Social Services: Children and Young People

Foundation Apprenticeship

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What's Social Services (Children and Young People) like?

Every child deserves the best start in life so they grow up to be happy, healthy and confident. You can help make sure this happens - and a Foundation Apprenticeship is a great place to start.

What's the qualification?

SCQF Level 6

You’ll gain a Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services (Children and Young People). That's the same level of learning as an SQA Higher which is SCQF Level 6.

Your qualification includes:

  • a National Progression Award (NPA) in Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF Level 6

  • core units of an SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF Level 6

  • a work placement

SCQF qualification levels explained

What will I learn?

For your National Progression Award, your topics will be:

  • Safeguarding of Children and Young People

  • Play for Children and Young People

  • Communication with Children and Young People

  • Development of Children and Young People

  • Promote the Wellbeing and Safety of Children and Young People

To achieve your SVQ units, you’ll be assessed as part of your work placement. You’ll learn how to:

  • support effective communication

  • support the health and safety of yourself and individuals

  • develop your own knowledge and practice

  • support the safeguarding of children

Your Foundation Apprenticeship will also help you to develop meta-skills. Employers value these skills, which include:

  • communication

  • problem-solving

  • working with others

  • time management

You'll need these transferable skills for working in a range of other related jobs.

Where could it take me?

Your Foundation Apprenticeship gives you lots of options, including:

  • Modern Apprenticeship: When you complete your Foundation Apprenticeship, you’ll have achieved core units. These let you progress to the higher level Modern Apprenticeship in Social Services (Children and Young People). That gives you a great head start.

  • further education: Continue your studies at college with an HNC or HND in a social services or healthcare subject. Your workplace experience will support your college application.

  • university: All Scottish universities recognise Foundation Apprenticeships as equal to SQA Highers. You’ll already have experience in the industry – this will make your UCAS stand out from the crowd.  This apprenticeship also provides you with 42 UCAS tariff points. Find out more about points on the UCAS website

  • straight to a job: Use your qualification and work experience to find a job in the social services and healthcare industry.

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Entry requirements

If you're staying on at school, you can apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship.

How does it work?

You'll do the Foundation Apprenticeship alongside your other school subjects. You'll work on projects with an employer and a learning provider, such as a college. It'll give you an industry-recognised qualification that's great for your CV.

Read our brilliant info on the Social Services (Children and Young People) Foundation Apprenticeship to see how it all works!

How long will it take?

You'll do your Foundation Apprenticeship over 1 or 2 years starting in S5 or S6. You'll usually do a work placement of about 1 day a week.

How to apply

If you're staying on at school, you can apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship.

Use the search tool to find out if this subject is available at your school. Then fill out the form that comes next, to let us know you're interested. We'll get back to you with more information.