NPA Play in a Sports Environment SCQF level 6

This subject will not have alternative assessment guidance for session 2023-24. You should refer to the Group Award/Unit specifications for detailed delivery and assessment information. For general support on delivery and assessment see the HNVQ assessment guidance 2023-24.

• Current
• Lapsing

Assessment will be a combination of practical and knowledge assessments under open-book assessment conditions. See the assessment and evidence requirements for each unit.

Assessment Support Packs are available for this qualification.

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Centres offering the NPA Play in a Sports Environment should ensure they have suitable resources and play equipment for the delivery of this award. Learners should have access to relevant legislation, workplace policy and procedure documentation and workplace guidelines. Learners must be given the opportunity to provide play sessions for children and/or young people within a sports environment.

The NPA in Play in a Sports Environment is designed for a wide range of learners, including:

• school leavers
• adults returning to education

The qualification is also suitable for:

• learners with a strong leaning towards an interest in Sport and Fitness
• S5 and S6 learners (who may have achieved National 5 or Higher Physical Education or Sport and Fitness awards)
• school leavers
• progression learners (for example ‘Skills for Work’ learners who may have achieved a course at SCQF level 5, such as Skills for Work Sport and Recreation or Skills for Work Early Learning and Childcare)
• adults returning to education
• employed learners who wish to enhance their career prospects
• unemployed learners who wish to enhance their job prospects

Learners will develop knowledge and understanding of current theories and best practice in play and playwork, and the impact on specific aspects of the playwork sector and the sports and recreation industry. They will also develop competency in planning, implementing and evaluating aspects of the play process.

They will also develop Core Skills in a setting relevant to the industry.

Access

While access to the qualification is at the discretion of the centre, it is recommended that learners have good communication skills, both written and oral. Learners may already have undertaken qualifications which have developed their skills, knowledge and understanding, for example:

• Skills for Work Early Learning and Childcare at SCQF level 5
• Skills for Work Sport and Recreation at SCQF level 5
• National Progression Award in Playwork and Childcare at SCQF level 5

The award and contributing units have been designed to allow learners to develop their skills by undertaking challenges by the assessment tasks, supported by the delivering centre but have no unreasonable barriers put between them and achievement.

The award is designed to permit learners to develop knowledge and skills in the areas which most interest them and to allow better articulation with the programmes in playwork, fitness and coaching, rather than offer direct access to employment. The industry continues to become more regulated and employers lean towards employing staff with qualifications that have professional recognition for many positions.

Within the area of playwork, sport and fitness, there is a substantial range of employment opportunities for properly qualified staff.

The NPA Play in a Sports Environment is designed as a progression route to the full range of sport and fitness HN Awards or SVQ in Playwork at SCQF level 6 awards as well as an articulation route from the Skills for Work Sport and Recreation and Early Learning and Childcare courses.

The awards are designed to allow learners to progress from the units and awards available at SCQF level 5 and if appropriate, enter at SQCF level 6 in order to acquire many underpinning skills and knowledge which will be required within the HN sport and fitness programmes.

The NPA Play in a Sports Environment is designed to enable learning and practical opportunities to develop playwork and sports skills for working with children and young people, and improve your skills and knowledge in the Sport and Fitness Industries. It may support progression to the HNC/HND programmes in:

• Sport Coaching with Sport Development
• Fitness Health and Exercise
• Sport and Recreation Management
• Sports Therapy
• Applied Sports Science
• Other SQA awards and SVQs are also real possibilities

• Current
• Lapsing

Centres offering the NPA Play in a Sports Environment should ensure they have suitable resources and play equipment for the delivery of this award. Learners should have access to relevant legislation, workplace policy and procedure documentation and workplace guidelines. Learners must be given the opportunity to provide play sessions for children and/or young people within a sports environment.