DURATION: 160 HOURS
FORMAT: PAPER
LEVEL: 2
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This programme has been written for everyone who would benefit from understanding Asperger Syndrome (and autism) and the effects it can have on sufferers of this condition and their relatives. This may also include anyone else who may come into contact with people with this condition within their working environment.
Asperger syndrome is a condition that affects how an individual can interpret the world around them, the processing of sensory information and how they relate to, and get along with, other people. Aspergers is generally recognised as being a milder form of autism and it is important that the full autistic spectrum is considered when learning about this condition.
MODULES
- An Introduction to Asperger Syndrome
- Asperger’s in education
- Asperger’s and health
- Asperger’s and employment
- Asperger’s and the public sector/front line staff
- A vision for the future
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE
No previous knowledge is required for this course.
SUPPORT
Students can expect to receive a course manual and a study guide, which will prove useful when it comes to the assessment process. Learners will be assigned a personal tutor who will be on hand to answer any questions you may have, throughout the duration of the course. You will also have access to our student help team who will be available to provide you with any other advice your may require. You can feel confident that all the necessary support is available so there is no need to feel isolated during your studies.
ASSESSMENT
Students will be required to complete a number of assignments. Your personal tutor will review, mark and provide you with feedback on your work. You will also need to complete a short multiple choice examination.
AWARDING BODY INFORMATION
Click here for a full list of awarding bodies.
This course is now available for pre-order, please e-mail [email protected] or call 0800 970 2522 for more information.
Ever watched an episode of CSI and thought “i’d love to know more about how they do this”, well NCC’s latest featured course is perfect. The simple definition of Forensic Science is “the application of science to the law”. The course uses this definition as a foundation to explore the important details of forensic science in it’s theoretical and practical applications.
If you have an interest in CSO or even currently work in a criminal related field and want to expand your knowledge, this course is perfect for you.
The theory and practical implementation of theory are incredibly important for a forensic science learner and this course tackles both aspects. Developing your knowledge of previous crimes as examples, the course will direct you through the modern crime scene and the tools available for assessing a crime scene. This role can be hugely varied and can involve anything from analysis of drug abusers to identifying flammable liquids used in arson attacks.
Forensic scientists can appear for either side – prosecution or defence. This makes for an interesting role that varies considerably from day to day. Some of the modules included in the course are, Ballistics, Fingerprints, Computer Crime and Forensic Photography. A vast array of skills are gained from completing this 21 module distance learning course.
To take the plunge get the Forensic Science Diploma now from the incredible price of just £272, which includes 12 month tutor support and final certification.
Summer is on it’s way and to celebrate our favourite season, NCC will be giving away a £50 Love2Shop Voucher! Whether at home or abroad this summer, there is plenty of stunning scenery to stimulate your creative juices.
Many of you may admit a mild obsession with social media and sharing your photo’s, having a now near unbreakable affinity with the photo sharing giants such as Twitter. Why not expand your interest by entering the NCC photo sharing competition.
All you have to do to enter is upload your best summer photo’s using the hashtag #NCCPHOTO. We will be judging your efforts using good practice techniques from NCC’s very own Digital Photography Diploma. The opportunities are endless, whether you’re relaxing on a beach in the Bahamas or enjoying fish and chips on the seafront at a British seaside town there is the ability to take the perfect picture that sums up what summer means to you.
Remember, just use #NCCPHOTO when uploading any pictures to twitter and you will automatically be entered into the competition to win £50 Love2Shop Vouchers.
*Ends 30/06/2014
Celebrate Adult Learners Week between 14 – 20 June 2014!
It goes without saying that NCC Home Learning are huge advocates of lifelong learning. We celebrate the ambition and dedication required to become a lifelong learner. It is the case for many that acquiring new skills and interests through education is left behind when finishing formal education, this is simply not the case. You have the opportunity to gain a number of skills or interests through engaging in Adult Learning.
NCC offer such a wide range of courses there are options for career changes, skills building and just generally learning more about a subject you find interesting. Examples are:
Career Courses
– Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Level 3 QCF
– Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce QCF
Skill Building
– Equality and Diversity Certificate QCF
– Effective Personal Development
Interest Courses
– Genealogy Diploma
– Criminology Diploma
Adult Learners Week have put together a comprehensive list of events that will be taking place across the country that you can get involved with. Take this opportunity to go along to local events to interact with other lifelong learners and understand the positives they have taken from their experience.
It is never too late to become part of the lifelong learning community and there are opportunities around every corner. The Festival of Learning is well under way, and will be continuing throughout June.
If you would like to kick start your learning journey, we would like to give you a helping hand. Input the discount code ALW5 at the checkout and receive 5% off any home learning course!
Our charity fundraising mission gets off to a flying start as the NCC team go sports crazy for a good cause.
Last week we released details of NCC’s plan to support local charity, Steve Prescott Foundation and the guys now have the ball rolling with their great get together generosity.
For one day only the office staged a sports spectacular as everyone dressed in wacky sport gear and competed in sport related activities to help drum up funds for a worthy cause.
In a day that involved sports themed quizzes, rugby league score predictions, office crazy golf, 5 a side football and lots of prizes of course, we managed to raise £76 to kick start our target goal of £500.
Will our efforts have a knock on effect as we try to raise money for Steve Prescott? Here’s how the day played out…
To kick things off we all put our knowledge on the line and hands in pockets to test ourselves in the ultimate sports quiz. Offering questions ‘a question of sport’ would be proud of, it’s safe to say some of us were stumped.
Prizes were up for grabs for the winning teams. With booby prized mixed amongst the others, the winners had to overcome this final hurdle if they wanted a real reward. Not sure if anyone noticed the slight Christmassy décor here…
The stakes were soon raised as the rugby nuts amongst competed to see could get the most score predictions on the upcoming magic weekend.
Crowned victorious. The most outrageously dressed sports fan claims his rightful prize. Shame he’s not a saints fan…
Let the games begin! It was time to tee off our very own office masters. You could cut the tension with a knife as things started to get serious.
Mission impossible! NCC staff show they have what it takes to overcome a challenge. Just look at the concentration.
Football fever! The competition heated up after work as team members went head to head for office bragging rights.
Saints fan takes it all. It looks as though the locals have the magic touch when it comes to rugby predictions.
Recognising what it’s all about. NCC donate generously to help support cancer research and remember a true hero.
Steve Prescott is the well-remembered local rugby league player who sadly passed away last year after capturing the hearts of many with his fight against cancer and fundraising efforts for his charity The Steve Prescott Foundation.
After a successful start on our fundraising journey, our attention now focuses on the killer challenge that lies ahead.
Friday’s efforts were just the tip of the iceberg as we all now look to turn up the heat with our preparations for the big bike ride and Wigan 10k challenge.
The big bike ride challenge from Southport to St Helens is set to take place on 9th August and the Wigan 10k 7th September. To help us reach our target please visit http://www.justgiving.com/NCCHomeLearning
As our preparations get in to full swing individuals are also urged to keep a look out for our stories of blood, sweat and tears, and also some great offers we will have on Sports related courses.
A CV is designed for one purpose – to get you an interview. However, on average a recruiter will spend between 20 to 30 seconds looking at your CV. Therefore, you need to make a good impression quickly.
It is important that your CV stands out, is relevant, accurate and interesting as you are selling yourself. To achieve this a good CV should include:
1: Personal details – contact numbers, email address, postal address.
2: Personal Statement - This is your chance to make a good impression. If you don’t achieve this at the start of your CV the recruiter may not read any further which will affect your chances of getting an interview.
Employers will want to know what you can offer the business, what you will do for them. Personal statements are often very self-orientated but employers will not be interested in what you want from a career. Statements such as career orientated, looking for a challenge do not present the right impression. Statements such as “results orientated” tell an employer what the benefit of employing you would be.
3: Employment History – Employers will focus on this aspect of the CV. Therefore, this is an opportunity to convince the recruiter of your suitability for the job and answer these questions: Why should they hire you? What value would you add to the business? What is unique about you and how can you meet and exceed their needs?
During this section you need to tell the recruiter your career history without making it mechanical and boring. Always give your career history in chronological order giving the most recent jobs the most detail as it is most likely that the skills and experience gained in these posts that will determine your suitability for the role. Always give start and end dates for jobs. Although this section will normally remain fairly static, it is worthwhile ensuring that your have listed duties, skills experience which is relevant to the job you are applying for. This may mean adding extra information to ensure you have given full details needed to demonstrate your suitability for the job. However, do not tell lies or exaggerate, as a good recruiter will be able to establish this at some stage during the recruitment process.
If there is a gap in your employment history explain why – i.e. some time was taken out to travel.
4: Education - If you graduated/have recently graduated from a highly regarded university, obtained excellent academic results or are currently studying towards a professional qualification relating to your chosen career, then position this section near the top of your CV. However, if your career history is your strongest selling point then place the Education section towards the end of your CV.
5: Skills - After Employment History, this is arguably the most important part of your CV because it highlights your unique selling points as a prospective employee. Make it easy for employers to spot your talents and be clear about what you are offering.
You need to sell yourself and demonstrate your skills and achievements and show how you are going to be a positive addition to their workforce. Be deliberate with your choice of skills. If you are unclear about what skills the job requires because the job advert gives little information, then search similar job titles and note what those positions are looking for.
Once you have done that, create a list of your matching competencies in terms of transferable, job-related and adaptive skills such as communication, technical or problem solving skills.
Always remember your audience - Employers will quickly scan a number of CV’s and they do not want to be reading a list of skills or an employment history that is unfocused. So keep it clear and uncluttered. Keep your list short and tailored to the position that you are applying for. Remember your CV is designed to market you to a potential employer.
Generally we would not recommend including a hobbies section as employers are rarely interested in this. The only time it is useful is for young people with no or limited employment history where they can demonstrate their outside interests are relevant to the post, or adds to their skills. i.e. any voluntary work etc.
We do not recommend including a photo on a CV. If photos are included they are generally removed once received before passing to a manager for review (for equality reasons).
CV’s, the key thing is to keep relevant, accurate and waffle free – how many pages to include very much depends on how much a story needs to be told, which could be two pages or three or four pages for some people.
Do not mention social media unless it is a in skills or part of appropriate employment history and only if it is relevant to the post. For example a marketing person would put this in their skills and also mention it as part of their employment history to say they use it as a marketing tool. For a class room assistant it is unlikely to be relevant.
NCC Home Learning offer over 350 Distance Learning Courses that will help bolster your CV, also available is an Effective Personal Development Diploma to ensure the positive expansion of your skill set.
Last week we introduced the touching story of rugby league inspiration Steve Prescott and our plans to support this great cause.
Since then our team have been busy planning and preparing and we have now agreed a gruelling schedule of events to partake in.
We plan to complete 3 big events to coincide with some significant dates and hopefully drum up as much cash as possible for the Steve Prescott Foundation.
With a target of £500 to raise, we know we have a challenge.
Our first venture begins on the eve of the Rugby League Magic weekend with a dedicated sports day which will take place on the 16th May.
For one day only, all of us here at the office will be going sport crazy by coming to work dressed in sports gear, taking part in a sport themed activities and for the rugby nuts amongst us, compete to see who can get the most magic weekend score predictions. Everyone who gets involved will be urged to donate £2 to the Steve Prescott Foundation.
In fitting with the first major rugby final of the year, the Challenge Cup, our next event will be a challenge, and it will take place around this time.
The cyclists amongst us will attempt a sponsored bike ride to Southport and back whilst one determined staff member will take part in the Wigan 10k run on 7th September. Again all money raised will go to the foundation.
Our final showpiece involves the gifted memorabilia (mentioned in the last blog), a rare plaque of Australian Rugby League legend Mal Meninga, signed by the man himself; which we plan to auction off for charity.
Mal Meninga is an Australian icon who played for the Saints for one memorable year, scoring a remarkable 128 points in his short time and helping them to league victory. Meninga is known as one of the game’s all-time greats, stamping his mark in the NRL and for his country; and is now a well sought after coach at the Queensland State of Origin side.
Only 50 of these signed plaques are in existence and individuals should be advised that this rare piece of memorabilia is a well sought after collector’s item.
The auction will begin on 11th October to coincide with the major Rugby League event of the year, the Grand Final, and will end on 9th November to mark the anniversary of Steve’s death. The bidding price will start at £300.
NCC Prepare for Fundraising Challenge
For those wanting to get involved in the auction, more details on how to bid will be posted on the NCC Home Learning website in due course.
As we progress through our journey individuals are also urged to keep a look out for our stories of blood, sweat and tears, and also some great offers we will have on Sports related courses. If you would like to help our fundraising efforts please visit the NCC JustGiving page, any donation would be greatly accepted.
To find out what makes sporting greats such as Steve Prescott or Mal Meninga tick, why not try taking our Sports Psychology Diploma.
Recent updates from OCR have revealed that they will release a course related to modern usage of language. The course will hold a specific focus on Russell Brand and Dizzee Rascal in reference to 21st century language.
The format of A-Levels has experienced a huge shake up with assessment methods being dramatically changed. The first assessment for A-Level courses commencing in September 2015 will be in June 2017. This is moving away from exam periods twice annually.
OCR have stated that the course will also feature classic work from the likes of Shakespeare and William Blake but will also include extracts from Russell Brand’s appearance before the Commons which giving evidence on drug addiction.
Rapper Dizzee Rascal also gets a mention for his fascinating interview with Jeremy Paxman. Paxman asked questions about influence of politicians and the future of politics to which he received some typically 21st century answers.
A Department for Education source warned that Ofqual may block the course: “This is exactly the kind of dumbing down we are trying to get rid of. They must be having a laugh if they think A-levels in Dizzee Rascal and Russell Brand are going to be let through,”
This response takes a somewhat pompous view and immediately dismisses any value in referencing the individuals as sources. Criticism is also going the other way with unrest growing towards Education Secretary Michael Gove within Teacher’s Unions. A recent decision to pursue a 400m rescue of his beloved free schools pushed one teacher over the edge, stating “Another ridiculous decision made by Gove to feed his own, twisted ideologies. How much more will it take before our lunatic of an Education Secretary is sent to the stocks.”
Social environments are changing more frequently than ever and it is essential that education is kept as relevant as possible. The common end goal is to prepare students to eventually become captains of industry, variety of lexical technique will surely be conducive to this goal.
Russell Brand has taken steps to become more involved in political issues of late and there is no doubt his vernacular aids him in getting his point across. If students take a look at modern language, who is to say that is necessarily a bad thing?
NCC Home learning revisit their roots to raise money in memory of a local sports hero!
Our distance learning services are wide-reaching to individuals in the UK and beyond and it sometimes takes a moment to look out the window, just to remind ourselves that we help make up the local community of St Helens.
Those who are familiar with our humble northern home will agree, the community bedrock here most definitely lies within its thriving sporting presence.
And it’s all about one passion in these parts… the rough and tough game of rugby league.
Being very much a part of this community, it’s hard for us to ignore this proud rugby religion. But on a more serious note, there is one major influence relating to this sport that is much harder to ignore…
This great inspiration resides in the memory of a man called Steve Prescott.
After making a name for himself as a local sports star playing for the Saints (St Helens RLFC) during the 90’s, Steve came back into the public eye just over a decade later to capture hearts and inspire a generation.
In 2006 Steve Prescott was faced with the unthinkable when he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, aged just 32 and was given only months to live.
Faced with the greatest of adversity, Steve bravely battled on, defying the odds and pushed his body to the limit in a relentless pursuit to raise money and awareness for cancer research.
After forming his own charity, the Steve Prescott Foundation in 2007, Steve immersed himself in challenge after challenge, conquering everything from the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to a mountain of marathons- ultimately achieving an MBE for his grit and determination.
After a seven year long battle with the disease, Steve sadly passed away on 9th November, 2013, aged 39.
Although the death of Steve ‘Prekky’ Prescott who is now dubbed by the rugby and local community as the ‘Man of Steel’, brought much heartache and pain- his spirit, determination and resilience lives on.
The Steve Prescott Foundation continues the fight in memory of its brave founder and here at NCC we think it’s time to give something back and get involved in supporting such a noble cause.
After being kindly gifted a rare piece of memorabilia from the Saints club in the run up to the St Helens 10k run, this gave us an idea…
As we were a bit late to participate in the icon run for Steve, we’ve decided instead to organise our own series of fundraising events.
Site users are therefore urged to keep their eyes peeled, as in the next couple of weeks NCC will be revealing details about a major fundraising drive we have planned.
NCC Home Learning offer a range of over 350 distance learning courses from Teaching Assistant to Criminal Psychology and have been operating from their St Helens base since 2008.
Start Date: 14/05/2014.
– Last Entries: 30/06/2014.
– Promotion is open to residents of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland).
– Winners will be chosen either at random, by NCC staff via a vote or on any social media platform.
– Winners will be announced no more than 14 days after entries are closed.
– Entrants must be following @ncchomelearning
– No cash alternative to vouchers is available
– Vouchers will not be dispatched until after the 7 days after winner is chosen
– Allow up to 28 working days for vouchers to arrive.
– There are no cash or other gift alternatives available.
– NCC reserve the right to use images in promotional activity
– In the event of fraud, abuse and/or error affecting the operation of this competition, NCC have the right to suspend allocated gifts.
– This competition can be suspended, cancelled or modified at any time (and for any reason) without notice, entrants shall be deemed to agree to any such amended terms and conditions.
– NCC Home Learning do not accept any responsibility for the delivery or quality of the products acquired using the vouchers.
– Images can be shared across all social media platforms and marketing channels as deemed appropriate by NCC.
– Any question concerning the legal interpretation of the rules will be based on English law and the Courts of England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction.
– The promoter of this competition is, NCC Home Learning, Alexandra Business Park, Prescot Road, St Helen’s, WA10 3TT.