Extended Certificate in Uniformed Protective Services – Level 3

If you have a keen interest in joining Uniformed Public Services such as the Army, Navy, Marines, Royal Air Force, Ambulance Service, Police or Fire and Rescue Service, this programme develops your knowledge and skills, while also providing you with qualifications such as Safeguarding and First Aid.

In both practical and theoretical settings, you will study advanced concepts in teamwork, leadership and communication, behaviour and discipline, and criminology, before moving on to study citizenship, government and physical preparation in subsequent years. This is the first year in a suite of Level 3 qualifications.

The entry requirements for this course are for the majority of your GCSEs to be graded between 7-4 including English and Maths. Should your grade profile support this, then a resit in English or Maths will be considered.

Any achievements in BTEC Public Services qualifications at Level 2 will only be considered if at Merit or Distinction grade.

You are expected to maintain high standards of discipline, punctuality and attendance. It is essential that you work to the deadlines set or you risk not achieving your programme of study.

Practical sessions are compulsory, so you must be physically able to take part in both indoor and outdoor sessions.

You will also be expected to volunteer at selected weekends throughout the year as students on this course engage in supporting a range of community and regional events. This will mean that weekends may be part of the academic timetable in order to fulfil work experience placements.

The course is made up of four units which include:

• Behaviour and Discipline in the UPS
• Team Work, Leadership and Communication
• Police Powers and Law
• Introduction to Criminology

It also includes a tutorial session to monitor your progress, set targets, support your main programme of study, help your future progression and enhance your life skills. You may also complete Safeguarding and First Aid qualifications as part of your study programme.

You need to be aware that certain volunteering events and work placements take place at weekends or evenings and you will be expected to attend these. We ask that you understand this expectation before you commit to other activities as many events depend on your involvement to enable them to run safely and efficiently.

You have to fulfil a minimum of 54 hours of work placement. Many of these hours will be offered to you through our existing partnerships with employers.

This course will be delivered on-site. You are encouraged to bring your own device to aid your studies. You will succeed with a ‘can do’ attitude, self-discipline and a positive mindset.

You will need to have a uniform that is worn every day and when you are on work experience. The minimum expectation for the uniform is that you wear a plain black T-shirt or polo shirt and sweatshirt etc. 

All learners would benefit from having their own tablet or laptop to aid them with their studies.

There may be additional costs incurred for selected trips or visits.

You will build an online portfolio based around evidence generated by the various assessment methods in each unit. You are expected to work on multiple assessments at any one time. You will be assessed through practical demonstrations, logbooks and performance records, written reports and essays, presentations, workbooks, discussions and vivas.

Unit 2: Behaviour and Discipline is assessed via an externally set and marked exam.

Your attendance will be monitored with the expectation of maintaining over 95% attendance throughout the course.

Further Study

On successful completion of this programme, students should expect to enrol on Year 2 of the suite of courses:

• Level 3 Diploma / Extended Diploma in Uniformed Protective Services (Years 2/3)

You could then progress to the Level 5 Foundation Degree in Criminology (Offender Management).

Careers

You may also wish to seek voluntary or paid employment in the Public Services or security industry as a door supervisor, CCTV operator, security guard or to apply for the special constabulary or reservist defence forces. You do not, of course, have to enter the Public Services as the skills gained on this course are transferable to a wider range of job areas. 

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk or tweet us @ derbycollegeps