Beej Kaczmarczyk on how centres can support learners’ personal development, behaviour and welfare with Short Online Qualifications

Beej is the Owner of e-Memoir and is an experienced consultant, trainer and manager in the post-16 education and training sector.

The recent inspections of colleges and training providers delivering study programmes to 16-19 year old learners are still emphasising the importance of a holistic approach to the design and delivery of these programmes. They should be personalised, differentiated and customised for each student taking account of their individual start points and expected progression destinations, either to further study, employment or apprenticeships.

Key elements in the programmes are the personal development, behaviour and welfare of the learners, and how their tutorial and enrichment programmes contribute to these. However, the expectation is that all elements of their individual programmes, including their core qualifications, English and maths, and industry placements will also do so.

So centres will need to incorporate aspects of personal development, behaviour and welfare into all of the elements of the learner’s study programme, and at the same time, provide evidence of having done so, in a consistent and meaningful way.

Aspects of provision should promote and support learners’ development in the following ways:  career choices, employability skills, personal health and well-being, self-confidence and resilience, internet and social media awareness, citizenship and British values.

Mapping these aspects to the learner’s core studies is easier in some subjects than others, e.g. health and social care, but nevertheless, the tutorial and enrichment programmes are where a lot of the provision will take place. There is also an expectation from Ofsted and the ESFA that 16-19 year old learners will have access to a programme of group tutorials, one-to-one tutorials and enrichment activities, including online learning, where appropriate.

So it is critical that centres provide their learners with appropriate learning materials that will encourage the learners to develop their awareness and confidence of these aspects of personal development, behaviour and welfare.

One way is for centres to incorporate short online courses into the tutorial and enrichment programme, which not only deliver the learning outcomes, but also enhance the learner experience.

Ascentis can offer centres a range of short online courses, which are interactive and allow learners to proceed at their own pace, and also provide on-demand online assessment leading to qualifications at several levels. These courses are also suitable for adult learners, apprentices and traineeships. They cover issues such as citizenship, British values, Mental Health and Well-being, Social Media awareness.

To find out more about Ascentis Short Online Qualifications visit https://www.ascentis.co.uk/qualifications/soqs or email [email protected]