Social Services: Children and Young People
Foundation Apprenticeship
What's Social Services (Children and Young People) like?
Every child deserves the best start in life so they grow up to be happy, healthy and confident. You can help make sure this happens - and a Foundation Apprenticeship is a great place to start.
You'd look after young children, support them and their families and do fun activities. Typical roles could include:
social worker
nanny
nursery worker
childminder
playworker
In Scotland, over 176,000* people work in social care and there are great opportunities for progression.
*Sector Skills Assessment 2022
You’ll gain a Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services (Children and Young People). That's the same level of learning as an SQA Higher which is SCQF Level 6.
SCQF qualification levels explained
Your qualification includes:
a National Progression Award (NPA) in Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF Level 6
core units of an SVQ in Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF Level 6
a work placement
For your National Progression Award, your topics will be:
Safeguarding of Children and Young People
Play for Children and Young People
Communication with Children and Young People
Development of Children and Young People
Promote the Wellbeing and Safety of Children and Young People
To achieve your SVQ units, you’ll be assessed as part of your work placement. You’ll learn how to:
support effective communication
support the health and safety of yourself and individuals
develop your own knowledge and practice
support the safeguarding of children
Your Foundation Apprenticeship will also help you to develop meta-skills. Employers value these skills, which include:
communication
problem-solving
working with others
time management
You'll need these transferable skills for working in a range of other related jobs.
Your Foundation Apprenticeship gives you lots of options, including:
Modern Apprenticeship: When you complete your Foundation Apprenticeship, you’ll have achieved core units. These let you progress to the higher level Modern Apprenticeship in Social Services (Children and Young People). That gives you a great head start.
further education: Continue your studies at college with an HNC or HND in a social services or healthcare subject. Your workplace experience will support your college application.
university: All Scottish universities recognise Foundation Apprenticeships as equal to SQA Highers. You’ll already have experience in the industry – this will make your UCAS stand out from the crowd. This apprenticeship also provides you with 42 UCAS tariff points. Find out more about points on the UCAS website
straight to a job: Use your qualification and work experience to find a job in the social services and healthcare industry.
Entry requirements
If you're staying on at school, you can apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship.
How does it work?
You'll do the Foundation Apprenticeship alongside your other school subjects. You'll work on projects with an employer and a learning provider, such as a college. It'll give you an industry-recognised qualification that's great for your CV.
Read our brilliant info on the Social Services (Children and Young People) Foundation Apprenticeship to see how it all works!
How long will it take?
You'll do your Foundation Apprenticeship over 1 or 2 years starting in S5 or S6. You'll usually do a work placement of about 1 day a week.
How to apply
If you're staying on at school, you can apply for a Foundation Apprenticeship.
Use the search tool to find out if this subject is available at your school. Then fill out the form that comes next, to let us know you're interested. We'll get back to you with more information.