Teaching support qualification
The 11 Mandatory Units
The complete mandatory-unit structure for the NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning.
Official unit structure
Knowledge and practical competence for supporting learning
NCFE's qualification specification lists 11 mandatory units. Together they carry 32 credits and 225 guided learning hours. Units identified as knowledge and skills require workplace evidence from a school or college placement.
Unit 1 · SWSC1 · H/616/5424
Understand schools and colleges as organisations
Introduces education settings, their purpose, structure, policies and the roles of the people who work within them.
- Type
- Knowledge
- Credits
- 2
- GLH
- 15
Unit 2 · SWSC2 · K/616/5425
Understand children and young people's development
Covers expected development, influences on progress, transitions and ways to respond when development causes concern.
- Type
- Knowledge
- Credits
- 3
- GLH
- 20
Unit 3 · SWSC5 · F/616/5429
Safeguarding children and young people
Explains safeguarding responsibilities, signs of possible harm, reporting procedures and safe professional practice.
- Type
- Knowledge
- Credits
- 3
- GLH
- 20
Unit 4 · STL2C4 · K/616/5442
Understand how to promote an effective learning environment
Looks at inclusive, safe and engaging environments that help pupils participate, learn and make progress.
- Type
- Knowledge
- Credits
- 3
- GLH
- 20
Unit 5 · STL2C5 · M/616/5443
Maintain relationships with children and young people
Develops respectful communication, professional boundaries and positive relationships that support pupils' wellbeing and learning.
- Type
- Knowledge and skills
- Credits
- 3
- GLH
- 20
Unit 6 · STL2C6 · M/616/5457
Support the health and safety of children and young people
Covers risk awareness, safe working, accident and emergency procedures, and supporting pupils' health and security.
- Type
- Knowledge and skills
- Credits
- 3
- GLH
- 30
Unit 7 · STL2C7 · M/616/5460
Promote positive behaviour in a learning environment
Builds understanding of behaviour expectations and practical ways to encourage participation, consistency and self-management.
- Type
- Knowledge and skills
- Credits
- 4
- GLH
- 20
Unit 8 · STL2C8 · A/616/5462
Contribute to teamwork in a learning environment
Focuses on communication, shared responsibilities, working with colleagues and contributing reliably to the education team.
- Type
- Knowledge and skills
- Credits
- 3
- GLH
- 20
Unit 9 · STL2C9 · J/616/5464
Understand children and young people's play and leisure
Explores how play and leisure contribute to development, wellbeing, relationships and learning at different ages.
- Type
- Knowledge
- Credits
- 3
- GLH
- 20
Unit 10 · STL2C10 · R/616/5466
Promote an effective learning environment
Requires practical demonstration of preparing resources and environments that are safe, inclusive and appropriate for learning activities.
- Type
- Knowledge and skills
- Credits
- 3
- GLH
- 25
Unit 11 · STL2C11 · D/616/5468
Provide displays in a learning environment
Covers planning, creating and maintaining displays that communicate information and celebrate or support pupils' learning.
- Type
- Knowledge and skills
- Credits
- 2
- GLH
- 15
Information checked 22 June 2026 against the official NCFE qualification specification, version 2.2, for qualification reference 603/2476/4. Unit summaries are plain-language overviews and do not replace the learning outcomes or assessment criteria in the specification.