Course Overview

16-20 weeks. Guided learning hours are 8-10 hours per week dependent upon knowledge of the subject.

This qualification aims to give learners knowledge and understanding to work with individuals with learning disabilities or difficulties. The qualification will explore the principles of safeguarding and positive risk taking and gain awareness of the autistic spectrum.

As part of this course you will study six mandatory units:

UNIT 1 – Understand the context of supporting individuals with learning disabilities

• Section 1 Understand the legislation and policies that support the human rights and inclusion of individuals with learning disabilities
• Section 2 Understand the nature and characteristics of learning disability
• Section 3 Understand the historical context of learning disability
• Section 4 Understand the basic principles and practice of advocacy, empowerment and active participation in relation to supporting individuals with learning disabilities and their families
• Section 5 Understand how views and attitudes impact on the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and their family carers
• Section 6 Know how to promote communication with individuals with learning disabilities

UNIT 2 – Principles of safeguarding and protection in health & social care

• Section 1 Know how to recognise signs of abuse
• Section 2 Know how to respond to suspected or alleged abuse
• Section 3 Understand the national and local context of safe guarding and protection from abuse
• Section 4 Understand ways to reduce the likelihood of abuse
• Section 5 Know how to recognise and report unsafe practices

UNIT 3 – Introduction to personalisation in social care

• Section 1 Understand the meaning of personalisation in social care
• Section 2 Understand systems that support personalisation
• Section 3 Understand how personalisation affects the way support is provided
• Section 4 Understand how to implement personalisation

UNIT 4 – Principles of positive risk taking for individuals with disabilities

• Section 1 Know the importance of risk taking in everyday life for individuals with disabilities
• Section 2 Understand the importance of positive, person centred risk assessment
• Section 3 Know how legislation and policies relate to positive risk taking
• Section 4 Understand how to supporting individuals in decisions about risk taking

UNIT 5 – Introductory awareness of autistic spectrum conditions

• Section 1 Understand the areas in which individuals with an autistic spectrum condition characteristically have difficulties
• Section 2 Understand the concept of autism as a spectrum and its implications for variation in the capacities and needs of individuals
• Section 3 Understand the behaviours exhibited by some individuals with an autistic spectrum condition
• Section 4 Contributing to the person-centred support of an individual who has an autistic spectrum condition
• Section 5 Understand how to contribute to the person-centred support of an individual who has an autistic spectrum condition

UNIT 6 – Principles of supporting individuals with a learning disability to access health care

• Section 1 Understand legislation, policies and guidance relevant to individuals with a learning disability accessing healthcare
• Section 2 Understand the function of different healthcare services that an individual with a learning disability may need to access
• Section 3 Understand the role of professionals within different healthcare services that an individual with a learning disability may need to access
• Section 4 Understand how plans for healthcare and regular health checks underpin long-term health and well being for individual with a learning disability
• Section 5 Understand the Issues that an individual with a learning disability may face when accessing a variety of healthcare services

Assessment Methods

Assessments are due at the end of each unit. Your tutor will assess your work and build up your portfolio of evidence of learning. A certificate will be awarded on satisfactory submission of evidence of learning for the units studied.