NCFE Level 1 Entry to Uniformed Public Services

Overview

• 16-18

Details

This course is for young people with few qualifications who are interested in a career in the armed forces or emergency services.

Foundation Learning courses are designed to give you the skills to progress to Level 2. You will learn about public services in the UK and experienced tutors with a service background will provide you with the knowledge and key information to help you work towards a career in the armed forces and emergency services. Visiting speakers from various areas of the uniformed services will give lectures and provide practical training sessions.

Outline of skills and knowledge 

You will study units such as:

• Public service careers
• Improving health and fitness for entry into the uniformed public services
• Personal skills for the public services
• Practical teamwork in the public services.

This will form good foundation knowledge and will help you progress further within your future studies and career path in the public services.

What have students who have taken this course in the past progressed to?

This is a new course at City of Westminster College, but students can progress onto the level 2 Diploma in Public Services and will have developed foundation knowledge of Public Services in preparation for applying to a Uniformed Public Service.

How will I learn?

You will learn in a variety of ways, such as:

• responding appropriately to others and making some extended contributions in familiar formal and informal discussions and exchanges.
• read and understand the purpose and content of straightforward texts that explain, inform and recount information
• interact with and use ICT systems to meet your assignment needs
• store information and use simple searches to find information
• bring together different types of information

How will I be assessed?

Learners will be assessed through a series of structured tasks or assignments that meet unit requirements from three modes of assessment:

• College based assignments, some of which are externally marked
• External testing
• Practical assessment

Equipment and other costs

• You will be expected to pay for a College T Shirts on enrolment as the course requires you to be in uniform. Price TBC on enrolment.
• Outdoor pursuit fees (price TBC).

What qualification do I get on completing this course?

NCFE Level 1

Where have students gone to after completing this course?

NCFE Level 2 Entry to Uniformed Public Services

Is there additional work required by the student?

The course will include opportunities to enhance your study via a trip, visit or residential outdoor activity.

What are the expected employment areas with this course?

Public Services

Awarding Body

Entry Requirements

What qualifications or skills do I need to show I have before I can enrol?

None, but you will have an assessment. There are no medical or health checks for acceptance onto this course, but you should be aware that most uniformed services demand very strict standards in this area.

Expected prior knowledge

If you are not already a member of a local cadet force (such as the police or army, sea or ATC cadets), you will be encouraged to join a cadet programme in a related service in order to enhance your studies.

English level

No level required.

Mathematics level

No level required.

Support

Free Meals in FE

If you are aged between 16 and 18 on 31st August (the year you start your studies) and received free school meals when you were at school, you may be eligible to receive a free meal at College. For more information on free school meals, click here.

Further Education Fees (16-18)

All our Further Education (FE) courses (Entry to Level 3) are free to EU residents who are under 19 years old on the 31st August (the year you start your studies). For a few courses you may be expected to contribute towards the cost of specialist materials and resources. However, depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for financial help from the College’s Learner Support Fund. You should apply for any such financial support as soon as you have been offered a place.

Childcare

Financial support to help with childcare

Care to learn - childcare support for young people aged 16-20

If you are aged under 20 at the beginning of your course, or moving to the 2nd year of a level 3 course, and are caring for your own child you may be entitled to £175.00 maximum per week, per child through Care to Learn. 

Please ensure you register on the Care to Learn website even if you haven’t chosen your childcare provider or the course you want to study.  Once you have registered Care to Learn will confirm financial support in principle.

For further details and help with making an application please visit https://www.gov.uk/care-to-learn or speak to a Student Advisor.

Childcare support for people aged 20+

Financial support towards the cost of nursery, childminder, breakfast clubs and after-school clubs.

If you are aged 20+ when you start a course and need financial support to help with the cost of childcare while you study the college may be able to help.

You will be required to make use of any government NEF or 2+ Funding before requesting any financial support from the college.

It is essential that you speak to a Student Advisor prior to enrolling on a course to discuss your personal circumstances, childcare needs and to find out if there are funds available.

Eligibility for help with childcare costs is based on your personal circumstances.

General eligibility criteria:

• Aged 20 and over
• Considered a home student for fee purposes
• Fully enrolled on a programme of study funded by the Education and Skills Funding Agency  or in receipt of a 19+ Advanced Learning Loan
• Discussed and had confirmation of funding for childcare support before enrolling

Financial eligibility:

 You need to have evidence that you meet general discretionary Learner Support Funds or 19+ Advanced Learning Loan bursary fund criteria:

• on a low income / a dependent of someone who is on a low income or in receipt of a means tested benefit e.g. Income Support / Jobseekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, housing benefit etc.

When looking for childcare please be aware:

• all childcare providers must be OFSTED registered
• any 2+ or 3+ government funding must be used by the student. Only additional hours needed for study will be funded by the College.
• childcare will only be paid for days when you are attending College or a mandatory work placement.
• students on full-time courses will be a priority for childcare funding.
• childcare places will be subject to a contract between College/student/nursery.
• childcare payments are made subject to students reaching 85% attendance on a monthly basis.

All childcare applicants approved for funding will be required to sign our Terms & Conditions and MUST inform the College immediately should they stop attending lessons for any reason.

Email learner.services@cwc.ac.uk to put your name on the childcare waiting list.  You MUST speak to a member of the Student Advice or Learner Services team before you enrol on a course.

Financial Support for 16-18 Year-olds and Continuing Learners aged 19

The Education Funding Authority has allocated money to colleges to support students who are on low incomes or the dependent of parents on a low income, and need support towards their course-related costs or essential living costs or are facing financial difficulty.

For further information click here.

For further information on financial support for Looked after Children, Care Leavers and estranged young people, click here.