02 Mar 2021
Key Facts
Qualification purpose
Updating and continuing professional development (CPD)
Qualification Grading Type
Pass
Assessment Methods
Why choose this qualification?
The Level 4 Certificate in Supporting the Learning of Learners with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) qualification recognises the skills developed by experienced learning support professionals such as Higher Level Teaching Assistants and senior Learning Support Assistants who are both working with learners themselves and supporting other staff to provide effective support to learners with special educational needs and disability. It has been developed with the support of organisations supporting the professional development of teachers and learning support staff.
The objective of the qualification is to extend the skills of those involved in providing support to learners with SEND, in order to improve their own practice and help develop that of their colleagues. In order to enter for this qualification, learners must have considerable experience of supporting the learning of learners with SEND and be working in a role where they will be able to put into practice the skills that they are required to evidence for the qualification.
Successful learners may choose to progress to Level 4 education and training qualifications or to higher education. They may also progress to management roles within learning support.
There are no direct relationships between this and other frameworks. However, the skills and knowledge covered are consistent with the requirements of the 2014 SEND Code of Practice.
Rules of Combination
Learners must complete the 7 mandatory units totalling 30 credits.
Units
Learners must complete the 7 mandatory units totalling 30 credits.
Action Research
Coaching Skills
Communication Skills for Professionals Supporting the Learning of those with Special Educational Needs and Disability
Developing the Metacognitive Skills of Learners with Special Educational Needs and Disability
Person Centred Approaches with Learners with Special Educational Needs and Disability
Understanding the Four Broad Areas of Special Educational Need
Using Evidence Based Practice with Learners with Special Educational Needs and Disability
What is the purpose of this qualification?
The learners will benefit from this qualification if the learners are an experienced practitioner already supporting the learning of learners with special educational needs and disability (SEND) and are looking to further develop your knowledge and skills. It is suitable for experienced Higher Level Teaching Assistants in schools and senior Learning Support Assistants in post-16 provision, including those who have some responsibility for developing the skills of other support staff.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification covers the four broad areas of special need and the core skills the learners will need to support the learning of learners with SEND, in a way that is consistent with the SEND Code of Practice, along with the skills required to help other support staff become more effective in their roles. It also contains a unit on action research.
The learners will complete the following seven mandatory units:
• Understanding the four broad areas of special educational need
• Using evidence-based practice with learners with special educational needs and disability
• Communication skills for professionals supporting the learning of learners with special educational needs and disability
• Person-centred approaches with learners with special educational needs and disability
• Developing the meta-cognitive skills of learners with special educational needs and disability
• Coaching skills
• Action research.
Which sector does this qualification support?
The qualification is designed to help you develop within your existing learning support role, extending your skills in providing support to learners with SEND, in order to improve your own practice and help develop that of your colleagues. If you are not already managing other staff, this qualification will support your progression to a management role where you have responsibility for a team of learning support staff.
What are the progression options?
The learners could progress from this qualification to Level 4 education and training qualifications or to higher education.
Progression & entry requirements
The learners need to be aged 19 or over to take this qualification. There are no specific requirements for prior qualifications or levels of attainment but the learners do need to have considerable experience of supporting the learning of learners with SEND and be working in a role where the learner will be able to put into practice the skills that the learners are required to evidence for the qualification.Funding information
There are now two main sources for funding information, a straightforward ESFA Qualification Search and the more detailed Find a Learning Aim website.
The new Find a learning aim (FALA) service provides a search tool that you can use to check the funding status of any qualification, framework, unit, standard or T Level:
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website
The Education and Skills Funding Agency search provides funding information on qualifications. It does not provide funding information for units, non-regulated activity and work placements, for this information please use Find a learning aim (FALA).
View this qualification on the ESFA Qualification Funding Search
How to find a learning aim
If you’re not sure how to use the new find a learning aim website, we’ve created a handy walkthrough to help you:
How to Use: Find a learning Aim
We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.
This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.
The following support materials will help you to deliver this qualification.
Related Qualifications
- Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Award in Supporting Learners with Dyslexia
- Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Award In Supporting Learners with Dyspraxia
- Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Award In Supporting Learners with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Gateway Qualifications Level 3 Award in Supporting Children and Young People with Autism