At NCC, it’s important to us to celebrate the achievements of our learners in their educational journey, whether it’s advancing academically, transitioning careers, or simply enjoying the process of learning. We aim to inspire others by showcasing what is possible and by sharing real-life experiences from the journey.

Elaine explains how she has been able to use her online qualifications with NCC to help kick-start her journey towards a career in counselling.

 

 

 

 

Elaine used her NCC course to help her get into university

“I had children very young, and so I never really went on to further education when I left school. My youngest boy was diagnosed as a child with ADHD, but when he left school we discovered that he was also autistic. I felt somewhat let down by the NHS psychiatrist for missing that diagnosis, as I feel that it would have made a difference to him growing up had we known about his autism diagnosis.

As I was nearing 40, I began to regret that I had not had the opportunity to go on to higher education and make a proper career for myself, and I wanted to be able to work in child mental health to help an already overwhelmed CAMHS to support many needy families. During COVID I was laid off at work, and although I was able to find work thank goodness, it really opened my eyes to the fact that I was in a career where I didn’t matter, I was just a number.

I decided to embark on a home learning course through NCC, and chose to do the two course bundle which covers both counselling skills and mental health. I thought that this would be a good entry qualification into a career within the NHS, however, I quickly learned that it wasn’t going to be that simple. I really enjoyed the course and was amazed at how quickly I managed to complete it. I think because of my personal experience and interest in the topic, that I really found it interesting and so was eager to get back to it in the evenings.

When I achieved my certificate I started looking towards the next steps. This was a knowledge-based qualification, and so would require further study before I would be able to join BACP, although there was the option to sign up with another counselling body ACCPH*. However, what it did provide me with was evidence of my ability to still manage study for university, and when I looked into what I was able to achieve in financial support I realised that university was possible. My course also provided UCAS points, which enabled me to scrape through the minimum requirements for university with my previous A level qualifications. I was really pleased about this because I thought in order to go to university I would be forced to complete a foundation year as a mature student, so using my online learning to demonstrate my ability to research and study was really useful.

I started university this September, and boy is it challenging! However, I am having the time of my life, and although I am so much older than my peers I have been welcomed into the group. I think that now I am getting to the end of my first term, I am proud of what I have achieved. I am now hoping to actually work towards becoming a child psychiatrist, but we’ll see what happens. No matter what, I know I will appreciate what I have accomplished and will enjoy giving something back and helping others.

Thank you to NCC for helping me get started on this journey, and for the excellent tutor support that actually pushed me to put more effort into researching for myself and providing more than I initially thought. I was upset initially when I was getting my assignments referred, but now I completely understand what my tutor was giving me, and I have to say a huge thank you to him for pushing me that bit more.”

How to become a child psychologist

Becoming an NHS (National Health Service) child psychologist in the UK typically involves a combination of education, training, and practical experience. Here is a general guide to help you navigate the path to becoming a child psychologist in the NHS:

1. Educational Requirements:

• Obtain a bachelor’s degree: Start by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. While a specific undergraduate degree in psychology is not always required, it can be advantageous.
• Gain relevant experience: During your undergraduate studies, try to gain experience working with children, adolescents, or families through internships, volunteering, or part-time jobs.

2. Postgraduate Education:

• Complete a master’s degree: Many child psychologists pursue a master’s degree in clinical or educational psychology. This degree provides specialised training in working with children and adolescents.
• Gain practical experience: Master’s programs often include supervised placements or internships, allowing you to gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting.

3. Doctoral Training:

• Pursue a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology: The majority of NHS child psychologists hold a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Admission to these programmes is highly competitive. Look for programmes accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS).
• Gain clinical experience: Doctoral programmes typically include a period of supervised clinical practice. This practical experience is crucial for developing the skills required to work with children and families.

4. Registration and Licensing:

• Register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC): In the UK, practising psychologists, including child psychologists, must be registered with the HCPC. This involves meeting specific educational and training standards.
• Obtain chartered status with the British Psychological Society (BPS): Chartered status with the BPS is also important and may be required for certain positions.

5. Specialise in Child Psychology:

• Choose electives and placements that focus on child and adolescent psychology during your education and training.
• Consider additional training or certifications in specific areas such as play therapy, family therapy, or school psychology.

6. Gain NHS Experience:

• Apply for NHS positions: Look for opportunities to work within the NHS, either through training placements or entry-level positions. This might include working in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) or related departments.

7. Continuous Professional Development (CPD):

• Stay current: Keep abreast of the latest developments in child psychology through continuous professional development activities, workshops, and training.

Remember that the specific requirements and pathways may vary, so it’s important to research the specific requirements of the NHS and any accrediting bodies in your region. Additionally, networking with professionals in the field and seeking guidance from mentors can be valuable throughout your educational and professional journey.

*  ACCPH is an independent professional body and registry catering to counsellors, coaches, psychotherapists, and hypnotherapists. While headquartered in the UK, they welcome members and accredit courses from organisations globally.

To ensure credibility, they thoroughly vet professionals before accepting them into the ACCPH membership register. They verify qualifications and require practitioners to provide current Professional Liability Insurance certificates upon joining and annually thereafter.

Their accreditation process adheres to the highest standards, aligning with benchmarks set by Ofqual, the Open & Distance Learning Quality Council, Frameworks for Higher Education, and similar bodies. This commitment to transparency, coupled with their comprehensive membership profile database, allows interested parties to make well-informed decisions about therapists or coaches. Their website profiles are intentionally concise, providing essential information to verify qualifications, while practitioners’ websites serve as comprehensive resources for additional details on their practices.

For practitioners, ACCPH offers a robust professional platform to transparently market skills, qualifications, websites, blogs, and social media to a targeted audience. This approach ensures a powerful and trustworthy presence in the professional community.

NCC is happy to provide further information or respond to any questions regarding these courses, or any of our courses on our website. Simply email [email protected] to communicate with one of our dedicated sales team, who will be happy to clarify anything that is unclear after reading the course details on our website.

References: About ACCPH, https://www.accph.org.uk/about

 

At NCC Home Learning we are all about celebrating the success of our students, and a recent email from a learner prompted us here to consider writing this article to demonstrate how you can use your NCC adult care or health and social care course to get you on track to starting a more rewarding career as a nurse within the NHS.

 

Lisa’s journey into nursing

Lisa joined our community of learners in September 2020 as she embarked upon the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care RQF regulated qualification.

 

“I really found the NCC tutor support exceptional, as I struggled initially to know where to start as I was a more mature student returning to education for a change of career. After facing redundancy for the second time, I realised that I needed to leave the retail sector and I decided that I wanted to give something back.

I wanted to become a nurse, but I couldn’t give up work to do that as I had a family to take care of. I took the Adult Care course with NCC and then managed to gain a placement within a care home nearby. It certainly was a challenge initially. I was obviously used to hard work, but the demands and responsibilities on care workers was a lot to take on initially, particularly as I was learning the role.

This unfortunately caused me to not be able to complete the course within the 12 months, but NCC were great, and I was able to purchase an extension and complete my course and gain my official qualification.

Last year I applied for a Trainee Nurse Associate vacancy at my local hospital in Bath, and I am now employed doing what I love. I will have to do a number of different placements within the hospital in order to meet my training needs, but so far, I am really enjoying my new job.

Thank you NCC for helping me get this far!”

 

What is a Nursing Associate?

Nursing associates collaborate with healthcare support staff and registered nurses to provide care for patients and the public.

In their professional role, nursing associates operate across various nursing domains, including adult, children’s, mental health, and learning disability. The scope of their skills and responsibilities depends on the specific care environment in which they are employed.

The standard working week for this role typically spans 37.5 hours, covering a variety of shifts, including nights, early mornings, evenings, and weekends. As a trainee nursing associate, your remuneration will typically align with band 3 on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, progressing to band 4 upon qualification.

In addition to competitive pay, you’ll enjoy access to a comprehensive pension scheme and health service discounts.

Entry requirements

Embarking on your journey as a nursing associate requires GCSEs graded 9 to 4 (A to C) in both maths and English, or Functional Skills Level 2 in these subjects. Some employers may also seek a level 3 qualification, such as the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care RQF or the CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care RQF (if you don’t have a work placement in the care sector that is willing to mentor you). Demonstrating your ability to pursue a foundation degree level of study and successfully complete the Nursing Associate Apprenticeship programme is essential.

FAQs

Selecting Christmas presents can pose a challenge, especially when it comes to individuals who appear to possess everything. It may be challenging to come up with a unique and meaningful gift that truly expresses your care and thoughtfulness. Offering the gift of learning stands out as one of the most considerate and meaningful gestures you can make.

Why give the gift of learning?

As cliché as it may sound, presenting the gift of learning is genuinely one of the most meaningful gestures you can make. By offering this invaluable present, you’re not only providing a lasting benefit but also opening up avenues for personal growth.

Throughout life, numerous obstacles and challenges may hinder individuals from realising their full potential—health issues, family commitments, and even past academic choices. However, these obstacles don’t have to dictate one’s journey, and the gift of learning serves as a powerful tool to overcome such barriers.

Let’s face it; we’ve all experienced moments where we desired self-improvement but lacked the necessary resources. This is especially true during our early professional years when we were navigating the professional landscape. Imagine the impact of giving someone the crucial opportunity to enhance their CV and seize that well-deserved promotion.

Here a just a few reasons that giving a course for Christmas can be a thoughtful, meaningful and unique gift idea:

• Personalised Learning: Selecting a course that reflects the recipient’s interests, hobbies, or career goals shows you’ve put thought into the gift, and that you know and understand them.

• Skill Development: Courses offer the opportunity for skill development and learning new things. Whether it’s a language course, a cooking class, or a professional development programme, the gift of knowledge and skill acquisition can be enriching and have a lasting impact. 

• Experience Over Material Possessions: Many people appreciate experiences over physical gifts. A course provides an experiential gift that can be both enjoyable and educational, contributing to personal growth and enrichment.

• Flexible Learning Options: With the rise of online learning platforms, courses can be taken at the learner’s own pace and convenience. This flexibility makes it easier for the recipient to integrate learning into their schedule, making it a practical and accessible gift.

• Long-lasting Impact: Unlike some physical gifts that might lose their appeal over time, the knowledge gained from a course can have a long-lasting impact on the recipient’s life. It’s a gift that keeps on giving as the acquired skills and knowledge can be applied in various aspects of their personal or professional life.

• Supporting Personal Goals: If the course aligns with the recipient’s personal or professional goals, the gift can be seen as a supportive gesture. It shows that you not only care about their interests but also want to contribute to their growth and success.

• Memorable Experience: The process of taking a course and acquiring new skills can create lasting memories. The learning journey, challenges overcome, and achievements earned during the course can be cherished by the recipient, and quite often the achievement is a great way of improving self-esteem and confidence.

When choosing a course as a Christmas gift, consider the recipient’s interests, aspirations, and the type of learning experience they might enjoy. Whether it’s a language course, a creative workshop, or a professional development programme, the key is to tailor the gift to the individual’s preferences and goals.

A Gift of Learning Can Be Fun

Quite frequently, we tend to forget how enjoyable it can be to learn, especially when the subject is of personal interest. Consider the person you’re purchasing for. You might want to buy them something that not only captivates their interest but also contributes to enhancing their mental well-being. It’s never too late to embark on a learning journey, and with the technology available today, there are numerous accessible ways to do so.

The gift of learning is also an incredible gift for a loved one who is retired. It is never too late to learn again, and new research shows that brain function declines rapidly after retirement. It appears that the lack of regular stimulation takes a heavy toll on cognitive function and could play a part in speeding up memory loss and dementia, some researchers warn.

Numerous medical studies suggest that continuous learning during retirement can positively impact brain health. Retirement often leads us to neglect exercising our minds, and an article from Age UK delves into this topic, exploring whether “Brain Training” genuinely improves cognitive health. In essence, the article concludes that learning something new, whether a skill or academic pursuit, yields the most favourable results in terms of stimulating the brain and enhancing cognitive abilities. The inherent wisdom gained through learning is a key factor.

Some popular courses that learners choose to do for personal interest rather than personal development are Creative Writing,  Psychology of Criminal Profiling,  Digital Photography Diploma or Genealogy, to name but a few. Why not take a look at what we have to offer online and see if you can find that unique gift for someone you love.

A Gift of Learning Can Change Lives

By investing in a course for a loved one, you have the potential to enhance their quality of life and financial security. It’s possible that they lack the financial means to enrol in a course independently and presenting them with the gift of a course this holiday season could mark the beginning of a more fulfilling career journey.

This could also serve as a chance for individuals currently not employed to build the confidence needed to re-enter the workforce. Numerous courses are accessible to assist learners in transitioning back to work. Consider enrolling in a Principles of Customer Service Certificate RQF, NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Business Administration course or a similar program to showcase your acquired knowledge and skills to prospective employers.

Not only does unemployment hinder individuals from entering the workforce, but the responsibilities of raising a young family can also lead to periods of joblessness. Engaging in a distance learning course offers parents the flexibility to study at their own pace, accommodating their family obligations. This preparation equips them for a successful return to work in the future. By undertaking a course tailored to align with industries conducive to work-life balance, such as becoming a teaching assistant, parents can gain relevant skills.  Our Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Award Level 3 RQF is designed to provide learners with a foundational knowledge qualification, which should help them in securing employment as a teaching assistant. Subsequently, once employed, they can leverage the completed units to progress to the next level of Ofqual-regulated qualifications.

Regardless of their particular circumstances, providing the gift of learning can deeply impact an individual’s life and journey. It offers a chance to demonstrate your support for their personal growth and development, demonstrating encouragement for them to thrive and reach their full potential.

The benefits of home learning courses

With home learning courses, you can choose to study at any level with very few, if any, pre-requisite qualifications needed. 

We have hundreds of home learning courses available. From nail art to psychology, from autism awareness to maths, we have a course that is suitable. It can be helpful to split the courses into two broad categories as you consider which course would make the best Christmas gift: vocational or career related courses can be an important springboard from one role or career into another. Interest courses are another category which includes all kinds of courses that many people find interesting or are passionate about. Learning does not always have to mean a bigger pay packet or more responsibility. Qualifications and learning can be about widening and broadening horizons in subject matters that people find fascinating and stimulating. 

Embarking on an online course is a convenient and flexible way to engage in learning, allowing individuals to proceed at their own pace and accommodate other commitments. This flexibility ensures that learning can seamlessly integrate into one’s life, empowering personal development and providing control over enhancing employability. Online learning has democratised knowledge, enabling people from all walks of life to boost their understanding and career prospects at any life stage. Whether preparing for a new chapter when children start school or seeking to break free from a stagnant routine, the gift of learning during the holiday season could be a valuable investment in personal growth.

Online Learning Courses At Affordable Prices

At NCC we provide quality courses at affordable prices, and in addition we also offer the option to purchase over 12 months without a credit check so that education is accessible for all.

Imagine the look on your loved ones face this Christmas morning upon opening a box and inside finding that they have been signed up for a course to enable them to work towards a new career in counselling or health care, for example. Or perhaps a course that enables them to start being their own boss such as Dog Grooming or Beauty Therapy, or if they can learn about something that is of personal interest such as Creative Writing, Genealogy or even delving into the Psychology of Criminal Profiling. We have lots of interesting options and a variety of directions, take a look at what’s available today and consider a new and unique gift idea for a loved one this year.

If purchasing an entire course feels overwhelming, consider the option of NCC gift vouchers. For further information, feel free to reach out to us at 0333 344 5690 or via email at [email protected].

FAQs

Sources

Brumberg, R., (2023) Retirement Is One Of Life’s Major Transitions—Maintaining Cognitive Health Can Make It Easier. Forbes. [online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/health/healthy-aging/cognitive-health-in-early-retirement/ [accessed 30/11/23]

AgeUK, Dr Alan Gow, (2022) Exercise for the brain? [online] Available at: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/mind-body/staying-sharp/looking-after-your-thinking-skills/exercise-for-the-brain/ [accessed 30/11/23]

BBC, David Robson (2017) The amazing fertility of the older mind. BBC. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170828-the-amazing-fertility-of-the-older-mind [accessed 30/11/23]

The Telegraph, Sarah Knapton, (2018) Retirement causes brain function to rapidly decline, warn scientists. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2018/01/22/retirement-causes-brain-function-rapidly-decline-warn-scientists/ [accessed 30/11/23]