How is the qualification delivered?

The qualification is delivered twice a year, with a cohort starting in the Spring (1st February) and the Autumn (1st October). The course duration is six months.

The qualification will take approximately 60 hours of study to complete. This will include guided and non-guided study hours, where participants will engage with the course materials and complete learning activities and complete assessment tasks.

The course materials can be accessed by laptop/tablet/phone. The course materials are available to access on the Learning Platform. Logins will be issued prior to the start date.

The qualification can be accessed via the Group 152 pathway or via a *blended pathway if there is a partnership in the local area.

*To check which pathway is available in the local area, click to register and choose the local area from the drop-down menu.

What support do participants receive on the Group 152 and blended pathways?

On the Group 152 pathway, participants will have access to:

• 7 podcasts linked to the course themes outlined in the course content below

• 6 x 1-hour facilitated group study sessions linked to the themes outlined in the course content below, delivered via our virtual classroom. These will include opportunities to network with other SENCOs, discussions and practical activities that support the assessment tasks and Q&A sessions (dates are listed in the purple box below and attendance is optional)

• Assessment task feedback from a Learning Outcome Assessor, who is assigned to work with participants on strengthening the evidence submitted. Learning Outcome Assessors will correspond with participants via the Learning Platform

• Email correspondence with the Eastern Partnership UK (SEND) Team (available during working hours)

*To find out about the support available on the blended pathway in the local area, click to register and choose the local area from the drop-down menu.

What is covered in the course content?

Several themes are explored in the course content.

These are:

• Theme 1: The roles and responsibilities of different professionals, working in schools and settings and beyond, to support children and young people with SEMH needs, including the participant’s role and how this contributes to the effectiveness of support.

• Theme 2: Typical social and emotional development and an understanding of the factors that may increase a child or young person’s risk of developing SEMH needs.

• Theme 3: The impact of SEMH needs on learning and other areas of development.

• Theme 4: Identification of SEMH needs.

• Theme 5: Strategies for supporting children and young people with SEMH needs.

• Theme 6: Techniques to engage children and young people with SEMH needs in the support process and provide opportunities for them to develop the necessary skills to do so

• Theme 7: Developing expertise

How is the qualification assessed?

Participants will complete assessment tasks.

A Learning Outcome Assessor will be allocated to each participant. Their role is to provide feedback on the participant’s submissions to help them to gain the knowledge and practical skills required and to strengthen the evidence provided. Learning Outcome Assessors will correspond with participants via the Learning Platform.

Once assessment tasks are complete, the work will go through the Eastern Partnership UK (SEND)’s quality assurance process to check that the evidence meets the required standards.

What are the benefits for participants and for their school or setting?

Successful completion of the qualification will:

• Increase capacity of staff to better support children and young people with SEMH needs in the school or setting

• Impact positively on practice and outcomes for children and young people with SEMH needs

• Improve independent learning behaviours and self-regulation of children and young people with SEMH needs

• Improve the engagement of children and young people with SEMH needs in the support process

What are the entry requirements?

The course is open to those who are:

• Working in a teaching or support role in a school or setting across any phase: early years, primary, secondary, or post-16

• Keen to build a portfolio of Level 4 SEND related qualifications

• Interested in social and emotional development and mental health needs or in supporting children and young people with SEMH needs

What is the cost of the qualification?

The cost of the Group 152 pathway is £275+VAT

*To find out the cost of the blended pathway in the local area, click to register and choose the local area from the drop-down menu.