What will I learn?
Course Outcomes:

Child and Young Person Development: Understand the stages of development from birth to 19 years and how to support pupils' transitions.

Supporting Learning Activities: Gain the skills to help prepare the learning environment and support the delivery of lessons alongside the teacher.

Safeguarding and Welfare: Learn the professional procedures for protecting children and young people, including health, safety, and online security.

Equality and Inclusion: Understand how to support diversity and ensure all pupils have equal access to learning opportunities.

Professional Relationships: Develop effective communication skills for working with pupils, colleagues, parents, and external professionals.

Positive Behaviour Support: Learn strategies to promote positive behaviour and manage classroom challenges effectively.

What will I need to take part?
Learners will need a notepad, pen, and a large ring-binder folder for their portfolio. To complete this Level 2 qualification successfully, regular access to a laptop or tablet and a stable internet connection is essential for research and submitting work through Google Classroom. Because this course requires practical evidence, learners should ideally be volunteering or working in a school or college setting (Primary, Secondary, or Special Schools) for at least one day per week.

What to expect
Delivery Model: A 24-week hybrid programme. This includes one face-to-face session per week (3 hours) focussed on classroom theory and practical workshops. This is supplemented by independent research and the development of a professional portfolio via Google Classroom.

Methodology: A mix of tutor-led instruction, group discussions, and workplace-based evidence. Learners are encouraged to apply their knowledge within a school or college setting.

Sequencing: The course is sequenced to start with "Core Principles" (Safeguarding, Health and Safety, and Legislation) before moving into "Classroom Practice" (Supporting Literacy/Numeracy and Behaviour Management) and "Child Development."

Assessment: This is a portfolio-based qualification. You will be assessed through written assignments, professional discussions, and observations of your practice in a learning environment. There are no formal examinations.

Where can it lead to?
Progression: Upon successful completion, you can progress onto our Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning or move into specialised Level 3 apprenticeships in the education sector.

Employment: This certificate qualifies you for roles such as Teaching Assistant (TA), Learning Support Assistant (LSA), or Special Educational Needs (SEN) Assistant in schools and colleges across the county.

Achievement: You will earn a nationally recognised NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate, which serves as a professional standard for support staff in the UK education system.

Course eligibility and fees
This adult learning course may be fully funded or co-funded through the Adult Skills Fund.

To be considered for funding, you will usually need to be:

- aged 19 or over on 31st August in the funding year

- resident in England, outside a devolved adult skills funding area.

- ordinarily resident in the UK on the first day of learning.

- Able to provide evidence of your identity, residency, prior qualifications and where relevant, benefits or income.

If you are unemployed, receive benefits such as Jobseeker's Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Universal Credit or other state benefits, or if you are working and earn below £26,800 per year you may qualify for full funding.

If you are fully funded, your course will be free. If you are co-funded, you will need to pay a partial 50% course fee. If you are not eligible for public funding, including some international students or people not ordinarily resident in the UK, you will need to pay the full course fee.

Asylum seekers may be eligible for funding in some circumstances, including where they have lived in the UK for 6 months or longer while their claim is being considered, or where they receive certain types of local authority support. We will check this with you at enrolment.

If you are co-funded or not eligible for public funding, your first exam attempt will be included in the course fee. Any subsequent resits will incur an additional fee, which must be paid before the exam is booked.

These requirements are not exhaustive, and other conditions may apply for more information or to see whether you may qualify contact Adult Learning Northants or fill out our Online Eligibility Checker tool to see whether you might qualify - https://forms.office.com/e/Wv2Mb9nSz6

Funding is subject to eligibility checks and course availability.