Celebrating Young People’s Achievements Through Accredited Support Work
We’re excited to share some brilliant news about how we’re strengthening the support we offer to children and young people across our services.
From March onwards, any young person receiving one-to-one support work or attending our Connect workshops will now be working towards nationally recognised accreditation through the AQA Unit Award Scheme.
This new development is being delivered in collaboration with NT&AS, and it means that the learning, progress, and personal achievements young people demonstrate during sessions can now be formally recognised and celebrated.
Turning Everyday Progress Into Recognised Awards
Connect workshops and tailored support sessions already focus on helping young people grow in confidence, develop practical life skills, manage emotions, and explore their strengths.
Now, the same activities will also contribute towards accredited AQA units—providing certificates that recognise:
Communication and teamwork
Emotional wellbeing and resilience
Independent living skills
Creative expression
Problem-solving and goal setting
This is about more than paperwork—it’s about showing young people just how far they’ve come, giving them something tangible to be proud of, and helping them build confidence for the future.
Inside Our Connect Workshops
Our Youth Worker Paul delivering a cookery workshop
Our Connect workshops provide a safe, supportive space where young people can learn, reflect, and try new things. Whether it’s preparing a simple meal, taking part in group challenges, or getting creative with art and crafts, every activity is designed to encourage participation, independence, and self-belief.
With the Unit Award Scheme now embedded into these sessions, young people can see their efforts transformed into recognised achievements—something they can carry forward into education, training, or employment.
Recognising Progress in One-to-One Support Work
Individual support work plays a vital role for many of the young people we work with. These sessions can focus on emotional wellbeing, confidence-building, managing change, or preparing for independence.
Why This Matters
For some young people, traditional classroom learning hasn’t always been easy. The AQA Unit Award Scheme offers a flexible and inclusive way to recognise progress—celebrating achievements in bite-sized steps and valuing personal development just as much as academic success.
By embedding this into our Connect workshops and support work, we’re ensuring that every milestone—big or small—counts.
Looking Ahead
We’re incredibly proud to be rolling out this new approach and grateful to our partners at NT&AS for helping make it possible. This update will also feature in our March newsletter so carers can stay informed about how young people are being supported and celebrated.
We can’t wait to see the first certificates being awarded—and to share the successes of the amazing young people we work with. 🌟