Early Years Professional Leadership for England

About this Course:

The Higher National in Healthcare Professions’ Support (for England) is designed to meet the growing need for skilled support professionals in healthcare. Providing an enhanced, work-related curriculum at Levels 4 and 5 that prepares learners with the technical knowledge and competencies required in healthcare settings, as well as a pathway to further study. Overall, the program emphasizes practical care skills, evidence-based practice, and integration of health and social care knowledge to support roles such as Assistant Practitioners or other healthcare support positions.

Modules

HNC
Core Units:

• Law

• Policy and Ethical Practice

• Demonstrating Professional Principles

• Values in Health and Social Care Practice (a 30-credit unit involving practical placement work)

• Supporting the Individual Journey through Integrated Health & Social Care

• Fundamentals of Evidence-Based Practice

• Principles of Health Education

• Effective Healthcare Practice Using Maths

• Applied Anatomy and Physiology

HND
Core Units

• Investigating Childhood: Action Research for Early Childhood Practitioners

• Improving Quality in Early Education and Care Environments

• Managing and Leading People in Children’s Early Education and Care Environments

• Managing Children’s Early Education and Care Environments

• Mentoring and Supervision in Early Education and Care Practice

Optional Units

• Current and Emerging Pedagogies in Early Childhood Education and Care

• Child-Centred Practice with Families and Communities

• Supporting Social Work in Child and Family contexts

• Impact of Curriculum on Early Childhood Education

• Trauma in Childhood

• Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Practice

• Outdoor Play and Learning

• Comparative Education Systems

Work Placement

• Students must complete at least 225 hours of work placement in appropriate healthcare settings as part of their training. This practical experience is integrated into the curriculum and is essential for developing hands-on skills.

Entry Requirements

• GCSE English and Maths at C/4 or above

• Level 3 qualification (such as BTEC Nationals in Early Years or Childcare or A-Levels in related subjects) or possess equivalent industry experience to ensure they can successfully engage with the coursework.

• International or non-native English speakers should have an appropriate English proficiency since the qualification is taught and assessed in English

• Suitable work-placement in the relevant setting

• Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (or equivalent background checks)

Core Units:
The HNC consists of seven mandatory units (120 credits total) covering fundamental knowledge and skills for health and care.

Law
Policy and Ethical Practice
Demonstrating Professional Principles
Values in Health and Social Care Practice (a 30-credit unit involving practical placement work)
Supporting the Individual Journey through Integrated Health & Social Care
Fundamentals of Evidence-Based Practice
Principles of Health Education
Effective Healthcare Practice Using Maths
Applied Anatomy and Physiology

Work Placement
As part of the Level 4 requirement, students must complete 375 hours of work placement in early years settings during the HNC year. This placement must span multiple age groups (covering infants, toddlers, and young children up to 7 years) to ensure breadth of experience.

Assessment in the Healthcare Professions’ Support HNs is heavily focused on practical application of knowledge. Students are assessed through a combination of written assignments, projects, and observations in the workplace.

A critical component is the Practice Learning, Assessment and Development (PLAD) portfolio: for the large practice-based units, students must demonstrate skills and competencies during their work placements, which are assessed by both workplace supervisors and academic tutors

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS