Find a course
arc blue

NPA Social Services (Children and Young People) (TUE & THU)

  • Start date:   August 2025
  • Level of Qualification:   Schools - SCQF Level 6
  • Course Type:   Schools Course

NPA Social Services (Children and Young People) (TUE & THU)

Please be aware this course is now full. Future applications will be for reserve list only. Alternatively, you can explore other courses on our website or email choosecollege@west-lothian.ac.uk if you wish to speak to a member of staff.

The NPA in Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF level 6 is a great way to build the skills and knowledge you need to work with children and young people. It’s perfect if you’re interested in careers like early education, childcare, or playwork.

Start date – Aug 2025 

End date – June 2026 

SCQF Level - 6 

Mode - Schools 

Days:  Tuesday & Thursday 
Times: 1pm - 4pm 
Duration: 28 Weeks

This course is a great way to kickstart your career- you’ll learn the skills and knowledge you need while also getting hands-on experience working with children and young people right here at the college.

  • What the course includes

    The NPA in Social Services (Children and Young People) is all about preparing you for a career working with children and young people. You'll build skills like communication, problem-solving, planning, and resource management, while learning about early education, childcare, and playwork. 

    This course combines assessments with real-world experience, giving you the knowledge and practical skills you need to succeed. It’s also a key part of the Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services and helps with the qualifications needed for registration as a support worker with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). 

    This qualification includes topics like play, safeguarding, communication, child development, and promoting the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

Why choose this course

This course is a great starting point for careers in childcare, early education, and social services.

The course combines hands-on practice with learning, preparing you for real-life situations. It supports progression to further study and help you develop valuable skills – you'll enhance your communication, problem-solving, and organisational abilities, all of which are useful in a variety of careers.

Most of all this course is right if you’re aiming to start a career that makes a difference.

If you’re passionate about helping children and young people thrive, this course equips you with the knowledge to begin doing so. 

Entry requirements

  • Three National 5 qualifications, one to be English 
  • In S5 or S6 at school on starting the course 
  • Be interested in learning about this sector 
  • Be capable of working at level 6 (Higher) in S5 and S6 

If English is not your first language, ESOL Level 5 is an entry requirement for this course.

  • Where this course leads

    Completion of the course could provide progression to: 

    • SCQF level 7 courses including HNC in Early Education and Childcare or related area 
    • An SVQ in the Social Services( Children and Young People) sector 
    • An SVQ in Playwork 
    • Employment in the Early Learning and Childcare sector, perhaps as a Early Learning and Childcare Assistant or as a Playwork Assistant

Interview arrangements

We will invite you to take part in a practical task or group discussion and to complete a short-written task.

arc purple
arc white

Take that next step in your career and apply for this course today. If the course is not yet open for applications, feel free to ask any questions by clicking make an enquiry.

Make an enquiry