• Access Duration:  1 Year
• Awarded by: NCFE  CACHE
• Qualification Level:  Level 4
• Qualification Number: 603/2474/0
• Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 155
• Total Qualification Time (TQT): 205
• Credits: 21

• Reflect on how you work with others in a partnership, and how you lead, coach and mentor others in a learning-friendly environment.
• Look into the legal requirements for education and safety in your home country.
• Think about the impact of planning learning activities on you and your learning environment and how you can improve it.
• Compare and contrast different methods of monitoring and reflect on the effect of monitoring and assessment on your own practice.
• Describe the different parts of mental health and well-being, explore what can influence them, and consider what you can do to help kids and teens.
• Identify various methods of collaborating with families and other professionals, identify strategies for addressing challenges, and reflect on your own practice within your setting.
• Plan, implement and evaluate change in your own setting.

This is a qualification professionals already working in a school or college who wish to move into leadership, mentoring or coaching roles. It helps people progress into higher level jobs or further study at Level 5 and above.

This course is ideal for:

• Higher Level Teaching Assistants
• Experienced Teaching Assistants
• Learning Mentors
• Pastoral Support Staff
• Cover Supervisors
• Practitioners seeking a leadership role
• Those moving from a Level 3 qualification
• Individuals wanting to specialise in mental health or SEND

• Learners must be at least 18 years old.
• Learners must be employed in a suitable Level 3 role within a school or college, as they need to demonstrate competence in both skills and knowledge.
• Learners should have suitable experience, knowledge and understanding of working in schools or colleges.
• Previous Level 3 study is an advantage.

• This course can be completed through two flexible study options to suit your lifestyle:
  • Standard Course Plan (6 months) – ideal for learners balancing other commitments.
  • Fast Track Option (3 months) – perfect for those who can dedicate intensive study time.
• Most learners complete within their chosen timeframe, though some may finish earlier depending on personal circumstances and available study time. We accommodate your pace with unlimited support for 12 months. This Level 4 Certificate requires approximately 155 guided learning hours.

T&C apply

• There are no examinations.
• You will be assessed through tasks linked to learning outcomes.
• Assessment methods may include written assignments, direct observation in the workplace, professional discussion, expert witness testimony, reflective diaries, case studies, oral questions, learner work products, and portfolio evidence.
• You’ll need to demonstrate both knowledge and practical competence in areas such as supporting learning, mental health and wellbeing, additional needs and disabilities, working with families and professionals, and implementing change in schools or colleges.
• All proof of competence must be in a real work environment. No simulations are allowed.
• Each unit has specific assessment criteria that must be achieved successfully to complete the qualification.

The NCFE CACHE Level 4 Certificate for the Advanced Practitioner in Schools and Colleges is a great way to get a head start in school and begin building your career.

Next Steps for a Possible Academic Progression Pathway

• Step 1: Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (DET)
• Step 2: Bachelor’s Degree (BA/BSc) in Education
• Step 3: Master’s in Education (MEd)

Alternative Pathways 

• Higher Level Practitioner / Teaching Assistant roles with management responsibilities.
• Leadership, mentoring, supervision, and management opportunities in organisations.

This qualification enables you to progress to Advanced Practitioner and to take on more responsibility.

Here are some career opportunities you could pursue as you gain experience and complete this qualification, along with approximate UK salaries. (Source: Glassdoor UK)

• SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) – £84,000
• SEND Teaching Assistant – £42,000
• Cover Supervisor – £41,000
• Learning Mentor – £35,000
• Higher Level Teaching Assistant (HLTA) – £31,000
• Pastoral Support Lead – £30,000
• Experienced Teaching Assistant – £30,000

This qualification is regulated by Ofqual, the UK government’s Office for Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. Ofqual regulation ensures that the qualification meets national standards for quality, consistency, and fairness. It means the course content, assessment methods, and learning outcomes are carefully monitored, giving learners confidence that the qualification is credible, well recognised, and supports progression to further study or employment in the UK.

RQF

In England and Northern Ireland, regulated qualifications are classified by level and size using the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). It helps learners, employers, and education providers understand and compare qualifications. Entry Level is divided into Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3. The framework consists of nine levels from Entry Level to Level 8. Size indicates the amount of learning required to achieve the qualification, and level indicates the complexity and demand of the learning. To be regulated, a qualification must meet the relevant regulatory requirements and be awarded by a recognised awarding organisation.