Learning Support qualifications and training courses

Last Updated: 12 Apr 2024

The Learning Support qualifications support the professionalisation of the learning support workforce. This qualification suite is underpinned by the National Occupational Standards for Learning Support staff.
All the Certificate qualifications contain three common mandatory units which include the essential knowledge, understanding and professional practice required of all practitioners. They are contextualised for each specialism.

There is also a range of optional units available and they provide the opportunity to address the skill needs, specialism and context needed.

These qualifications are aimed at Learning support practitioners and their employers, although there is no national requirement to undertake these qualifications at present. These qualifications are available for employers and individuals who identify accredited opportunities as best meeting their needs.

Available to deliver in the following:

England
Wales – please check QiW website for available funding
Northern Ireland

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form.

General Information

What Is Involved In Studying This Course?

To find all the requirements for assessment and delivery, download the course handbooks from the key documents section.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

Learning support Practitioner
Senior Learning Support Practitioner
Specialist Learning Support roles
First line management (depending on experience).

What Is Involved With Delivering This Course?

Learning support practice may include: Employed practice, voluntary practice and/or placement in a learning support role.

Learning support practice for these qualifications must be within a quality assured environment. Any appropriate location for practice will allow a trainee learning support practitioner to meet the requirement of the standards. There is a requirement to evidence working with individuals and small groups of learners to achieve this qualification.

Level 2

The Level 2 Award for Learning Support Practitioners prepares the learners for supporting learning in a wide range of contexts. This qualification is useful for those wishing to try out the role and for others who have learning support as a small part of their wider work role. The Award also provides an important stepping stone for those in related volunteer roles.

The qualification allows candidates to achieve the award without undertaking a learning support role.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

Candidates may progress to the following qualifications:
Level 3 Award in Preparing to Support Learning
Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Learning
Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Literacy, Language and Numeracy Learning
Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Disabled Learners
Level 3 Certificate in Communication Support for D/deaf learners

Level 2 Award for Learning Support Practitioners (6259-02)

Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2027

Level 2 Award for Learning Support Practitioners

Accreditation No: 600/8001/2 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 6 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 30 - 30 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 60 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/08/2029 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £54.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3

The Level 3 Award for Learning Support Practitioners introduces learners to the principles of learning support, and the Level 3 Certificate for Learning Support Practitioners equips the learner with the necessary skills, knowledge and competence for providing learning support across a range of contexts.

In addition at Level 3, there is a range of specialist qualifications, the Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Literacy, Language and Numeracy Learning, the Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Disabled Learners and the Level 3 Certificate in Communication Support for Deaf learners.

Candidates should be supported in choosing the most appropriate qualification - either for their current role or related to plans for progression.

What Careers Can This Lead To?

Progression opportunities include a career as Learning Support Practitioners, Senior Learning Support Practitioners and other specialist roles.

Candidates may progress to other specialist qualifications:
Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Literacy, Language and Numeracy Learning
Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Disabled Learners
Level 3 Certificate in Communication Support for D/deaf learners
Level 3 and 4 qualifications in Teaching and Training
Level 4 qualifications in Career Coaching and Mentoring

Level 3 Award for Learning Support Practitioners (6259-03)

Last Registration Date: 31 Dec 2023

Level 3 Award for Learning Support Practitioners

Accreditation No: 600/6837/1 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 6 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 30 - 30 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 60 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/12/2026 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £54.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Level 3 Certificate for Learning Support Practitioners (6259-04)

Last Registration Date: 31 Aug 2024 Supportive services: Learning Assistant

Level 3 Certificate for Learning Support Practitioners

Accreditation No: 600/7977/0 This is a reference number related to UK accreditation framework
Type: Credit based qualification This is categorisation to help define qualification attributes e.g. type of assessment
Credits: 30 Credits are a measure of the size of the qualification
Guided Learning Hours: 145 - 155 This is the average contact time a centre would typically commit
Total Qualification Time: 300 The total time for the qualification
Key Stage: Data unavailable This shows the equivalent Key Stage level.
Last Certification: 31/08/2027 This is the last date that a certificate can be issued
Qualification fees in the UK: £108.00 Our typical price is the one that is most often paid by a centre for a completed learner. Some prices are made up of multiple charging points so action like taking difference units or specialisms to complete and resitting assessments may mean the cost for some learners differs.

Additional information for centres

LEARNING ASSISTANT IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS QUALIFICATION

Learning Assistant is an innovative and cost effective e-portfolio solution that allows colleges and training providers to dramatically improve the delivery of their vocational qualifications.

Learn more about Learning Assistant >

Here you can find all documents related to this suite of qualifications.

By clicking on the section headings below, you can access a variety of documents such as the qualification handbooks and assessment materials, Statements of Purpose, and recognition letters from industry and employers.

Some documents may be password protected. Passwords can be retrieved by logging in to Walled Garden and visiting the Administration section of the relevant qualification catalogue page.

Interested in delivering this qualification?

Find out more about how to become an approved City & Guilds centre or fill out our online customer application form.

Learning Support (6259)