Social Services, Children and Health Care NPA (Level 6)

This course will provide you with the introductory skills and knowledge that are important in the Early Education, Childcare and Playwork sector.  This course will provide you with real-life skills, opportunities for career planning and the enhancement of employment prospects within children and young people’s services.

You will learn about the perspectives of child development a variety of influences and circumstances may affect their development.

You’ll consider the importance and benefits of play through exploration of some of the significant theories and develop your understanding of how adults can support play.

You will investigate different methods of communication with children and young people. You’ll reflect on what might create barriers to communication and ways in which these barriers can be overcome.

You will examine the wellbeing and safety of children and young people and the adult’s role in ensuring their safety and safeguarding children and young people from risk, harm and exploitation. You will consider different types of risk, harm and exploitation, together with signs and symptoms that might indicate they are occurring.

The qualification also meets the National Occupation Standards for employers.

Entry Requirements

This course would suit caring, considerate and compassionate students with a genuine desire to work in the childcare sector who hold five National 5s at Grade C or above.

Progression Pathways

Successful completion of the NPA allows you access to a varied progression path.  You can undertake an HNC in Social Services, Healthcare practice or Childhood practice.  You can also progress into a diverse range of University degrees.

Explore the Full Course Progression Pathway.

Employment Prospects

Education, Health Workers and Social Services are all within the top five employing occupations in Scotland, and this is projected to continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.  This course could prove to be the first step to many careers within this sector including Early Learning and Childcare Practitioner, Primary School Teacher or working with parents and families.