PDA Childhood Practice (Level 9) (Online)

Location: Cardonald Campus
SCQF Level: 9
Start Date: 28 Aug 2023
Qualification Type: PDA
Course Type: Part-Time
Duration: 2 Years (August to June)

Applications open January 2024

This course is designed to support and develop your knowledge and skills in leadership and management for working in a Childhood Practice setting such as, a childcare or playwork setting, family support or youthwork services, with children and young people. You will be able to lead and support the provision of high quality and flexible services that will give children and young people the best possible start in life and demonstrate leadership and vision to contribute to the development of the profession.

This qualification meets the Benchmark Standards for Childhood Practice and registration with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) as a Lead Practitioner or Manager.

What will I learn?

The complete PDA Childhood Practice: Leadership and Management is worth 360 SCQF credits at level 7, 8 and 9 and is an alternative route to the degree level Childhood Practice award.

Course content

Developing services for children and young people
Participatory partnerships: Working with families
Children’s rights: Equality, diversity and inclusion
Childhood practice: Leadership and management and workplace practice

Plus three mandatory optional units from the following areas:

Developing a rights-based approach to service delivery
Development of children (Pre-birth to three)
Early learning
Playwork
Family support
Active leisure
Leading professional development

The course is delivered as a part-time online evening class over two academic years. You will be expected to attend an online tutorial one evening each week at 7pm with asynchronous learning, such as further research and learning opportunities available via the College virtual learning environment, Canvas.

Entry requirements (minimum)

Please note that this course will be delivered via a blended learning approach through remote online tutorials and digital learning approaches. If you require any support in learning digitally, please inform the Course Leader or Student Support team

Entry to the PDA in Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 9 is through Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience (RPLE)
You should already have qualifications in the sector that allow registration by the SSSC as a Practitioner at SCQF Level 7 and have relevant qualifications at SCQF Level 8.
To undertake this PDA you must meet the entry requirements of 240 credits at SCQF Levels 7 and 8.

Entry requirement equivalency table

If you do not meet the entry criteria for your chosen course, you may be offered an alternative course in the same subject area, for example the PDA Plus Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 8.

Employer and industry links

The focus of the PDA in Childhood Practice: Leadership and Management is on leading learning and on supporting the development of workers in the sector. The qualification enables you to demonstrate that you have the professional knowledge, skills and values required of managers/lead practitioners in the childhood practice services.

The work-based learning and assessment require clear and robust arrangements for co-operation between the workplace, the learner, their mentor and the College

Jobs and further study

This qualification will allow you to work as a Lead Practitioner or Manager and meet the requirements of the Benchmark Standards for Childhood Practice and registration with the SSSC as Lead Practitioner/Manager.

The PDA Childhood Practice at SCQF Level 9 may provide evidence or underpinning of knowledge for further leadership and management qualifications.

Making an application

For courses starting in August, you can make up to two applications.

Applications are made to a course and a first choice of campus. If the course is oversubscribed at your first choice you will be automatically considered for alternative sites and may be made an offer without a further application.

I've applied — what happens next?

When you apply

You will receive an automated email confirming that we have received your application and will be in contact as per the following stages:

Selection will be by assessment of qualifications and interview
If you meet the entry requirements you will be invited for interview

The process will consist of an online interview with a member of the lecturing team. You will be required to submit evidence of qualifications and an academic reference to interview. During the interview, you will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the course and the college.

Interviews will take place from late April.

Selection outcomes are based upon careful consideration of interview performance, qualifications and/or relevant work experience. One of three selection outcomes will be made for you and will be sent by email within 14 working days of the interview.

The selection outcomes are ‘unconditional offer’; ‘conditional offer’, or ‘unsuccessful’. Any conditions to your offer will be clearly outlined in this email.

Once an offer is received, you must reply within 14 working days or risk losing your place.

Once you have accepted your offer, you will be sent further information relating to student funding in June with joining instructions and induction information in mid-July.

You must accept your offer as soon as possible in order to secure your place.

If you are made a conditional offer, you must provide the required evidence (qualifications, references or other details) as soon as it is available or risk losing your place.

For up to date information on the fees and costs for this course, please use the Course Enquiry button or Course Contact.

You may be eligible to apply for a part-time fee grant from Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for the courses at SCQF Level 7, 8 and 9. For more information, contact SAAS.