and skills to enhance their practise. It is, however, open to all who are interested in exloring new aspects of health and social care and who are in employment in a relevant place of work. The course combines both classroom study and work based learning, and is delivered in partnership with local health and social care employers.
The Foundation Degree is an award in its own right, but for students who wish to progress further, they may have the opportunity to register for a professional training programme.

Diploma in Society Health and Development

Diplomas are a new qualification for 14-19 year olds that will be available in schools, colleges and other education institutions. Diplomas offer an alternative route to existing options such as GCSEs, A levels, vocational and apprenticeship qualifications and learning programmes. For a long time, employers have wanted to recruit young workers who are equipped with the right skills they need to get on in work, so they can make a real contribution from the earliest opportunity. The Diploma in SHD is designed to provide, for the first time, a holistic programme of applied and general learning relating to the children’s services, health, community justice and adult social care sectors.

The Diploma in Society, Health and Development will be offered at Levels 1, 2 and 3 and is aimed at 14 to 19 year olds of all abilities.

Each level is equivalent to: At Level 3, you can choose to follow either the Progression Award (equivalent to 2 A levels) or the full Diploma in SHD (equivalent to 3 A levels).
Learners will have ten days work placement at Levels 1 and 2, and at Level 3, 20 days work placement in at least two sectors.

For employers
With its focus on key learning in numeracy, literacy and ICT, and work-based learning combined with academic work, the Diploma in SHD is designed to help you recruit young people who are ready to make a contribution from the earliest opportunity.
The Diploma in SHD will help your organisation to:

Apprenticeships

This Apprenticeship covers a wide range of job roles in the health care and social care fields.  They are work-based training programmes designed around the needs of employers, which lead to national recognised qualifications. You can use Apprenticeships to train both new and existing employees. Funding is available to train apprentices.

There are three levels of Apprenticeship available for those aged 16 and over:


1 - Apprenticeships (equivalent to five good GCSE passes)
Apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications. This includes a QCF Level 2 Diploma, Key Skills (communication and number level 1), Employment Rights and Responsibilities and, in most cases, a relevant knowledgebased qualification such as a BTEC. These provide the skills to work in the care Sector and allow entry to an Advanced Apprenticeship.

2 - Advanced Apprenticeships (equivalent to two A-level passes) 
Advanced apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications. This includes an QCF Level 3 Diploma, Key Skills (communication and number level2), Employment Rights and Responsibilities  and, in most cases, a relevant knowledgebased certificate such as a BTEC. To start this programme, the applicant should ideally have five GCSEs (grade C or above) or have completed an Apprenticeship.

3 - Higher Apprenticeships
Higher apprentices work towards work-based learning qualifications such as an QCF Level 5 Diploma and, in some cases, a knowledge-based qualification such as a Foundation degree.

Job Roles
Level 2 (Apprenticeship)