Private Care Sector Workforce Initiative
Courses
Although we do provide some information on available courses, it is not a key purpose of the site to list a wide range of programmes related to health and social care. We do offer links in this section and in Providers of Learning which you may find useful.
The information we do offer is on courses (or courses in development) where, for example, there is national interest in relation to SSSC registration or post-registration requirements; they are being run by the Learning Network or a Centre of Excellence (see providers of learning for examples & links); a professional body; a non-commercial provider; or Scottish Care or Scottish Care at Home are involved in their development.”
Also, and as indicated in the Introduction to Learning Opportunities, the Workforce Initiative does not endorse any specific course or programme of learning.
You may also find useful information about opportunities for learning in the online resources area of this site.
Social Work Student Placements
Would you be interested in offering a Social Work student a practice learning opportunity in your care home or care at home service?
Scotland’s universities are keen to place Social Work students in a range of settings more
Students on professional Social Work courses rarely get the opportunity to practice in a care home or care at home service and very rarely in the private sector. 9 students recently completed placements in care homes in the Edinburgh, Lothians and Borders area and these proved extremely positive and rich learning experiences for the students and the homes. Models of how this works in practice have been developed. If you are interested in discussing this further please contact David Rennie on 07946 607532 or at
New Qualifications for Supervisors in care home services for adults
Below you will find a selection of recently launched courses along with two courses of interest to Supervisors in health and social care. See the section on SSSC registration for further guidance.
The SSSC register for Supervisors opened in October 2007.
SQA PDA in health and Social Care Supervision
We are pleased to announce that on 31 March a new award for Supervisors was validated by SQA – the PDA in Health and Social Care Supervision (16 credits at SCQF Level 7). This is specifically designed to meet the SSSC registration requirements for Supervisors and it contains two Higher National Units, ‘Supervising the Protection of People’ and ‘Supervising People.’
Information about the award is on the SQA website click here to view information
OU Managing in the Workplace
Scottish Care has been working in partnership with the Open University in Scotland to continue the development of the care sector version of their B121 Managing in the Workplace award (30 Credits at SCQF Level 7), specifically targeted at Supervisors in a social care setting. Details of the course are available by clicking here. The award meets the SSSC registration requirements for Supervisors.
Units from Health and Social Care Level 4
An option to meet the SSSC registration criteria for a supervisor is for an individual to undertake 2 Units of the Health and Social Care SVQ Level 4, for example 'Lead teams to support a quality provision' and 'Take responsibility for the continuing professional development of self and others.' The following course from Training for Care offers this programme - click here to view the programme.
Recently Launched Courses & Relevant Information
Professional Development Award in Practice Learning
The learning network West has released information and application packs for the next cohorts for this award. There is an Information Leaflet available to download.
Go to the learning networks website to download the application forms which are available in pdf.
Developing a Person Centred Approach to the Support & Care of People with Dementia
This is a 15 week, online undergraduate module course suitable for those in management roles from the Dementia Services Development Centre. Given the increasing numbers of people with dementia living in the community and care homes, care managers need to be aware of changing responses to the changing needs of clients. There is also the need to show evidence of continuous professional learning. This university accredited module provides a basic understanding of many aspects for dementia practice.
Further information on the course can be obtained from Lynsey Manson on tel. 01786 467740 or email or by visiting the education and training pages of the Centre's website.
Social Care Association - Preparing for Practice Induction Award
The Social Care Association (SCA) has developed an Induction Award that can be used and adapted by social services, care or support organisations to meet the induction needs of workers.
The award, Preparation for Practice, is certificated by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and is currently being piloted by the voluntary sector before being made available more widely in 2009. SCA is the Assessment Centre for the award, which has three units: Understanding your Organisation and Workplace , Social Service Practice: An introduction , Develop Knowledge and Skills relevant to your specific service .
The cost is likely to be around £120 plus VAT per candidate.
For more information, contact the Centre Coordinator, Janet Miller at or the Centre Contact, Elspeth Little at
Practice Learning Qualifications Social Services (PLQ (SS)) Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer
Work has been completed by Tayforth Learning Network on a number of documents which will help programmes, employers and candidates think about the potential to use Credit Transfer or RPL when working toward achievement of the PLQ (SS). These documents are:
Guidelines for Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Informal Learning (RPL)
Mapping of relevant awards against PLQ (SS)
Case study for SVQ 4 Health and Social Care and Assessor award (A1) against PLQSS
Case studies for PLQ(SS) at stages 1,2 and 3
