NPA Play in a Sports Environment SCQF level 6

The NPA in Play in a Sports Environment was developed to support learners wishing to pursue playwork or sport as possible career paths. The competences achieved will allow learners to make other career decisions and follow different pathways.

The units link to Skillsactive National Occupational Standards (NOS) in Playwork.

The NPA provides learning and practical opportunities for learners wishing to develop their playwork and sport skills for working with children and young people. The units are designed to allow the learner to develop the knowledge and skills required to deliver play in a sports environment that meets the requirements of the NOS in Playwork. It will allow learners to develop their personal qualities and to develop their knowledge and skills in play and playwork, communication, development, wellbeing and health and safety surrounding the topic. The award is designed to articulate with current SVQs and to support learners who may wish to follow a career path in playwork or sport and fitness.

This qualification is available through schools, colleges and training providers.

NPAs can be taught as a full-time course over one year or as a part-time course over two years.

Qualification structure

Group award code: GV36 46 (18 SCQF credit points)

SCQF level: 6

This NPA consists of three mandatory units (18 SCQF credit points). There are no optional units.

Mandatory units include:

  • Health, Safety and Wellbeing of Children and Young People in a Sports Environment
  • Provide Play Sessions in a Sports Environment
  • Working with Children and Young People to Provide Play in a Sports Environment

See the group award specification (274 KB) for the full list of mandatory units.

Unit search

How to assess

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.

Deliver this qualification

Resources

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.

Why study this qualification

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.

Employment and progression

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

Qualification structure

Group award code: GV36 46 (18 SCQF credit points)

SCQF level: 6

This NPA consists of three mandatory units (18 SCQF credit points). There are no optional units.

Mandatory units include:

  • Health, Safety and Wellbeing of Children and Young People in a Sports Environment
  • Provide Play Sessions in a Sports Environment
  • Working with Children and Young People to Provide Play in a Sports Environment

See the group award specification (274 KB) for the full list of mandatory units.

Unit search

Resources

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.