Learning and Qualifications Services
Level 4
Higher Professional Diploma in learning disability services
The Higher Professional Diploma enables learners to explore a range of key areas for those working, or planning to work, in senior roles within learning disability services. It is designed for practitioners in a range of settings including supported living, residential care, respite care, day services and allied roles such as advocacy services.
The Higher Professional Diploma can be used in several ways:
- for personal development, improving knowledge and understanding about particular aspects of the job role;
- to gain a qualification at a higher level in the specialist area of learning disability support;
- for career progression, preparing to move into new roles. For example, a senior worker who is looking for a role as manager may work towards the HPD while in the post of supervisor of senior support worker or while in an ‘acting up’ capacity;
- to support the achievement of S/NVQs including qualifications which meet the statutory requirements (e.g. Registered Manager’s Award);
- to promote access to other career qualifications. Each unit within the HPD is equivalent to 10 CATS points at HE level 1. This means that the full HPD is equivalent to the first year of a foundation or honours degree (120 CATS points);
- to move into higher education – the full HPD award is equivalent to 120 Higher Education CATS points at Year 1.
In order to achieve the full Award candidates must complete 12 units.
There are 2 pathways to achieving the award:
- Managing learning disability services
- Senior Practitioner in learning disability services
Each pathway has a different combination of mandatory and optional units.
For more information on the pathways and titles of all units visit www.ldq.org.uk.
BILD services to support the Higher Professional Diploma
BILD offers individuals the opportunity to gain qualifications in selected units from the Higher Professional Diploma. Learners can select units they wish to study based on their personal development needs or the requirements of their organisation. Each level 4 unit requires about 100 notional hours of study, which includes the completion of a 2500 word assignment. Depending on the unit selected, the assignments are generally split into two or three smaller pieces of work, which may include a case study or a critical analysis.
BILD is currently offering units from Level 4 Higher Professional Diploma as in-house training and assessment packages and flexible learning units.
For further information and to discuss your requirements telephone the LQS team on 01562 723025or email qualifications@bild.org.uk.
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