working with children

jimmy2times

Im my never ending quest for career ideas, the latest thing is the idea of working with children in some sort of 'support worker' type role, maybe.

The jobs near me seem to want experience which I don't have, and since you can't have experience without getting it, then I suppose some sort of qualification is the answer.

Which one, though? There seems to be millions of them.
I've seen ''QCF Level 3 mentioned''. Never heard of that. I'm only familiar with gcse's, a-levels, btec's and degrees.

One of the positions near me says :
''NVQ/QCF Level 3 in Children and Young People required''

I spoke to my local college, and they only offer ''BTEC EXTENDED CERTIFICATES IN SOCIAL CARE''

Would that be any good?? Is it the same sort of thing?

jobbingmusician

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=QCF+Level+3

jimmy2times

strange. that qfc Course wasn't mentioned when i phoned them, and it also isn't in the college prospectus they sent me, but I've now found it on the college website.

HOWEVER, you can only apply for the course if you already working in the field? that sounds weird!! If i could get a job without the qualification then i wouldn't need to apply!

''The level 3 diploma is aimed at those already working in the Children and Young people sector''
''You will need to be working or volunteering in a child care role''



edit: but then it appears that if you take an 'online course' for the same qualification, then you don't need to be working in the field already!!?
confused

jimmy2times

So is QCF Level 3 in Children and Young People the same as Children and Young People's Workforce Diploma - Level 3

PlymouthMaid

It may say that because they expect people to have done a level 2 course first. I am not sure if it is appropriate for your circumstances but have you considered an Apprenticeship to get into the field and gain the NVQ etc?

You will be expected to have or achieve your Maths and English qualifications as part of this if you do not already have decent grades. Try private training providers as well as your local college - I work for one of these organisations and we have a lot of Apprentices doing awards for nursery and school work. They will help you to find employers too normally.

sangie595

Two comments:

First, almost no qualification, and certainly none worth having, would take you on without any experience of working with children at all. They expect you to be able to show interest and aptitude, and the way to do that is volunteering. There are plenty of candidates so they won't be short of people to choose from.

Secondly, if working with children is part of "a never ending quest for career ideas", give it up now. You don't decide to work with children because it is a career. You either want to do this and can't think of anything you would rather do in life, or you don't. Children are hard work in any capacity; and wages, unless you are in a profession such as teaching or psychology or social work, are really very low - generally without any real career structure either. It isn't a career first - it is a vocation first. And if you can fulfil the vocation you MIGHT get a career one day with enough qualifications.

jimmy2times

One of the courses was over 2k which scared me, but then on the reed site, i've found what looks like the same course (Child Care Course - Children and Young People's Workforce Leve 3 Diploma) for less than £100!
Crazy variance!
Will contact them later on
(edit - that's for something called 'bite size' units so probably something different)

@sangie595, it's gotta be better paid than loading lorries or washing dishes, though, so still a step up

sangie595

jimmy2times wrote: »

One of the courses was over 2k which scared me, but then on the reed site, i've found what looks like the same course (Child Care Course - Children and Young People's Workforce Leve 3 Diploma) for less than £100!
Crazy variance!
Will contact them later on
(edit - that's for something called 'bite size' units so probably something different)

@sangie595, it's gotta be better paid than loading lorries or washing dishes, though, so still a step up

(A) I hope your skills with children exceed your skills with google. The course on Reed is so cheap because it is a BIT of the course, and you must complete ALL the bits to get the qualification. Plus pay various other fees and registrations. All of which add up to a lot more than £100. Plus, if you check the course requirements for the full Diploma - which takes a year or so to complete, the course work includes workplace assessments and workplace based assignments - this is a nationally accredited course and you cannot avoid having to do workplace based work - and you do not have a workplace.

(B) That has got to be the WORST explanation for wanting to work with children I have ever heard. If that is the best you can manage then you shouldn't be considering working with children. Thankfully, unless you can get your act and your finances together, you won't be working with children. Children are not an alternative to washing dishes, and childcare should never be about how much money you can earn (which won't be a lot anyway - much is minimum wage and term time only, so actually not better than either of your alternatives).

jimmy2times

The most expensive i've seen for the full course is about 2k and I can easily afford that so finances for it shouldn't be a problem.
I guess I Just need to find someone to give me a few working hours per week or something (so that i can do the course) which won't be easy without experience but i've got my eyes open.

devilivus

Good luck with it
Sounds like a plan.
See if you can get some volunteering work, then pass the course, then find a paid job

devilivus

My friend works in a residential home with children ins a support role, and he definitely makes a fair but more tha minimum wage, so I don't see why you shouldn't go for it.

Not sure why Sangie seems to upset if i'm honest. ( Maybe you two have history??!!)
what's wrong with someone trying to better their situation?