Course overview
For most children vision is the most important channel for communication and understanding, so learning with little or no sight presents significant challenges to established ways of teaching. As a teacher, teaching assistant, support worker or early years practitioner, you fulfil a crucial role in understanding and meeting the needs of a blind or partially sighted learner in your setting.
RNIB's Partners in Learning course, which was developed in conjunction with the Open University, can provide you with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide a high level of education for the learners with whom you work.
The course, which is accredited as a BTEC advanced certificate at level 3, is the only UK-wide accredited training designed for education support staff working with blind and partially sighted learners. In recognition of its excellence, several local authorities have made Partners in Learning a mandatory qualification for teaching assistants employed in their visual impairment support services.
What does the course cover?
Partners in Learning seeks to challenge you to consider your current practice, share and develop this with others in the field, and apply your new understanding to your working situation. You are asked to actively use your learning in a variety of practical ways and to implement your developing knowledge of best practice with colleagues and learners in your own setting.
Learning Outcomes
The Partners in Learning course will allow you to:
-
understand visual impairment and its implications for educational and social development
-
learn a range of skills and techniques to support learners and promote their independence both in and out of the classroom
-
develop an understanding of team work and its importance in effective practice.
-
develop a positive working relationship with learners which promotes their independence and engages them in planning and decision making.
Learning Pathways
The course is modular and enables you to register for one of the following pathways, so you can specialise in the area that is most appropriate to the children or young people you support:
-
Visual impairment: principal disability: This pathway is suitable for those working with children and young people whose visual impairment is their main or only disability, usually in a mainstream school or setting.
-
Visual impairment: complex needs: This pathway is suitable for those working with children and young people with significant additional needs as well as visual impairment, usually in a special school or setting.
-
Visual impairment: early years: This pathway is suitable for all practitioners working with young children from birth to five years, with or without additional needs, in the home or early years settings.
How is the course delivered?
Partners in Learning is studied over a calendar year. The course is predominantly delivered online, but includes two training days, one at the start of the course and the other half way through. Training days are held at a regional location within reach of all students. Special arrangements can be made for students whose circumstances mean they are unable to attend both training days.
The blended course runs over three terms and is divided into six units, each estimated to involve around 30 hours of study. The units include:
provision, roles and responsibilities
-
vision and visual impairment
-
effective practice
-
curriculum access
-
communication skills in a learning environment
-
independence and social inclusion.
Assessment
Assessment is via regular assignments, online discussions and factual tests. Each unit includes the following elements:
• online self study activities assessed by an online multiple choice test
• online group discussion activities which enable you to engage and share your learning with other students
• short written assignments encouraging you to apply your learning from the unit to your own situation.
What are the benefits?
Benefits of the blended learning course include:
-
leads to national qualification (level 3 BTEC)
-
flexible online access
-
detailed timetable of activities
-
extensive course materials set out over six units
-
varied approach to learning and assessment
-
frequent online discussions with fellow students
-
regular online contact with experienced tutor
-
specialist pathways to reflect different professional contexts
-
fewer training days involving less travel.
Partners in Learning leads to a customised BTEC Level 3 Advanced Certificate entitled "Working with learners with visual impairment in educational settings". It does not meet the requirements of the mandatory qualification for teachers of children with visual impairment.
Who is the course for?
The course is suitable for any education professional that works with blind or partially sighted children and young people, including teachers, teaching assistants, support workers and early years practitioners.
Entry requirements
You should be able to provide evidence of the following:
-
education to GCSE standard, NVQ Level 2 or equivalent experience or qualifications
-
working on a regular basis with one or more children or young people with visual impairment for the duration of the course
-
regular access to broadband internet and email facilities
-
employer support for the period of your training.
When can I start the course?
The next planned online course will start in February 2014. The two training days will be held in London, Coventry and Leeds, subject to numbers.
To apply or for further information contact cypf@rnib.org.uk
How much will it cost?
The fee for the online course is £650 per participant. This includes BTEC registration, training days, all course materials and access to online activities.
How do I apply?
To book your place download the application form and email it to cypf@rnib.org.uk
Alternatively, send the form by fax or post to the address below.
PiL Administrator
RNIB Children's Services
58-72 John Bright St
Birmingham
B1 1BN
Telephone 0121 665 4235
Fax: 0121 665 4201
Email cypf@rnib.org.uk
Feedback from managers and participants
Read the feedback from the field and feedback from participants who have successfully completed Partners in Learning.
Terms and conditions
-
All courses are subject to viable numbers.
-
Please pay on receipt of invoice.
-
RNIB reserves the right to impose a charge for places cancelled two months or less before the commencement date, and in situations where students withdraw after commencement of the course.