Thistle Foundation is sad to announce that we have suspended our 2011 intakes for the HEC in ‘Person Centred Approaches’.
We have been delivering this award-winning course in partnership with Queen Margaret University (QMU) since 2002, but recent and ongoing changes in funding arrangements for social care organisations across Scotland have forced us to take the difficult decision.
Some 500 social care workers from organisations across Scotland have been through the course, which won a Care Accolade in 2010 for ‘Investing in the Workforce’.
Diana Paton, Chief Executive of Thistle Foundation said “this was a very difficult decision to make, but we do want to take this opportunity to reassure the 160 students still on the course that we remain committed to enabling them to complete the current course by mid 2012.”
Frances Scott, Qualifications and Standards Manager from the Scottish Social Services Council, that recognises and validates the qualification for social care workers, said “the current SSSC position is that any registrant from a part of the register for which the HEC award is currently accepted would continue to have that award accepted even if it ceases to exist”.
Diana Paton echoed this by saying “students past and present can be assured that their qualification remains valid, valued and recognised by SSSC for the long term.”
Sam Smith, Executive Director of C-Change for Inclusion commented, “Over the years we have viewed the HEC as the training of choice for team leaders and support workers. Employees have greatly valued the HEC training... (and) we have nothing but praise for the commitment of the HEC course tutors and their unstinting support to the students we have put forward for the HEC over the years.
Thistle Foundation remains committed to the development of quality accredited training opportunities, applicable to the delivery of innovative, personalised services and SSSC registration.
Please contact Nikki Bruce or Louise Kelly at Thistle Foundation for further information about Thistle’s future plans regarding training for social care staff in Scotland.
