Children and Young Peoples Workforce

and
Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning


A Guide for Students











COURSE HANDBOOK

CYPW 2012-2013


INTRODUCTION

Highlands College is currently the only provider of the Childcare and Education
qualifications in Jersey. We run 3 courses, which are designed to be taken in order
and can eventually lead to qualifications for a practitioner in a childcare or school
setting. The next page explains in more detail but they are:

Children and Young Peoples Workforce Level 2
Children and Young Peoples Workforce Level 3
Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning Level 3

The courses only run if there are sufficient numbers usually a minimum of 12
students. To do these courses you must already be working with children for a
minimum of 15 hours a week and have been doing so for a minimum of 6 months
prior to the start of the course. There are two reasons for this, the first is that you
will be assessed in your workplace as part of the qualification; the second is that
you must have knowledge about your working environment which will help you to
complete the written work required.


Are these nationally recognised qualifications?
Yes. Each of our courses is run according to the requirements of the Childcare
Registration Department of Jersey, but are also recognised in the UK, which
means you would be qualified to work anywhere in the UK. Each of our courses is
accordance to the requirements of the examining body CACHE (Council for
Awards in Care, Health and Education). Each year the quality of these courses are
assessed by an External Quality Assurer from the organisation. The course are
developed in collaboration with trade unions, professional associations, Sector
Skills Councils, (SSCs), and government departments to ensure all our
qualifications are truly fit for purpose. Over 1000 Colleges and Training Providers
in the UK and abroad use these qualifications.


Who will be teaching me?
The current teaching staffs all have child care or education qualifications,
professional experience and teaching qualifications.

You might also be taught by specialist guest speakers or other lecturers during
your course. Your tutor will advise you if this is going to happen.







Progression chart

Level 2 Children and young Peoples Workforce

























Level 3 Children and Young Peoples workforce

Level 3 Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in schools





GROUND RULES FOR LEARNING

We hope the course will be a positive experience for you and have set out the
following guidelines to ensure everyone has the same expectations from the start:



As a courtesy to your fellow students and the tutor, please try to be on time
for your class.


Mobiles should be switched off for the duration of the session. If you are
expecting an urgent call, please leave your phone on silent and leave the
room to answer it so that disruption is kept to a minimum.


Because of the nature of your course, confidentiality is important. Please
respect the privacy of your fellow students and do not share any personal
information you may hear during the class.


Highlands College is an equal opportunities establishment where we expect
every student - regardless or age, gender, disability, race or academic
ability to feel free to contribute to the class and express their views without
fear of ridicule.


Highlands College is a no smoking campus and there are no cigarette
breaks allocated for your course.


Frequently Asked Questions


THE COURSE


What are the entry requirements?
Students should be at least 18 years old to start the training but there is no upper
age limit. You need to be at an appropriate level of maturity and have a positive
frame of mind.
Level 2 we require that candidates have at least 6 months experience within a
setting either voluntary or paid and to work for 15 hours per week.
Level 3 we require that candidates have at least 6 months experience within a
setting in paid employment and to work for 15 hours per week.



Will I need to have an interview?
Usually yes. This will be short and informal with members of the part time courses
team. You will be asked to bring an example of your written work. This is to check
you have the literacy skills you need to complete the academic elements of your
course. If you don't, Highlands can help you with this. You will also be asked to
bring along 2 references, one from the setting you are currently working in, a
completed form that indicates you have had a CRB check and an up to date
Curriculum Vitae. If you are applying for the Level 3 Diploma in specialist Support
for Teaching and Learning you will not be required to come for interview as
selection is based on school discretion. However, all potential candidates for
courses will need to attend the mandatory information evening.


Do I have to attend every lesson?
The UK awarding body requires that you attend a minimum of 80% of the taught
sessions or you might not be eligible for the qualification. You are required to
attend the underpinning knowledge parts of the qualification. Research has shown
there is a direct correlation between attendance and success in learning.


What will the workload be like?
Before you consider beginning any of the courses you should be aware that it
would involve more hours than just the classroom sessions. You will be asked to
keep a reflective journal about your learning and events or activities that take place
within your day-to-day work routine. You will be required to complete knowledge
parts of the course via different methods such as assessment tasks, portfolio of
evidence, work products, observations etc. The skills criteria of your qualification
will be carried out by your assessor within the real work environment. So be
realistic and make sure it's feasible for you to take on this workload. We don't want
you to become overburdened or stressed.
In order to gain full accreditation for the qualification you must achieve the
following:
Level 2 Certificate CYPW you must complete 35 credits
Level 3 Diploma CYPW you must complete 65 credits
Level 3 Diploma SSTL you must complete 44 Credits
Each course has mandatory and optional units that must be completed to make the
necessary credits.

How will I be assessed?
There will be some units that will be assessed within college by a vocationally
qualified assessor. An individual assessor that will be allocated to you will assess
other units. You assessor will be vocationally competent. Assessment will take
place via a range of methods including assessment tasks, direct observations,
reflective journals, portfolio of evidence, work products, professional discussions
etc.

Why is the CACHE level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and
Learning in schools different?
This qualification will provide you with a secure understanding of the knowledge
and skills needed when working with young people and children in school settings.
It is made up of mandatory and optional units which are based on knowledge and
skills which will meet the needs of you and your assessor.
It is suitable for teaching assistants, learning support assistants who need to gain a
qualification to support their experience in the classroom.
Ideally you should be working within Key stage one and upwards.

Who can I ask for help if I need it?
The college will do all it can to help you either personally or with your studies. The
first person you should turn to for help is your tutor. You can also ask Heather
Davies or the administrator, depending on the nature of your query. If you feel you
need extra help with literacy skills we can arrange a screening test and
recommend other courses to help you.

Frequently Asked Questions


FINANCE.


Can I pay the course fees by instalments or post-dated cheques?
Unfortunately not. All fees have to be paid in full before the start of the course.
Your place will only be confirmed once we have received your fees. Remember
you can pay by credit card, cheque or postal order. You can also pay by cash if
you bring it to Highlands in person. You will be sent a receipt once your fees are
paid.


Are there any subsidies for the courses?
Not currently. You have to pay the fees in full.


Can my employer pay?
Yes. Once you have their agreement, they need to sign the back of the application
form to authorise the payment. If your employer funds your studies they are
entitled to receive tutor reports about your progress. These are usually sent out
once or twice a year and you will be sent a copy.
If you are sharing the cost with your employer, your employer must pay it all in full
and claim you share from you directly. Unfortunately Highlands are unable to
accept payment part payments for course fees.

How do I qualify for the reduced fees?
For the reduced fee you must have an assessor within your nursery, who is willing
to assess you.


Can I get a refund if I can no longer attend a course?
Unfortunately, we only offer a refund if your course has been cancelled by
Highlands College. Circumstances such as work commitments or leaving the
island are not considered for refunds. Childcare courses require a considerable
financial and time commitment from you so we ask applicants to consider their
existing commitments carefully before they take on a the courses.


Can I give my place to a friend?
Unfortunately places are non-transferable. The counselling courses are very
popular and we have waiting lists so it is only fair that we offer the places to the
next applicant in line.

Frequently Asked Questions


PRACTICAL MATTERS..

What if Im ill or cant come for some reason?
If you are not going to be at a session you need to contact the course administrator
(details above) not the tutor. All absences are recorded.


What if a class is cancelled?
If a tutor has to cancel a class (e.g. due to illness) you will be contacted by
telephone. For this reason, its important to let us know if you change address or
phone number during the course. The course dates will follow Highlands College
and Jersey schools academic terms as closely as possible. This means there may
be half term, Bank holiday or other breaks during your course.


What is the dress code for the course?
There is no set dress code but if you are working with clients on the advanced
courses you will need to dress in an appropriate manner for the profession.


What do I need to know about Health and Safety?
The college is committed to providing a healthy and safe environment for everyone
who uses its facilities. We have a Health and Safety officer but as you will be here
in the evenings please report any potential hazards to your tutor as soon as
possible.


What do I do if theres a fire?
If a fire alarm sounds your tutor will ask you to leave the building and meet at a fire
point (usually on the grass area behind the car park). They have to take a register
to confirm everyone evacuated safely so please dont leave the campus until you
have given them your name. Never return to a suspect building even for your
possessions.


Refreshments
The College canteen in the Nightingale building is open until 7pm on weekday
evenings. There is a water machine in the Care and Health temporary block and
vending machines in the Media Centre opposite.

Confidentiality
The college is committed to ensuring the confidentiality all concerned. We ask all
learners to respect this confidentiality and that discussions that take place within
the college classroom remain so. We encourage the classroom to be a safe haven
for sharing thoughts with confidence.



YOUR VIEWS..

Class Representative
Every year we encourage two learners to become group representatives that can
be the voice of the whole group. We invite candidates on all our courses to elect a
student representative for the group if they wish to ensure lines of communication
are open.

Your feedback about the courses is vital to the tutors and the College so that we
can improve what were doing and answer any queries you might have.

Additionally if you have a concern please ask your tutor in the first instance if there
is an issue you want to discuss. Alternatively you can contact the Curriculum
Manager for Childhood Studies, Heather Davies, or the Head of Faculty, Gill
Oakes. There is a formal complaints procedure, which is available from the course
administrator if you need it.

We will ask you to complete formal evaluation forms mid way through each year
and at the end of your course. You will receive these by post and send them back
in confidence to the Head of Faculty rather than the tutor.


CONTACTS

The teaching team:


Heather Davies Tel 608575 heather.davies@highlands.ac.uk

Micki Swift Tel 608597 micki.swift@highlands.ac.uk

Dawn Hodgson Tel 608731 dawn.hodgson@highlands.ac.uk

Amy Edgar Tel 608660 amy.edgar@highlands.ac.uk

Siobhan Lynch Tel 608536 siobhan.lynch@highlands.ac.uk

Lorna Morgan Tel 608728 lorna.morgan@highlands.ac.uk




Other important contacts:
Gill Oakes - Head of Faculty of Community Studies
Tel: 608584 email gillian.oakes@highlands.ac.uk

Oonagh Butler Course administrator (weekdays 8.30-2.30)
Tel: 608568 email oonagh.butler@highlands.ac.uk