CACHE Level 3 in Supporting Teaching and Learning

The CACHE Level 3 in Supporting Teaching and Learning Qualification is the Apprenticeship Standard for Teaching Assistants. These newer qualifications include current agendas such as radicalisation, mental health and e-safety, and the scope of our newer qualifications has been changed to include learners providing support in colleges, therefore the age range covers 5 years and above.

This course will provide you with knowledge of working with different individuals in different settings, such as adults who have SEND within a college environment. The structure is simple with mandatory units only to support all-round knowledge and skills for future employment in different learning environments.

There are three different qualifications, the Award, Certificate and Diploma.

Who is it for?

The qualifications in this suite are ideal for anyone looking for a nationally recognised qualification that will allow them to become a qualified teaching assistant.

What are the requirements?

Each of the qualifications in this nested suite can be studied by learners over the age of 16 and you do not need any previous qualifications. However, students must have basic IT skills and be fluent in English.

If you choose to study the certificate or diploma, you must also be working or volunteering in a school or college from key stage one as these courses require you to complete a work placement and provide evidence and
observations as part of your assessment.

A work placement is not required for you to complete the level 3 award.

Where can it get you?

Once you have successfully completed one of the level 3 qualifications, you can apply for a variety of unsupervised roles that support children and young people with their education in a school or college, including the following roles:

Teaching assistants
Learning support assistants
Special needs assistants

CACHE Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning

This is the first step within the qualification and is suitable for those not yet working in a level 3 school role but are capable of achieving this level.

It is also for those who are starting their initial teaching assistant training.

This qualification provides learners with an understanding of the knowledge needed when working directly with children and young people in a school or college environment. The qualification covers elements including children and young people’s development and safeguarding their welfare.

This is a knowledge only qualification and work experience isn’t required.

NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Supporting Teaching and Learning

Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning

This is a higher step to the award and it requires a placement within a school setting in the UK.

Learners need to show competence in both skills and knowledge and this qualification requires you to be in a placement and will require practical assessments.

NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning

NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning

This qualification provides learners with an in-depth understanding of the knowledge and skills needed when working directly with children and young people in school and college environments. You will need a placement within a school or workplace.

It covers all aspects of specialist support including planning; delivering and reviewing assessment strategies to support learning alongside the teacher; bilingual support; special needs support; and personal development and reflective practice.

The Level 3 Diploma has been allocated UCAS points and can be used as part of an application to higher education. You can earn up to 32 UCAS points.