Learner Handbook
Table of Contents:
1
Welcome
2
Next Steps
3
Course Funding
4
Course Delivery
5
The SCCU Team
6
Learner Charter
7
Guide to Command Verbs and Learning Activities
8
Achievement and Certification
9
Information, Advice, Guidance and Careers Support
10
Safeguarding, Prevent & British Values
11
Complaints and Appeals Procedure
12
Key Policies
13
Contact Us
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
1. Welcome
Welcome to SCCU, we are thrilled to have you with us and look forward to supporting with you on your learning journey, let's achieve your goals together! We believe in taking pride in all that we do, which is why we don’t simply deliver training. We create an exceptional learning experience, helping you be the architect of your future! Our Mission
“Is to create an eternal impact by giving you the tools you need to create your own destiny” .
All our services, products and brands are developed for this sole purpose. We aim to add value in the most innovative and creative ways possible in your personal and professional development on your self-discovery journey.
2. Next Steps
Once we receive your application for learning we will:
Please note: •
Learners completing E-Learning courses will be assigned an e-learning facilitator to help support you on your course. They will communicate with you within the first month of the programme. • If you have been referred by the job centre, the recruitment team will communicate the progress of your application with your work coach. • Ensure you reach out to your Tutor if you experience difficulties logging into your Teams.
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
• If you need to contact SCCU, please contact the main office on 02476 936969 or email us on aeb@sccu.uk.com.
3: Course Funding Our courses are funded by the ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency) They are responsible for adult further education and skills training in England and ensuring it is used to support economic growth.
4.Course Delivery
Course Delivery Methods
E-Learning: The curriculum will be delivered using online training materials. This is a learner- led approach, where you will take responsibility for your learning and development. Learning and assessment will take place using the following methods: • Videos • Independent research • Case studies • Question and answer • Report creation • PowerPoint presentations • Leaflet creation • Witness statements
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
The course material and assessments will be accessed through Microsoft Teams. Your Tutor will provide individual feedback on every question, in every unit. The feedback will be developmental, and will stretch and challenge your skills and knowledge, along with referencing Functional Skills needs and personal and career development. Support sessions are available as required with your personal E-Learning Facilitator and the frequency of this support will depend on your individual needs. You will be expected to have regular interaction with your learning. The minimum expectation is to undertake learning in every month for the duration of your course. Virtual Classroom: The curriculum will be delivered though taught sessions in a virtual classroom, via Microsoft Teams, where you will participate in learning sessions and complete assignments independently, and with your peers. The assignments you produce will use the following methods: • Videos • Independent research
• Group work • Case studies • Question and answer • Report creation • PowerPoint presentations • Leaflet creation • Witness statements
Your Tutor will provide individual feedback on every question, in every unit. The feedback will be developmental, and will stretch and challenge your skills and knowledge, along with referencing Functional Skills needs and personal and career development. One-to-one support sessions are available as required with your Tutor and the frequency of this support will depend on your individual needs. Along with daily group workshops being available for if you find the subject more challenging or require additional support, subject to your individual needs.
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
• You will be expected to attend sessions in your virtual classroom. These sessions take place 11:00am – 12:30pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday. Attendance at these times is mandatory. • On Monday, 11:00am – 12:30pm you will attend a group employability session delivered by our careers and wellbeing team. This session aims to support you in your next steps to employment. Our Careers and wellbeing team will support you during your course and up to 12 weeks after course completion. • For all of your learning you will need to have a Laptop/PC and Internet Access. 5. Guidance for Resubmitting Your Answers During your course, you may be asked to resubmit some questions if you have not fully met the assessment criteria. This means the question has not yet been passed. If you are using the EQUAL platform, please remember that your tutor can see your previous submission. If they have asked for an additional example or further detail, you do not need to rewrite your whole answer. Simply add the part they have highlighted. It is very important that you read your tutor’s feedback carefully so you understand what changes are needed. If anything is unclear, you can email your tutor directly to ask for clarification. If you are working on Microsoft Teams, you can change the font colour to show where you have made amendments. Please make sure you do this so your tutor can easily see your updates. Please note that you will be given three attempts to pass a unit. After the third attempt, your E-Learning Facilitator will be informed by the tutor, and your account will be closed. For this reason, it is essential that you read and understand your tutor’s feedback, make the necessary changes, and ensure your resubmission meets the criteria.
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
6. The SCCU Team
• Our Recruitment team will provide information advice and guidance and support in finding the right course for you.
• Our Enrolment team will welcome you to SCCU and make sure it is the right course for you.
• Our Administration team will process your details and organise the funding for your course. They will also claim your certificate for you when you successfully achieve.
• Your Tutor will provide feedback and guidance during your learning.
• Your E-Learning Facilitator will ensure you are making the progress needed to succeed and provide support and advice.
• Your Course Lead and our Quality Assurance team will oversee the smooth running of your course.
• Our Careers and Wellbeing team will support you in finding employment.
7. Learner Charter Our Commitment to you:
This Learner Charter outlines our promises to you and what we expect in return to ensure a productive and respectful educational experience for everyone.
• Our commitment is to provide a supportive and enriching learning environment. • We promise to deliver high-quality programmes of learning that are relevant, engaging, and designed to enhance your skills and knowledge. • Our qualified, experienced team are dedicated to your success. • We provide a safe and inclusive atmosphere where all learners are respected and valued.
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
• Our support services, including career information, advice and guidance, pastoral support, and technical guidance and are available to help you succeed. • Clear communication with prompt responses to your questions, queries and support requests. • We ensure clear and timely communication regarding course information, schedules, and any changes that may affect your learning experience. • Feedback on your progress will be provided regularly to help you stay on track. • Our online platform and classrooms are designed to provide an environment where you can thrive and succeed. • We are committed to continually improving our programmes and services based on your feedback.
Your Commitment to us:
• To actively participate and be responsible for your own learning journey. • Treat fellow learners and our team with respect and courtesy at all times. • Keep open lines of communication with our team and inform them of any issues that may affect your learning experience. • Dedicate sufficient time and effort to your studies to achieve your learning goals. • Utilise the learning materials, resources, and support services provided responsibly and ethically. • Help us to continually improve by providing honest feedback. Together, we can create a thriving educational community that supports your personal and professional development. Thank you for being a part of SCCU Group, we look forward to helping you achieve your learning goals. 8. AI Policy While the use of AI can provide significant benefits in terms of personalised learning and access to a broader range of resources, it is imperative that all learners adhere strictly to the guidelines outlined below. These guidelines are designed to ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI technologies, preventing any form of malpractice.
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
Any deviation from these guidelines may be considered malpractice and could lead to disciplinary action, including the possible revocation of qualifications. Use of AI Guidelines for Learners: • Work should be the learner’s own, and AI must not be used to plagiarise the work of others nor generate assignments (or large parts of assignments) where the learner has simply asked the AI tool to generate a general response based on the assignment brief. • Where AI tools have been used as a source of information, a learner’s acknowledgement must show the name of the AI source used and should show the date the content was generated. For example, ChatGPT 4 (https://chat.openai.com/ /), 01/01/2024. • The learner must retain a copy of the question(s) and computer-generated content for reference and authentication purposes in a non-editable format (such as a screenshot) and provide a brief explanation of how it has been used. • This must be submitted with the work, so the Tutor is able to review the work and AI-generated content to understand how it has been used by the learner to aid their understanding and assist their writing. • Where this is not submitted, and the Tutor suspects that the learner has used AI tools, this will need to be referred and actioned to ensure that the work is the learner’s own. If your tutor or IQA assessor decides they need more evidence to confirm that the work is your own, you may be asked to take part in a recorded professional discussion. Your E-Learning Facilitator will arrange this for you. During the discussion, you’ll be asked questions about your course and how you completed your assignments. This discussion is an opportunity to confirm that the work you have submitted is your own. You will need to successfully complete the professional discussion in order to pass your course. If you do not meet the required standard, this will result in not passing the course. 9. Guide to Command Verbs and Learning Activitie s To achieve your assessments successfully you must meet the course requirements set by the awarding organisation. It is important therefore that you carry out some
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
additional reading or build upon your existing knowledge to showcase your understanding. Please do not copy directly from the course content or websites. To meet the key requirements of the assessments it’s important to pay close attention to the words (below)in the question or brief; these are known as ‘command verbs’. It is important to provide thorough responses that meet all parts of the brief or question; where you do not meet all parts of the brief within your answers, your tutor will give you feedback and advice on what further work you need to complete to resubmit.
A describe answer needs you to write about the subject giving detailed information in a logical way. A define answer clearly state the meaning of a word or phrase. An outline answer should summarise the main points of the question being asked. An explain answer should see you provide detailed information about the subject with reasons showing how or why. Responses should include examples to support these reasons. An identify answer demonstrates you can show or recognise the key points and characteristics of the topic. Analyse questions requires you to break the subject down into separate parts and examine each part. This will show how the main ideas are related and why they are important. Reference to current research or theory may support your answer.
Describe
Define
Outline
Explain
Identify
Analyse
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
Evaluate requires you to examine any strengths and weaknesses, arguments for and against and/or similarities and differences. This will help you judge the evidence from the different perspectives and make a valid conclusion or reasoned judgement. Reference to current research or theory may support your answer. Justify question need a reasoned explanation for actions or decisions that you make on the questions topic. Compare answers need you to examine the subjects in detail and consider the similarities and differences. Interpret requires you to explain the meaning of the topic. Reflect answers need you to consider actions, experiences or learning and the implications of this for your practice and/or professional development.
Evaluate
Justify
Compare
Interpret
Reflect
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is using someone else's work without giving proper credit and presenting it as your own.
To prevent plagiarism:
• Always attribute ideas, words, and data to their original authors. • When rephrasing, make sure you use your own wording and structure while still crediting the original source. • Place any directly copied text within quotation marks and reference the original author or source.
We will check all submitted work using a plagiarism and AI checking tool.
If your work is identified as significant plagiarism and or AI, you will be asked to re- submit your work.
We will also provide feedback on spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
10: Achievement and Certification
Once you've completed your course, your submissions will be passed to our Quality team for moderation. Once this process has been completed will request your certificate from the awarding organisation.
Your digital certificate can take up to 12 weeks to be issued.
If you require a hardcopy certificate this will incur a cost of £40 and should be requested by emailing sharedservices@sccu.uk.com.
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
11: Information, Advice, Guidance and Careers Support Information, Advice, Guidance and Careers Support
At every stage of your apprenticeship journey, you have access to free, impartial and confidential support to help you make informed decisions about your learning, development and future career. We’re here to support you before, during and after your programme, and our team is always happy to help. If you’d like to chat about your options, contact us at 02476 936969 or hello@sccu.uk.com . A strong support system plays a big part in your success. That’s why we offer a high-quality Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) service to make sure your apprenticeship is the right fit for your goals, and that you’re supported throughout your learning journey. As part of our IAG service, you’ll have access to: • Open and easy access to up-to-date information on education, training, and career pathways • An initial skills assessment to help identify your strengths and development areas • A trained member of staff to help you explore your goals and plan your next steps • Friendly, ongoing support whenever you need it If you have any learning needs, disabilities, or personal circumstances that may affect your training, please speak to your Tutor. They will be happy to discuss the additional support that’s available to help you succeed. You can also access support through the National Careers Service , which offers impartial advice on learning, training and employment opportunities. Visit www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk or call 0800 100 900 to speak to an adviser.
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
12. Safeguarding, Prevent & British Values Safeguarding is a term used to describe the duties and responsibilities that those providing education and training have to carry out to protect individuals from harm and to feel safe.
Our safeguarding arrangements are to:
• Ensure we practise safe recruitment of staff. • Raise awareness of safeguarding issues and equip learners with the skills to keep themselves safe. • Develop and implement procedures for identifying and reporting safeguarding issues. • Provide a safe environment in which to learn and work. • Take appropriate action to ensure that learners are kept safe. • Identify and support learners who are at risk of radicalisation and make appropriate referrals for support. • Protect against the ten categories of abuse.
If you think you are being hurt or abused by another learner, member of staff, visitor or someone outside of work: Tell someone you trust about what is happening and contact a member of the SCCU safeguarding team.
Your Safeguarding Officers are responsible for keeping you safe.
Click here to report your concern
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
The Prevent duty forms a key part of our safeguarding responsibility and is part of the Government’s anti-terrorism strategy. It is intended to stop vulnerable people from being radicalised into violent extremism. Anyone who has information regarding suspected terrorist activity should report this to the police or the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321 or complete a secure online form at act.campaign.gov.uk. If someone is believed to be vulnerable to, and at risk of being drawn into radicalisation, they should be referred to one of our Designated Safeguarding Leads (named above) in the first instance who will contact the relevant Channel/Prevent panel.
As your training provider, we actively educate our learners about British Values by embedding them into our training and activities. We endorse the following fundamental British Values:
These are not exclusive to being British and are shared by other democratic countries as a way of creating an orderly society, where individual members can feel safe, valued and can contribute for the good of themselves and others. We want our team and our learners to be part of this learning experience by having a voice to express how we are doing as a training provider. If you feel that SCCU Group could do more to promote and support Safeguarding or British Values, please contact one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads who will act upon your concerns.
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
13. Complaints and Appeals Procedure
• If you are not 100% happy your learning experience, you can raise a complaint by contacting your Tutor or E-Learning Facilitator who will be able to look into your issue and support to resolve it. • If you are not happy with the solution offered by your Tutor or E-Learning Facilitator, you can raise a formal complaint in writing to the ASF Lead, who will investigate further.
ASF Lead: M aria Maqsood Email: mmaqsood @sccu.uk.com
To see our full complaints policy click the link below:
Click Me
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
14. Key Policies Health and Safety Your health and safety are paramount to us during your time with us. We want you to feel safe to learn in an environment that is right for you.
• All staff are DBS checked. • We provide advice for safe and healthy online studying. • We provide advice and guidance for you to stay safe online.
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Confidentiality In order for us to access ESFA funding for your course, we have a requirement to collect some personal information. This is all handled in line with current GDPR legislation and guidelines. Your information will be kept securely and then destroyed when it is no longer required. Your information may be used for education, training, employment , and well-being-related purposes, including research.
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For all other policies you can visit our Policy Portal by clicking here.
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
15. Contact Us
If you have any queries regarding your enrolment, please email our Enrolment department: enrolments@sccu.uk.com If you have any questions regarding your certificate, please email our Administration department: sharedservices@sccu.uk.com
If you already know who your Tutor and/or E -Learning Facilitator is please contact them directly.
SCCU ASF Learner Handbook 25/26
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