PDA Occupational Therapy Support SCQF level 8

The new Professional Development Award (PDA) in Occupational Therapy Support at SCQF level 8 is specifically designed to equip individuals with a range of knowledge, specialist skills and values to enable them to improve professional practice, and provide continuous professional development. It has been designed for employees aspiring to advance their practice or gain employment, as assistant practitioners, senior support workers or paraprofessionals within occupational therapy. It has been planned as a progression route for specified SCQF level 7 awards.

Use the tabs below to open each section individually. Alternatively you can show all the sections.

The PDA in Occupational Therapy Support has been designed for delivery as a taught Course with the Higher National (HN) Units. The award also provides a combination of workplace, directed and independent learning, through reading, research and practice-based learning.

This award will allow occupational therapy to develop in line with the rest of the caring professions by having a recognised career and developmental pathway for individuals working with clients within occupational therapy. It will also accredit learning and provide a qualification which formally embraces personal development in the application of learned theory and specialist skills gained in the work setting.

The PDA is primarily to develop learners within occupational therapy. Eligibility of potential candidates will be at the discretion of the delivering centre, with the proviso that candidates are/can be actively involved in occupational therapy as part of their job role/function and have access to mentorship/supervision of an occupational therapist throughout the Course. It is recommended that candidates will have achieved a current relevant award at SCQF level 7 or equivalent. Failure to meet this requirement will affect the ability of learners to satisfy the full assessment requirements for the PDA.

The Units in the PDA have been mapped against the National Occupational Standards for Health and Social Care. Candidates would have the opportunity of progressing to other PDAs, which could perhaps lead to a full HN qualification in Occupational Therapy or SVQ in Health and Social Care at level 3.

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

Centres without devolved authority require 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.

The PDA takes a portfolio building approach to assessment. This is necessary as the Units provide candidates with the opportunity to demonstrate their learning through practice that will be observed and validated by a qualified occupational therapist.

Group Award code: GF39 48 (32 SCQF credit points)

SCQF level: 8

Structure

The PDA in Occupational Therapy Support is comprised of four pathways. The pathway will depend on entry qualifications:

Pathway 1

Candidates who have achieved an HNC in Health Care, Allied Health Professions, or Care and Administrative Practice.

Unit titles Codes SCQF Level SCQF Credit SCQF Credit Value
Occupational Therapy: Core Concepts and Processes H18H35 8 16 2
Occupational Therapy Support: Audit F3NE34 7 8 1

Either: Protection of Individuals from Possible Harm and Abuse

or:

Understanding and Supporting Behaviour

DH3P34

 

DJ1N34

 7 8 1
Total Credits   8 32 4

Pathway 2

Candidates who have achieved, for example, HNC Social Care, HNC Additional Learning Needs, HE Cert Health/Social Care.

Unit titles Codes SCQF Level SCQF Credit SCQF Credit Value
Occupational Therapy: Core Concepts and Processes H18H35 8 16 2
Anatomy and Physiology for Support Workers H1SS34 7 8 1
Occupational Therapy Support: Audit F3NE34 7 8 1
Total Credits   8 32 4

Pathway 3

Candidates who have achieved an SVQ level 3 in Health/Social Care.

Unit titles Codes SCQF Level SCQF Credit SCQF Credit Value
Occupational Therapy: Core Concepts and Processes H18H35 8 16 2
Anatomy and Physiology for Support Workers H1SS34 7 8 1
Psychology and Sociology in Health Care DR3T34 7 8 1
Total Credits   8 32 4

Pathway 4

Candidates who have achieved the HNC Occupational Therapy Support.

Unit titles Codes SCQF Level SCQF Credit SCQF Credit Value
Occupational Therapy: Core Concepts and Processes H18H35 8 16 2
Protection of Individuals from Harm and Abuse DH3P34 7 8 1
Understanding and Supporting Behaviour DJ1N34 7 8 1
Total Credits   8 32 4