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Parent support endorsed pathway

The Support Work in Schools (Parent Support) endorsed pathway aims to recognise the skills and knowledge of staff providing support for parents that will help to realise their children’s potential in school. It will also provide knowledge and skills that may be transferable to similar roles in related contexts.

The qualification is available at level 3 certificate and diploma. The certificate requires candidates to take four units in all. Both units from Group A must be taken plus the unit from Group B. A further unit must be taken from Group C. It is therefore not possible to take both units from Group C.

The diploma requires candidates to take six units in all. Both units from Group A must be taken plus the unit from Group B. Candidates must take a further three optional units, at least one of which must be taken from Group C. It is possible to take both units from Group C, in which case, one further unit must be taken from Group D.

Details of units:

A - Mandatory units

  • Understand and respond to the needs of children and young people
  • Support the ethos, policies and working practices of the school

B - Endorsed unit (also mandatory)

  • Build and maintain relationships in work with parents

C - Option units

  • Build and maintain relationships with the wider community
  • Provide services that meet parents' needs

D - Option units for the Diploma

  • Develop productive working relationships with colleagues
  • Reflect on and develop own practice
  • Liaise effectively with parents
  • Manage personal case load
  • Assist clients to gain access to other services
  • Enable parents to develop ways of handling relationships and behaviour that contribute to everyday life with children
  • Work with parents to understand and meet their own needs
  • Contribute to improving attendance
  • Provide leadership for your team
  • Provide leadership in your area of responsibility
  • Provide learning opportunities for colleagues
  • Support competence achieved in the workplace

For more information, visit the parent support adviser pages or e-mail: swis@tda.gov.uk