Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in
Specialist Support for Teaching and
Learning in Schools (RQF)
Build the knowledge and skills to provide effective specialist support for teaching, learning, and learner development in schools.
Course Type
Ofqual Regulated
Awarding Body
Focus Awards
Duration
6 Months
Study Mode
Online
Assessment
Assignment-based
Course Overview
What is this course
The Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) is an occupational qualification designed for members of the school workforce who provide direct support to teaching and learning. It develops the knowledge, understanding and practical skills required to support pupils effectively alongside teachers and other education professionals.
The qualification is a Level 3 qualification within the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), with Qualification Number (QRN) 601/7672/6. Focus Awards identifies it as a regulated occupational qualification for the direct learning support sector. The RQF provides the framework used for regulated qualifications in England, with Ofqual overseeing regulated qualifications and awarding organisations within its regulatory remit.
Key learning areas include communication and professional relationships, school organisation, supporting learning activities, assessment for learning, positive behaviour, equality and inclusion, safeguarding, child and young person development, and health and safety. The qualification also includes specialist areas such as literacy and numeracy support, bilingual learners, special educational needs, communication and interaction needs, sensory or physical needs, and personal development.
For UK and international learners, this qualification provides structured knowledge of specialist support practices within school environments, with its content particularly relevant to learners seeking to understand teaching and learning support responsibilities in educational settings.
Course Content
Detailed Curriculum Structure
Learners must complete all mandatory units to achieve 32 credits and 12 credits from the optional units.
Mandatory Units
| Unit Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Communication and Professional Relationships with Children, Young People and Adults | 2 |
| Schools as Organisations | 3 |
| Support Learning Activities | 4 |
| Promote Children and Young People’s Positive Behaviour | 3 |
| Develop Professional Relationships with Children, Young People and Adults | 2 |
| Promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Work with Children and Young People | 2 |
| Support Assessment for Learning | 4 |
| Engage in Personal Development in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings | 3 |
| Support Children and Young People’s Health and Safety | 2 |
| Understand Child and Young Person Development | 4 |
| Understand How to Safeguard the Well-being of Children and Young People | 3 |
Optional Units – Group A / B
| Unit Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Plan and Deliver Learning Activities Under the Direction of a Teacher | 4 |
| Support Literacy Development | 3 |
| Support Numeracy Development | 3 |
| Support Teaching and Learning in a Curriculum Area | 3 |
| Support Delivery of the 14–19 Curriculums | 3 |
| Provide Literacy and Numeracy Support | 3 |
| Support Gifted and Talented Learners | 4 |
| Support Children’s Speech, Language and Communication | 4 |
| Support Bilingual Learners | 4 |
| Provide Bilingual Support for Teaching and Learning | 6 |
Optional Units – Group C
| Unit Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Support Disabled Children and Young People and Those with Special Educational Needs | 5 |
| Support Children and Young People with Behaviour, Emotional and Social Development Needs | 4 |
| Support Learners with Cognition and Learning Needs | 4 |
| Support Learners with Communication and Interaction Needs | 4 |
| Support Learners with Sensory and/or Physical Needs | 4 |
| Support Individuals to Meet Personal Care Needs | 2 |
Optional Units – Group D
| Unit Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Work with Other Practitioners to Support Children and Young People | 3 |
| Plan, Allocate and Monitor Work of a Team | 5 |
| Provide Leadership and Direction for Own Area of Responsibility | 5 |
| Set Objectives and Provide Support for Team Members | 5 |
| Support Learning and Development Within Own Area of Responsibility | 5 |
| Team Working | 3 |
Optional Units – Group E
| Unit Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Support Children and Young People During Transitions in Their Lives | 4 |
| Develop Interviewing Skills for Work with Children and Young People | 3 |
| Facilitate the Learning and Development of Children and Young People Through Mentoring | 4 |
| Improving the Attendance of Children and Young People in Statutory Education | 5 |
| Promote the Well-being and Resilience of Children and Young People | 4 |
| Provide Information and Advice to Children and Young People | 3 |
| Support Children and Young People to Achieve Their Education Potential | 4 |
| Support Children and Young People to Make Positive Changes in Their Lives | 4 |
| Support Young People in Relation to Sexual Health and Risk of Pregnancy | 2 |
| Support Young People to Develop, Implement and Review a Plan of Action | 3 |
| Support Young People Who Are Socially Excluded or Excluded from School | 2 |
Optional Units – Group F
| Unit Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Assist in the Administration of Medication | 4 |
| Invigilate Tests and Examinations | 3 |
| Lead an Extra-Curricular Activity | 3 |
| Maintain Learner Records | 3 |
| Monitor and Maintain Curriculum Resources | 3 |
| Organise Travel for Children and Young People | 2 |
| Supervise Children and Young People on Journeys, Visits and Activities Outside of the Setting | 3 |
| Work in Partnership with Parents to Engage Them with Their Children’s Learning and Development in Schools | 6 |
Why Choose the Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF)?
The Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) is designed to develop structured knowledge and practical understanding of specialist support within school settings. It is particularly relevant for learners seeking a recognised qualification focused on supporting teaching, learning, pupil development and inclusive educational practice.
Ready to enrol or need more information? Contact us today to discuss the Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) and your learning options.
Learning Outcomes of Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching andLearning in Schools (RQF)
Unit 1: Communication and Professional Relationships with Children, Young People and Adults
On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Understand the principles of developing positive relationships with children, young people and adults.
- Understand how to communicate effectively with children, young people and adults.
- Understand legislation, policies and procedures relating to confidentiality, information sharing and data protection.
Unit 2: Schools as Organisations
On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Know the structure of education from early years to post-compulsory education.
- Understand how schools are organised in terms of roles and responsibilities.
- Understand school ethos, mission, aims and values.
- Understand legislation affecting schools.
- Understand the purpose of school policies and procedures.
- Understand the wider context in which schools operate.
Unit 3: Support Learning Activities
On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Be able to contribute to planning learning activities.
- Be able to prepare for learning activities.
- Be able to support learning activities.
- Be able to observe and report on learner participation and progress.
- Be able to contribute to the evaluation of learning activities.
- Be able to evaluate own practice in relation to supporting learning activities.
Unit 4: Promote Children and Young People’s Positive Behaviour
On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Understand policies and procedures for promoting positive behaviour.
- Be able to promote positive behaviour.
- Be able to manage inappropriate behaviour.
- Be able to respond to challenging behaviour.
- Be able to contribute to reviews of behaviour and behaviour policies.
Unit 5: Develop Professional Relationships with Children, Young People and Adults
On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Be able to develop professional relationships with children and young people.
- Be able to communicate effectively with children and young people.
- Be able to develop professional relationships with adults.
- Be able to support children and young people in developing relationships.
- Be able to comply with policies and procedures relating to confidentiality, information sharing and data protection.
Unit 6: Promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Work with Children and Young People
On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Be able to promote equality and diversity in work with children and young people.
- Understand the impact of prejudice and discrimination on children and young people.
- Be able to support inclusion and inclusive practices in work with children and young people.
Unit 7: Support Assessment for Learning
On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Understand the purpose and characteristics of assessment for learning.
- Be able to use assessment strategies to promote learning.
- Be able to contribute to assessing learners’ progress.
- Be able to contribute to reviewing assessment for learning.
Unit 8: Engage in Personal Development in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings
On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Understand what is required for competence in own work role.
- Be able to reflect on practice.
- Be able to evaluate own performance.
- Be able to agree a personal development plan.
- Be able to use learning opportunities and reflective practice to contribute to personal development.
Unit 9: Support Children and Young People’s Health and Safety
On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Understand how to plan and provide environments and services that support children and young people’s health and safety.
- Be able to recognise and manage risks to health, safety and security in a work setting or during off-site visits.
- Understand how to respond to accidents, incidents, emergencies and illness.
- Understand how to support children and young people’s health and safety through appropriate policies and procedures.
Unit 10: Understand Child and Young Person Development
On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Understand the expected pattern of development for children and young people from birth to 19 years.
- Understand the factors that influence children and young people’s development and how these affect practice.
- Understand how to monitor children and young people’s development and respond when development does not follow the expected pattern.
- Understand the importance of early intervention in supporting speech, language and communication.
- Understand the potential effects of transitions on children and young people’s development.
Unit 11: Understand How to Safeguard the Well-being of Children and Young People
On successful completion of this unit, the learner will be able to:
- Understand the main legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding children and young people.
- Understand the importance of working in partnership with others to safeguard children and young people.
- Understand the importance of recognising signs of abuse and neglect.
- Understand the actions to take when there are concerns about the safety or well-being of a child or young person.
- Understand the importance of e-safety and protecting children and young people from online risks.
The Focus Awards qualification specification confirms these 11 mandatory units, which together make up the required 44 credits for the Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF).
Who Should Attend
Target Audience and Participants
The Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) is suitable for learners who want to develop professional knowledge and practical understanding of supporting teaching, learning, inclusion and pupil development within school environments.
Career & Learning Benefits
Career Progression and Benefits
The Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools (RQF) develops structured knowledge and practical understanding relevant to supporting teaching, learning, inclusion and learner development in school environments.
Career Benefits
Learning Benefits
Need More Information?
Frequently Asked Questions Explained
Enrollment Criteria
Entry Requirements for Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching andLearning in Schools (RQF)
- Minimum Age: Learners should be aged 16 or above
- Work Experience: No specific previous experience is required.
- Educational Background: No specific prior qualification is required
- Language Proficiency: Suitable English language proficiency is required.
Lock In Your Spot
Get in Touch
+44 2035 764371
+44 7441 396751
info@inspirecollege.co.uk
www.inspirecollege.co.uk
