PDA Pedagogy of Play SCQF level 8

Professional Development Awards (PDAs) extend or broaden professional or vocational skills and are linked to National Occupational Standards. The PDA in Pedagogy of Play at SCQF level 8 covers the following specialist skills / high-level transferable skills.

The purpose of this qualification is to provide a smooth professional learning journey for those within the childcare and playwork sector, building upon their SCQF level 7 qualifications and enhancing their professional knowledge by developing a deeper understanding of the principles, theories, and practices that underpin effective play pedagogy. They will enhance their skills to support children and young people to create engaging play spaces, support and facilitate play, and choose intervention styles which balance risk and benefits, while allowing children and young people to control and determine their own play.

This qualification is available through colleges, training providers and some employers. It has been designed to be delivered as a taught course and will normally be available as a combination of workshops and self-directed study.

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The PDA in Pedagogy of Play at SCQF level 8 has been developed in partnership with employers and industry so it is suitable for the current sector.

It will help employers meet skills gaps and provide continuing professional development for staff, while learners will gain knowledge and skills needed for progression in the workplace.

It can also be offered to people who are in training and who wish to gain employment in the sector.

The unit-based structure aids timetable flexibility. Units are typically 40 hours of learning and they can be delivered on a full-time or part-time basis.

This PDA provides progression routes to further study (see Progression).

The target audience is those in work, or seeking employment, who require a specific skill set.

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre. Learners would benefit from having attained the skills, knowledge and understanding of supporting and facilitating play for children and young people, in playwork, childhood practice, youth work or education settings.

Learners would benefit from having attained the skills, knowledge and understanding required by one or more of the following or equivalent qualifications and/or experience:

  • a practitioner qualification as required by the SSSC, for example, HNC Childhood Practice / SVQ Social Services (Children and Young People) at SCQF level 7
  • SVQ Playwork at SCQF level 7
  • any other practitioner award recognised by the SSSC
  • qualifications and experience from education settings such as:
    • teaching, pupil support staff or inclusion professionals
    • youth services
    • open-access play provision

The units in the PDA have been mapped against the National Occupational Standards for Childhood Practice.

The PDA in Pedagogy of Play at SCQF level 8 allows learners to achieve 40 SCQF level 8 credits. This may be used towards the 120 SCQF level 8 credits necessary to progress to the PDA in Childhood Practice: Leadership and Management at SCQF level 9.

 

The PDA in Pedagogy of Play at SCQF level 8 may also support articulation by universities who offer the BA in Childhood Practice. The level of articulation is at the discretion of individual universities.

Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority are required to come forward for approval and should contact SQA’s Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA’s general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide.

Each unit specification gives detailed information on the evidence requirements and approaches to assessment for the unit.

Ongoing course assessment will apply.

Each unit is assessed separately.

Assessment will allow candidates to enhance their own practice. The use of reports and projects is crucial to this.

Qualification content and delivery tools

Group award code: GV5V 48 (40 SCQF credit points)

The PDA in Pedagogy of Play at SCQF level 8 consists of 2 mandatory units