HNC Learning Cafes
Learning Cafes are online sessions focused on continuing your professional and personal growth whether you are in the office, working remotely or just at home, or in good weather in the garden. Since they are on-line the participants can be anywhere in the country, in Europe or in fact in the world.
Each café discussion features an HNC unit, guidance from an experienced moderator, an engaging activity or reading, and time for discussion and sharing or renewing your connection with the wider group. Everyone gets the workbook for the unit several days before the café meeting with a view to reading it or at least scanning the materials and coming up with questions and issues to raise when we meet.
As adults we learn from doing and reflecting not from being told something. Practitioners working for many care organisations come to the HNC in Social Services with lots of practice and the HNC is about why we do the things we do. Its all about what the care sector has learned over many decades.
This learning café approach is about discussion -for which you should come along prepared. The HNC is about linking what you do with the theories, policies and legislation that support or drive the things you do at work. That’s what we mean when we say the HNC is about putting labels on things you already know.
So come along, bring a coffee, or a tea. Come and enjoy the discussions, enjoy the learning and help your colleagues with theirs.
Stay safe and Have Fun.
More info
Simplicity assessments are now offering HNC in Social Services to small groups of staff in a holistic way.
Our HNC delivery consists of 5 integrated assignments plus the graded assignment (much less than is being requested in most colleges). Candidates may attend 6 virtual workshops/ learning cafes (generally 1 day per month) and one-one support, enabling the candidate to complete the HNC in less than a year. The rest of the work is done in the candidate's own time.
Candidates will generally have completed their SVQ3 in Health and Social Care or move on to complete their SVQ 3 using the materials from their HNC as a starter.
The model of delivery significantly reduces outlays on staff release and replacement costs in comparison to attendance at college. It also significantly reduces stress to staff as we can be flexible in setting deadlines for submissions etc.
Why deliver the HNC this way?
- People can find it difficult to meet the demands of college, home and work
- At college students are required to submit separate assignments for each unit
- College assignments deadlines often clash with busy times at work
- Unit managers and supervisors often struggle to provide adequate support without knowing what is required of them.
- Cover costs for day release are very expensive. In 2004 the Scottish Social Services Council reported that staff replacement costs are likely to be between £2k and £3k.
The Benefits
- Flexible delivery, work at a pace that is comfortable for the candidate
- It is firmly rooted in practice and presented in terms of workplace systems, service users, policies and procedures
- Is a more relevant model of delivery for more experienced staff
- For staff who are concerned about their academic ability, the HNC builds on their practice, there are fewer but more challenging assignments, in preparation for the graded unit
- Creates a better understanding of Workplace practices, policies and procedures.
- Tracks to SVQ underpinning knowledge
- Average completion time is 9 months
- it is Covid secure
The Programme
1. Induction and exercise on safeguarding
2. Leadership starts with me
3. Care in Contemporary Society
4. Lifespan Development Theory
5. Care principles
6. Understanding and Supporting Behaviour
7. Promoting Positive Behaviour
8. Graded Unit
Assessment
- Workbooks/ research/ study completed in the candidate's own time and discussed in workshops
- Candidates have open access to tutor support at all times, by telephone, email, etc.
- Assessment remediation is clearly explained on an individual basis.
Funding
For information on financial support with funding for the HNC award contact Jacqui at jacqui@simplicitysvqs.co.uk or tel. 07746 634692
or see Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS)