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Supporting Your Career in Health and Social Care: Q&A with Claire Halfpenny

CLAIRE HALFPENNY WEB 2

Our Health and Social Care courses can help adult learners to gain the industry skills needed to fulfil a rewarding career in this sector. I've been in their shoes as an adult learner, so I love to support them every step of the way.

Claire Halfpenny, Tutor and Assessor: Health and Social Care

Which part-time courses do you teach?

I teach the Level 3 Adult Care and Healthcare Diplomas and NSCG’s Health and Social Care apprenticeships. We have recently launched the brand new Level 2 Adult Care Certificate which we have achieved accreditation for which is really exciting.

How did you get into teaching?

I previously worked in adult care and hospital settings and I actually completed my own Level 2,3 and 4 care qualifications at Newcastle College. My assessor asked if I’d be interested in qualifying as an assessor, and as I have always enjoyed helping others, I jumped at the chance to step into the world of education. I then completed my teaching qualification which enabled me to teach both apprentices and adult learners in the classroom.

How do you support adult learners to feel comfortable returning to education?

Having completed my own courses at NSCG as an adult learner, I know exactly how it feels to be them. All of our learners are supported with an in-depth induction so that they know exactly what to expect on their learning journey with us. This helps them to feel comfortable in the college environment, their classroom set-up and their course content. My teaching style is relaxed and supportive and I love helping learners to grown in confidence.

What key transferrable industry skills do your courses offer?

Already working in important roles, learners will be able to recognise the skills needed in terms of being caring, compassionate and empathetic. We help them to develop their soft skills around effective communication and tolerance. In addition, we help learners to apply their knowledge in difficult and complex situations and find realistic solutions to solve these scenarios. Key skills such as English writing and language skills are also developed on our courses and we support learners to think about their next steps such as a promotion, university level study, updating CVs and becoming more confident with their workplace documentation. The care sector is a key area which faces staff shortages so we work closely with employers to support learner development for a long-term career in this rewarding sector.

What would your advice be to anyone thinking about returning to education?

Really think about what you want to achieve in your life. Come along to an open event or visit the NSCG website to see what’s on offer. We also offer a one-to-one appointment service to meet with you and discuss the best course options for you, so we can help you to overcome any barriers to learning you may have.