Below is an example of a 2 year course, our courses are designed to suit all learners click on the following link for further information.
http://www.chesterfield.ac.uk/chesterfield-college/courses/public_services.html
If you are a cadet or have been a cadet some of your cadet experiences can often help you achieve grades at college ?
We are recruiting now -
EDEXCEL/BTEC NATIONAL DIPLOMA IN UNIFORMED PUBLIC
SERVICES
Duration: 2 Years
Who is the course for?
Students wishing a career in the Police, Armed Forces, Fire Service, Ambulance Service, etc., who have successfully met
the entry requirements for this course.
What do I need?
4 GCSEs Grade ‘C’ and above.
BTEC First Diploma Public Services (Merits with overall Distinctions) or relevant BTEC First/Level 2 course with a Merit
Portfolio.
What will I study?
YEAR 1
Team Leadership in the Uniformed Public Services
The ability to lead teams is critical to the uniformed services. This unit introduces the principles and importance of team
leadership in a public service context.
Team Development in Public Services
Effective and efficient teams are an essential element of the work conducted by the uniformed services. When people work
in teams, it improves the service provided. This unit introduces how to work within a team and the skills needed for success.
Diversity and Public Services.
The UK is continuing to develop as a diverse society. This unit explores the roles of the uniformed services and how they
meet the needs of a diverse society. The NCFE Level 2 Equality and Diversity qualification is currently studied alongside the
course enhancing your future application form for your chosen uniformed services career.
Physical Preparation for Public Services.
Workers in the uniformed service need to be physically fit as their roles are physically demanding. This unit looks at the
fitness requirements of the different uniformed services and prepares students for these entry tests.
Outdoor and Adventurous Activities
Mapwork expeditions have been taken place by uniformed services for centuries. This unit will develop their self-confidence,
interpersonal skills and leadership skills in a safe learning environment. These skills will be developed via practical mapwork
skills and includes day walking trips and a residential.
Uniformed Services Employment
This unit looks at the application and selection process, basic training programmes, conditions of service, the skills required
in uniformed services and jobs in each of the uniformed services to help make a personal career development plan.
Communication and Technology in the Uniformed Services.
The ability to communicate using different technologies is an essential skill in all uniformed services. This unit allows the
student to practice and develop radio procedures, written communications and explore other technologies used by the
uniformed services in practical situations.
Responding to Emergency Services Incidents
The aim of this unit is to give an awareness and understanding of the different roles and responsibilities undertaken by
emergency services when responding to emergency incidents. The unit will also explore the roles of crime scene
investigation, accident investigation, fire investigation and the health and safety executive.
Understanding the Criminal Justice System and Police Powers
This unit provides the learner with an introduction to powers of police officers regarding arrest, detention and questioning of
those suspected of committing a criminal offence, and the rights of those suspects. It then looks at the criminal justice system
and outlines the key stages in criminal prosecutions.
What will I study? (continued)
YEAR 2
Government Policies and the services
Introduces the political legal system and how Government Policies affect the Public Services. This is a key unit for those
who want to go up the career ladder in their chosen career.
Citizenship, Contemporary Society and the public services
This unit focuses on the definition of a citizen in terms of legal, humanitarian and political understanding and is the basis for
how individuals are treated by any of the uniformed services.
Understanding Discipline in the Uniformed Services
Discipline plays a major role in uniformed services. This unit examines why discipline is required and demonstrate self-
discipline and acceptance of authority. As part of the course you will be undertaking drill and marching – essential elements
within a uniformed service.
International Perspectives.
This unit examines how international events, such as the recent war in Iraq and agencies affect the uniformed services and
how they are used for humanitarian, disaster relief programmes, combating terrorism.
Skills for Water-based Outdoor and Adventurous Activities
Uniformed services such as the Fireservice or Armed Forces often use outdoor activities such as canoeing and kayaking to
improve teambuilding and leadership skills, fitness and personal development. Nationally recognised certificates can be
gained from this practical unit. There is usually a residential associated with this unit which carries an extra cost. Students
currently contribute £100 towards the hiring of equipment for this unit in addition to a week-long residential. Students have
the choice to study this unit or the Custodial Care.
Crime and Its Effects on Society
This unit gives an awareness and understanding of the current theories concerning criminal activity, deviant behaviour and
contributory factors that lead to criminality and anti-social behaviour.
Command and Control in the Uniformed Services
Each public service has to deal with a
This unit examines rank structure
The Planning for Management of Major Incidents
Major incidents such as rail crashes, bombings and flooding require the emergency services, armed forces, local authorities,
aid agencies and other organisations to put into place an incident plan, often at short notice. This practical unit looks at the
role of each of these agencies and how they work together to ensure minimum effects on people and the environment.
Understanding Behaviour in Public Sector Employment
This unit introduces an understanding of the different psychological approaches and their benefit and use in a public service
environment. The unit looks at how people should work in public sector organisations in terms of discipline, communication
and behaviour and also at how to overcome conflict between groups and individuals.
Custodial Care and the Individual
This unit explores the need to security, offender behaviour and resettlement of offenders. Students will examine the role of a
prison officer in terms of understanding and controlling offenders and the day-to-day running of a prison environment. This
unit is currently taught by prison officers from HMP Moorland prison. This unit is aimed at those students who wish to pursue
a career in either the Prison Service or Police Service. Students have the choice to study this unit or the Water-based
Outdoor unit.
What will I gain?
EDEXCEL/BTEC National Diploma in Uniformed Public Services.
Where will this lead?
HE entry, employment in the Public Sector, eg Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance Service, Armed Forces.
Methods of assessment:
• Integrated assignments
• Case Studies
• Project work
• Presentations
• Time constrained assessments
Applying for the course
Please be aware that if you have a criminal record or a medical condition there are some occupations where you will find it
difficult to gain employment. When you apply for a career in the emergency services or armed forces you will be asked to
complete a criminal record declaration form.
As part of every uniformed service equality and diversity statement every case is considered on an individual basis but there
are some pre-existing conditions such as epilepsy, asthma, hearing, eyesight, country of origin and broken joints that may
prevent you from joining a uniformed service. Height and weight restrictions still apply to certain jobs within the armed
forces.
Students who wish to be considered for the course should apply in the usual way. They should be aware that the course is
intensive and therefore they need commitment and a conscientious attitude to succeed. For you interview you should supply
a 500 word handwritten statement of the career job you wish to enter, what skills are needed for this job and how do you
meet those skills. This will allow the teaching team to make a correct decision on offering a place on the course.
There is a strong element of fitness on the course, which, in addition to the academic requirements, forms the basis of any
career in Public Services. Students will work on a variety of assignments throughout the year and will be expected to make
use of investigative skills in both individual and group situations.
A series of visiting speakers and excursions will be offered to the students and these will add to their experience of the Public
Service sector and help with the completion of assignment work. Visiting speakers (and sometimes excursions) are given by
serving Public Service men and women who often give up their free time to accommodate our programme. These are
sometimes available at short notice and may happen when students are not timetabled to be in College. Therefore it is vitally
important that students do not take up part-time work during Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Costs
There are costs attached to any trips, visits and excursions. These are minimum cost and are a contribution towards the total
cost of all day trips and residentials and are paid for by the student. The current costs for day trips and visits for the year will
be approximately £200.00. On enrolment in September an initial payment of £100 is required followed by a further £50 in
November and a final payment of £50 in February. This includes:
1 two and a half day initial induction residential including transport and food in approximately week 4 of your course.
3 x one-day visit to the Peak District as part of the Skills and Mapwork units
1 day trip to a law court
1 week outdoor activities residential to Coniston in the Lake District in May / June time
1 set of multi-purpose boots
1 set of combat trousers
1 Orange T-shirt (for fitness)
1 Blue Polo Shirt
1 shower proof jacket
Students will conform to the corporate identity of Public Services via a uniform programmes during all activities such as
lessons, sport, visiting speakers, residentials and visits. This identity has helped to improve your chances of getting the
uniformed services job of your choice.
Students should also be aware that for the mapreading unit of the course they will require waterproof clothing and a
rucksack.
Students are encouraged to take part in related outside activities, such as the Air Cadets, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
scheme, Army Cadets, Sea Cadets or voluntary work. Occasionally the Army, RAF and Royal Navy offer day trips and / or
residentials to students who are interested in a career with them. They may charge a cost to cover transport and food.
Community involvement is becoming an essential part of Public Service entry requirements. Students are encouraged to
undertake a community-based work placement that is linked to the Vinvolved Volunteers Award.
If you require any confidential guidance on these matters please contact our Advice and Guidance team, or alternatively
tutors in the department.
Subject to funding, and availability, the following assistance can be requested by anyone attending a college course:-
• Additional one-to-one support for people with specific learning difficulties
• Interpreters
• Care officers
• Mobility officers, for the visually impaired
• Assessment to find out what your needs are and how best they can be helped
• Assistance with travel
Please Note
• Where costs are quoted in this document they are correct at the time of publication, but may be changed
• Timetables are given as an indication only, these may vary
• Weeks shown are the maximum number expected
• The formation of a class is conditional on enrolments which the College considers sufficient
• The College reserves the right to close or reduce the hours of any class for which the attendance has ceased to
justify its continuance.
• All classes are filled on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.
For Further Details
For further information, please contact:
Information Office
Chesterfield College
Infirmary Road
Chesterfield S41 7NG.
Tel: Chesterfield (01246) 500500 Ext 1562.
Course Code: 11671168
Revised Date: 06/03/2009
Topic Code: PU01
http://www.chesterfield.ac.uk/chesterfield-college/courses/public_services.html
