Those of you doing/done distance learning.......

[SilveryMoon]

Have you heard of/used
these?
I've spotted a course I'd like to do, but never heard of them and am a bit anxious about handing over £300. What if it's a scam? Would it be a scam?
I'm protected if it's on a credit card though aren't I?

What do you want to study?

The course I'm interested in is Social Work with Children and Families Level 4 NCFE

Haha, in the link I posted, the course I want is already in my basket but I then bottled it and thought I'd check here first, see if anyone could help me

Hmm. Well, my inclination would be to see if the OU or your local uni do something similar and at least compare prices.

Gah. ds awake. Must dash!

Ok thanks Habbibu
I've looked at a few sites including OU and this is the best priced and covers exactly what I've been looking for, but as it's rather cheap in comparrison, I just don't know whether to chance it or not

bump

I agree with Habbibu, you should consider the OU first. I'm doing a degree with them (bet you can't guess what subject ) and it's great.

You may be able to get funding, depending on your income (my entire degree is free! Couldn't possibly do it otherwise) - not sure if it'd apply to you, but they have a financial advice line.

I've always looked at those adverts for other companies with suspicion TBH. You never know how good the resources and support are or (in some cases) if they're proper accredited courses - and most importantly if a future employer would think it was a decent qualification.

Is there some kind of social work employment advice place/helpline where you can ask about it?

Sorry I'm waffling, really must go and get on with some studying

Thatnks MMM *I'll try the OU again, but really don't think I qualify for financial support as I don't claim benefits or anything like that

Nope, not qualifying for funds from the ou.

You say it's cheaper - how much cheaper if it's a lot then there must be a reason why?

That's what I'm thinking Katymac It covers a wide area, it's not a degree but NCFE which I believe is equivelant to NVQ??????? Which is what I want.

Think I'll give the ou a call at 9 and see if tehre's anything I'm missing

See, I don't need a full degree at this time. Atm, I want to get into a family support role with a long-term goal of completeling a degree and becoming a qualified social worker, but for now a lower qualification to get me into the field at low level is fine. I'm thinking out-reach worker, family support worker etc etc.

SM- you've probably done this, but what about calling someone in social services and getting their opinion on this qualification and importantly, whether it gives access to higher qualifications?

Whilst some courses claim they are equivalent to something else, employers dont always view these as such, or at least dont view them as substitutable.

eg you can say X NVQs = 1 A level, but if an employer wants A-levels, they want A-levels.

Prob just worth checking before you pay up.

best of luck with your studies.

That's really good advise could put a call out on but you on here; I even think their are SW tutors on here

T%hanks guys

Check it out on the NDAQ - it's something like acccreditedqualifications.org - and see whether they're offering it cheap because it's an expired qualification.

A lot of cheap teaching assistant courses are actually expired and still offered by some firms, which makes me very cautious!

I would pay the money and go for the OU.

Just looked at that site frakkit It's on there. Gonna go back now and look at all the liks

You don't have to do a full degree with OU, and so some shorter courses may offer you all you need atm. And OU is very well respected.

Habbibu I must be a little thick as I can't find anything on there apart from undergraduate or post gradute courses.
I've found an access to higher education course that's available at kingston college, so will call them monday and see what info they can give me re fees/funds/grants/childcare if any.

I will have another look on the ou site too.

Oh, hold on, I can smell poo. Ds2's nappy does look quite heavy

Will be back

OU is entirely modular - you do as many or as few courses as you like. If you do enough in particular subjects you get certificates, diplomas or degrees.

these are certs inhealth and social care

And these are social work courses. For most youdo need to be registered for the degree, but this is an inttro course which might suit you

Thanks Habbibu Will have a look at your links in a sec

OU accept Tesco clubcard vouchers for entry level courses if that helps.

Thanks for the links. I've been looking at those and am just amazed at the fees! I already checked with them about financial help and I don't qualify.
Anyway, going to talk to local colleges tomorrow morning.

Can I get a bursary for home study I wonder?

Just a little advice that may help. The council runs what they call 'investor in people' and if you can get a minor office role and express an interest you actually get the full qualifications at university through the council whilst working for them. My partner did this. He was only doing pest control and needed no qualifications for it, and decided to become an environmental health officer and did this all the way through to degree whilst earning with them and is now an eho. Bloody hard work though and took him ten years as he had no qualifications.

Thanks Abip. Will look into it.