Social Services and Healthcare
Foundation Apprenticeship
Description
This Foundation Apprenticeship gives pupils skills to prepare for a career in social services. It'll help them to:
learn to communicate with people who use care services
understand and support people's social and developmental needs
Examples of course units include:
National Progression Award (NPA)
Social services in Scotland
Safeguarding people
SCQF
Develop your own knowledge and practice
Support the safeguarding of individuals
You can support pupils to aim for rewarding jobs where they can improve lives and help others. Possible care roles could include:
adult or children's nurse
care assistant
care home manager
residential support worker
social worker
Apprenticeship framework(s)
Successful candidates will achieve a Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 6. This is the same level of learning as an SQA Higher.
SCQF qualification levels explained
Select Level 6 to see the framework document and qualification at that level.
a National Progression Award (NPA) in Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 6
core units of an SVQ in Social Services and Healthcare at SCQF Level 6
a work placement
SCQF qualification levels explained
Download Foundation Apprenticeship - Social Services and Healthcare SCQF Level 6 framework document
Entry requirements
Pupils don't need formal qualifications for entry, but should have:
a good level of written and spoken English
the ability to work with others
communication skills
problem-solving skills
a commitment to the appropriate values
The pupil would select a Foundation Apprenticeship as a school subject choice. Then they'd go through a recruitment process arranged by the college, or other learning provider. It's great if you can get involved, too.
Pupils need to register with the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme before placement.
Progression and development
Pupils will get the skills, knowledge and competence to help them move on to:
a Modern Apprenticeship
more vocational training
further study at school or college
These will help them to prepare for working in a social services subject.
If you're looking to hire, Foundation Apprenticeships help you spot talented pupils. You can assess their skills on a longer term than a regular interview process would allow.
How does it work?
In S5 pupils may complete an industry challenge project based on a care practice issue. They could spend up to 10 days learning about a care setting and the care practice issue.
In S6 each pupil must complete a work placement of about 1 day a week. That helps them build the evidence needed to complete the units from the SVQ. We recommend that placements are in community care or in daycare for adults or older adults.
Cost and funding
There’s no financial cost to you as an employer because the learner is still at school. But investing your time can bring rewards, with access to talented young people in your workplace.
How long will it take?
It can take 1 year or 2 years. Pupils study a Level 6 Foundation Apprenticeship as one of their school subjects, usually over S5 and/or S6.
What's next
Fill out our contact form and we'll connect you with your local learning provider who can talk to you about working with Foundation Apprenticeships.