NCFE CACHE Level 4 Certificate for the Advanced Practitioner in Schools and Colleges

This level 4 qualification aims to provide professional development opportunities for practitioners working
in the school and college workforce who want to go onto roles such as being a Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) or mentoring roles. Learners will acquire and use skills of leadership, mentoring, coaching and reflection as they complete the qualification through work-based learning opportunities. Upon achievement of this qualification, the learner will be equipped as an Advanced Practitioner. The Advanced Practitioner will use crucial leadership skills to mentor others across all roles and responsibilities in the school or college workforce.

This qualification will equip you with knowledge, understanding and skills across a range of key subject
areas, including:
• diverse approaches to pedagogy that influence holistic learning in children and young people
• statutory planning and monitoring requirements
• how children, young people and adults (andragogy) learn
• the factors that could influence mental health and well-being in children and young people
• current national strategies for promoting mental health and well-being
• effective inclusion of children, young people and/or adults
• responsibilities of the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo)
• statutory requirements for working in partnership with families
• the diverse needs of families, and reflect on how best to overcome barriers to partnership working
with families
• introduction to research, and the role of ethics, when undertaking research
• planning, implementing and evaluating change in relation to an identified theme.

Learners may progress within the workforce in the following job roles and
responsibilities:

• Higher Level Practitioner/Teaching Assistant
• internal progression at a higher level, including those with
management responsibilities
• leadership, mentoring, supervision and management opportunities

A degree or level 5 in a relevant subject area.

Learners must be at least 18 years old and employed in a suitable role within a school or college. Previous Level 3 study is a clear advantage but experience, knowledge and understanding of working in schools or colleges
is a requirement for this CPD qualification.

There are 5 mandatory units. All units will be internally assessed using a range of methods which could include: direct observation within the workplace, written assignments and professional discussion in line with the Assessment of
Learning provided for each unit.

October 2025

This course is 30 weeks with a combination of taught sessions and one to one assessing contact in the workplace.
Taught sessions will be delivered on an evening at our Peterlee campus.