NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma for Entry to the Uniformed Services

Who is this course for?

This course is for students considering a career in the Police, Customs, Prison Service, Fire Service, Army, or Navy and will give an in-depth understanding of the principles of the Uniformed Services sector. It will provide a basis for further study and progression towards a career in a specific service. Learners will come away with an insight into the practical qualities the industry requires, not only for uniformed services but also for employment in general.

What are the entry requirements for the course?

You will need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or higher, one of these must be either Maths or English Language.

How long is this course?

A full-time two-year programme beginning in September and ending in June.

What will I study on this course?

There are eighteen units to be completed.

Four units are mandatory and cover the core aspects of the Uniformed Public Services sector, these are:

Prepare for a Career in a chosen Uniformed Service – learners will explain different careers in the uniformed services and then explore a chosen uniformed service. Learners will also identify their own goals and targets to achieve entry to a uniformed service. Learners will then prepare a CV, personal profile or application and take part in a real or simulated interview. Following this, learners will evaluate their performance and suggest areas for development.

Develop Aspects of Physical Fitness for Entry to the Uniformed Services – learners will develop an understanding of health and wellbeing that contribute to physical fitness. Learners will identify their own level of physical fitness, then plan and participate in a training programme to develop aspects of their physical fitness to meet entry standards of a uniformed service. Learners will also evaluate the effectiveness of the training programme by reviewing the content.

Develop Leadership Skills – learners will investigate different styles of leadership whilst identifying their own. Learners must then demonstrate their leadership skills by planning and preparing a team task using communication and feedback. Learners will then evaluate their own skills in the team task to develop their own leadership skills.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – learners will examine the meaning of equality, diversity and inclusion. Learners will also understand radicalisation, as well as British values and standards. Learners will review the impact that radicalisation, extremism and terrorism have had on society.

Uniformed Services Hierarchy and Routine – learners will investigate the general duties of service routine as well as understanding the hierarchical chain of command and the implications of not following service routine and duties in the uniformed services. The learner will know about and demonstrate drill movements and then review their own performance

Carry out Map Reading and Navigation Across Open Country – learners will know about safety requirements when navigating routes. Using this knowledge, learners will plan and navigate a route across open country, prepare route cards and deliver a safety brief to participants. Learners will then evaluate their own map reading and navigation skills.

Outdoor and Adventurous Expeditions – learners will describe different types of expedition. They will plan and undertake different types of expeditions. Learners will then carry out a review of the expeditions and produce a personal development plan based on the review.

Understanding Discipline in the Uniformed Services – learners will explain the need for discipline and describe what is meant by obedience and conformity. They will understand the nature of
authority and the different types of authority needed as the situation demands. They will develop and demonstrate their own self-discipline skills over the course of the qualification.

Crime Scene Investigation – learners will research the principles of crime scene management and carry out an investigation of a crime scene, securing evidence and producing a crime scene report. They will analyse outcomes of the data gathered and consider possible scenarios in order to reach a conclusion.

Mental and Physical Wellbeing – learners will understand the factors that can affect physical and mental wellbeing and why these are important in the uniformed services. The learner must produce a plan for a healthy lifestyle and keep a diary. Learners will also review and amend their plan.

Understanding Conflict Management and Personal Protection – learners will investigate hazardous situations, personal space, signs of aggression and the importance of vigilance. Learners will also understand and demonstrate self-defence techniques for personal protection and the implications of taking physical action in conflict situations.

Influences on Uniformed Services – learners will examine the sectors of government that influence the uniformed services and research the roles of a range of international organisations with which they co-operate. They will research the impact of the judicial process on uniformed service personnel and explain how the media affects public perception of uniformed services.

What Qualification will I gain?

NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma for Entry to the Uniformed Services.

Will I go out on work experience?

Work experience and volunteering opportunities are available, but there will be limitations on frontline work in the Uniformed Sector due to age restrictions.

What does this course lead on to?

Higher Education: Successful completion of the course will allow learners to progress to the FdA Psychology with Criminology at University College Jersey (UCJ), Highlands College, universities in the UK and further afield. **Not all UK universities accept this qualification, research is therefore strongly advised. (48 – 168 UCAS points).

Employment within the sector could include:

How much will it cost?

The are no fees for this course but all students must obtain a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (£45) and enrol on the Update Service (£13)

How can I find out more?

For further information, please contact the Highlands College Admissions team on 608582 or email: fulltimeapplications@highlands.ac.uk

Additional Information

There is also the option to undertake the Duke of Edinburgh Silver and Gold awards, in addition to undertaking overseas expeditions.

All 6th form courses are subject to minimum enrolment numbers. Where a course does not meet the required number it will be reluctantly cancelled for that academic year. Applicants will be contacted and offered a transfer to another course if a suitable one is available.

Anyone who has been out of education for longer than 6 months will be invited for interview. Following interview, the application will be referred to a review panel.

International students should contact Jersey Immigration on immigration@gov.je before making an application.