These Units were first developed in 2003 after the introduction of the Independent Units. The Supported Units were developed in response to an SQA consultation on Access 1 provision which showed clear evidence of a need for a new category of Access 1 Unit that would allow candidates that may always need a level of adult support to gain certification within the national framework. The Supported Units were developed for delivery to candidates with a variety of support needs and nine specific levels of support were identified. It was agreed that candidates would be certificated nationally for achieving Supported Units at Access 1 but that the specific support level candidates required in order to achieve the Units, should be recorded and held locally by centres.
The main purpose of Supported Access 1 Units is to ensure that candidates who may always need a level of adult support can be included in the national system of qualifications. The Units recognise the importance of offering these candidates an enriched practical experience that incorporates a sensory approach to learning and does not require higher-order cognitive skills (such as planning, reviewing and evaluating) to achieve the Unit Outcomes.
There are ten Supported Access 1 Units. To download the Unit specification click on the Unit name:
Assessment of Supported Level Access 1 Units is based on the level of support required by the candidate to ensure access to the learning experience. It is recommended that centres keep a record of each candidate's progress while undertaking this Unit. Each Unit specification contains an Appendix which can be used to record the level of support for individual candidates to achieve each Performance Criteria, Outcome and the overall Unit.
The level of support required by candidates is not recorded on the Scottish Qualifications Certificate and the recording sheet is not therefore needed for SQA verification purposes. However it is recommended that centres retain the completed recording sheets as an aid to track candidate progress and they can be used to pass information to receiving centres where candidates are transferred or move on. It is recommended that this record of candidate progress is made available to any other centre which the candidate attends. It may also be included in the candidate's IEP, PLP or Progress File.
The recording sheet included space for up to three assessments in case the centre wants to re-assess the candidate at later stages to see if the level of support required has improved. It should be noted, however, that candidates cannot be certificated more than once for a Unit and the certificate states only that a candidate has achieved an Access 1 level Unit, it does not state the level of support required.
Candidates functioning at an experiential level, where they will always need total adult physical support to engage in the sensory learning experience.
E2 (Experiential 2)
Candidates functioning at an experiential level, where through familiarity of routine and total adult support, may progress to functioning in some aspects of the learning experience at awareness level.
A (Awareness)
Candidates functioning at an awareness level, where through familiarity of routine and total adult support, may progress to functioning in some aspects of the sensory learning experience at a participation level.
P (Participation)
Candidates functioning at participation level, where through familiarity of routine and total adult support, may progress to functioning in some aspects of the practical task with reduced adult support.
CP (Constant Prompting)
Candidates who require constant prompting to engage in the practical task.
RP (Reduced Prompting)
Candidates who require reduced prompting to engage in the practical task
IS (Intermittent Support)
Candidates, who through familiarity of routine, become independent in most aspects of the practical task, but may always require intermittent adult support for specific aspects of the practical task.
Ind (Independent)
Candidates, who through familiarity of routine, become independent in most aspects of the practical task and maintain the skills learnt.
CA (Cognitive Ability)
Candidates with significant motor impairment, who require the total physical support of an adult to engage in the practical task, but whose cognitive ability allows them to understand either element of the process, or the whole process.