Healthcare
A breakdown of the qualification and course content
A breakdown of the qualification and course content
What exactly is a Foundation Apprenticeship and what is it worth?
Foundation Apprenticeships consist of groups of qualifications which are comparible to a Higher and are very recognisable in industries. The main qualification in the award will usually be a National Progression Award or a National Certificate at SCQF level 6 (same level as a Higher).
In most of our Foundation Apprenticeships you will also complete some SVQ units while in your work placement. SVQs are a work based qualification which allows individuals to demonstrate their competency by providing written and other forms of evidence.
Depending on the course, you might complete work which could be considered as comparable to more than one Higher but this is normaly assessed on an individual basis by the university or college you apply to.
We explain this further in the progression section.
Course units
Course units
National Progression Award in Social Services and Healthcare
| Units | Description |
|---|---|
| Social Services in Scotland | This Unit is an introduction for the learner to the context and the range of social services provision, providers of services and the role of social services and healthcare partnerships. You will also cover the guidance that influences social services and the importance of reflection as a learning and developmental tool. |
| Safeguarding People |
This unit will introduce you to the important area of safeguarding people from risk, harm and exploitative behaviour. It identifies different types of risk, harm, and exploitative behaviour, together with signs and symptoms that might indicate they are occurring. The Unit also introduces the rights and responsibilities that surround safeguarding, what might be done to reduce the need for safeguarding interventions, and underpinning social services values and principles |
| Communication in Care Relationships | This Unit will introduce you to communication in care relationships. It highlights the central importance of communication in social services settings, in particular the communication needs, wishes and preferences of individuals. It will enable you to consider factors that might create barriers to communication, and ways in which barriers can be reduced. You will be introduced to the principles and practices of confidentiality in social services settings. |
| Safe Practice and Wellbeing in Social Services | This Unit will give you an introduction to health and safety in adult social services. Leaners will investigate the risks associated with working in the sector and the health and safety responsibilities of employers and employees |
| Human Development and Social Influences | The Unit will provide you with a framework to understand the main stages of human development and some of the wider social influences that can impact on individuals who are receiving a care service. It will enable you to review and apply some of the key theories, concepts and models that inform social services practice, and promote awareness of underpinning social services values and principles |
| SVQ Units | Description |
|---|---|
| Support effective communication | This unit will allow you to identify requirements in supporting individuals in care or healthcare setting. This includes identifying how best to communicate with individuals and supporting them to communicate back with you and other people. This also covers communication through record and reports. |
| Support the health and safety of yourself and individuals | This unit will allow you to identify the requirements needed to keep yourself and individuals safe and secure within a work setting where children, young people or adults are cared for or supported. This includes carrying out health and safety checks before youbegin work activities, ensuring your actions support health and safety, and taking action to deal with emergencies. |
| Develop your own knowledge and practice | This unit will allow you to evidence reflection on your current skills and knowledge in the workplace, takign opportunities to improve your practice and applying learning in the workplace. |
| Support the safeguarding of individuals | This unit will allow you to evidence your understanding of the requirements which must permeate all your work with individuals. You will be required to clarify your own understanding of safeguarding and what you must do in cases of actual or potential harm or abuse. The requirements include relating to people in ways that promote safeguarding, working in ways that support the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of individuals and supporting individuals to keep themselves safe. |
Progression routes
Progression routes
The Foundation Apprenticeships in Healthcare offers a number of paths following completeion.
Modern Apprenticeships - There are opportunities to progress to an MA in the care sector.
UHI Progression
On successful completion you will be able to progress to the :
HNC Social Services
or
Applying to other universities
Skills Development Scotland had been working closely with universities and colleges to understand the ways that the Foundation Apprenticeship Award is considered in their admissions policies.
We have included the most up to date guides from Skills Development Scotland
Employer links
Employer links
Foundation Apprenticeships are designed in consultation with industries who are relevant to the subject.
This consultation continues throughout the yearly delivery of our Foundation Apprenticeship courses.
This can take the form of:
- Classroom talks from key individuals in companies who participate in Foundation Apprenticeship placements.
- Opportunities to showcase learning to various employers.
- Challenges and projects set for Foundation Apprenticeships by employers.
- Classroom vists from Modern and Graduate apprentices.
- Vists to employers.
All employers who agree to provide placements are also approved by us and the local authority to have school children on their premises and they work closely with the Developing the Young Workforce Team at Inverness College UHI to support and observe the young person in the work placement.
Case Study
This years Healthcare foundation apprentices had the opportunity to volunteer in Evanton Community Woodlands, Scotlands first accredited Dementia Friendly woods.
They helped to build the new shelter at Mags Woods, before meeting with participants of the demetia group who were making memory blankets.
Engaging with communities and working with specific groups is an important skills building experience for a career in Healthcare and we are committed to providing our young apprentices with as broad a spectrum of opportunity as possible to be stretched and have the ability to schowcase their skills.
How to apply
How to apply
Applications for Foundation Apprenticeships open in January each year as part of our wider schools programme application process. Dates are directly communicated to schools, and are also available on our website. Applicants can apply on our schools section until the closing date.
You can discuss an application or potential application with your guidance teacher at any time and request further information from the our schools team.