Awarding level: RQF Level 3
Provider: Quals Skills
Delivery: Blended (online workshops + workplace assessment)
Typical duration: 9–12 months (flexes with evidence and placement hours)
Entry: Age 16+, DBS, suitable placement/employment with children & young people
Programme structure (modules & outcomes)
Block 1 — Professional practice & safeguarding
- Role of the practitioner, codes of conduct, information sharing
- Safeguarding & child protection, LADO thresholds, whistleblowing
- Health & safety, risk assessment, trips/visits
Outcomes: Safeguarding-first culture, safe working, accurate reporting
Block 2 — Child & young person development
- Physical, cognitive, language, social & emotional development 0–19
- SEND & inclusion; observation/assessment cycles; planning support
Outcomes: Use observations to plan differentiated support
Block 3 — Communication, relationships & multi-agency working
- Person-centred communication, challenging conversations
- Partnership with parents, education, health & social care
Outcomes: Effective partnership records and meetings
Block 4 — Behaviour, wellbeing & participation
- Positive behaviour support, trauma-informed/attachment-aware practice
- Voice of the child, participation, mental health awareness
Outcomes: Consistent PBS plans; reflective records
Block 5 — Learning support & planning (L&D pathway emphasis)
- Supporting teaching & learning, adaptive resources, assessment for learning
Outcomes: Produce and review learning support plans
Block 6 — Social care practice (Social Care pathway emphasis)
- Care planning, risk, boundaries, independence, advocacy
Outcomes: Person-centred plans; safe lone-working practices
Block 7 — Employment practice & CPD
- Equality, diversity & inclusion; GDPR; professional development plan
Outcomes: CPD log; reflective account mapped to standards
Assessment methods
- Direct observations in the workplace
- Reflective accounts & professional discussion
- Work products (plans, risk assessments, records)
- Witness testimonies (where appropriate)
- Knowledge tasks (short answers/case studies)
On-programme support
- Assessor visits/virtual observations, action planning, e-portfolio
- Progress reviews every 6–8 weeks; IQA sampling
Pathways
- Early Years, Learning & Development, Social Care—select at enrolment based on role and setting. (qualsskills.co.uk)
