Course Overview
As a practitioner, you will be working with children, young people and families, including carers, to achieve positive and sustainable change in their lives. You could be working in a number of settings e.g., a children’s home, a residential special school or a secure children’s home. The children might be living on their own or in a larger group. You will take the lead in developing and delivering the child’s placement plan and will work with the child to support their health, education, social and day to day needs, playing a significant role in helping them to thrive and fulfil their potential.
What will I learn?
You will learn a range of core knowledge, skills and behaviours including:
- The legislation and compliance requirements for residential care
- The aspirations for a child in residential care
- Group living and group dynamics
- Legislation and the Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs and Disability
- Assumes the role of professional parent
- Contributes to creating and reviewing placement plans based on individual need
- Is able to support traumatised children and young people to live together and make progress
- The ethos of the home and how to create and promote it
- Team dynamics and collaborative approach in residential environment
- Develops and promotes the ethos of the home
- Models collaborative team working and the ability to support and appropriately challenge each other
Study, Assessment and Qualifications
Delivered in the workplace and/or remotely, with a visit from your tutor every 6-8 weeks. There is no WCUC attendance for this apprenticeship.
As part of the apprenticeship programme, you’ll need to record a minimum of 6 hours per week ‘off-the-job’ training time. This can include work shadowing, training, workshops, online learning, tutor sessions, revision, webinars, industry visits – anything that supports your learning on the apprenticeship and supported by your dedicated assessor.
This programme is assessed by an observation of practice and competence interview supported by a work-based evidence portfolio.
On successful completion of the Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Level 4 Apprenticeship you will hold the qualification of the Apprenticeship Standard plus Level 3 Diploma in Residential Care.
Entry Requirements
You should have maths & English L2 or minimum of grades 4 (C). If you do not hold maths & English L2 or grades 4 (C), you will need to complete these prior to Gateway.
You must have secured a position with an employer and be ready to start working with them before you can begin your apprenticeship course.
If you already have an employer and they have agreed to put you through an apprenticeship, contact the Apprenticeship team and we'll get you started. Email apprenticeships@wiltshire.ac.uk or call 0845 345 2235.
Additional Costs and Information
This apprenticeship lasts 18 to 24 months plus 3 months for the End Point Assessment (EPA) and can begin as and when needed.
What Could I Do Next?
You could progress to the Level 5 Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Apprenticeship.
