Paediatric Sleep Counselling Awarded SCQF Accreditation
Building on 27 years of expertise, Sleep Action’s Paediatric Sleep Counselling, empowering health and social care professionals and supporting young people with additional support needs, is recognised with SCQF accreditation
April 8, 2024 – Sleep Action, formerly Sleep Scotland, the UK’s oldest sleep charity, proudly announces its Paediatric Sleep Counselling course has achieved Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) at level 7 and 4 credit points.
This prestigious recognition underscores the quality and rigour of the programme and the high standard of training set by the SCQF. Sleep Action’s Paediatric Sleep Counselling has a legacy spanning over 25 years as the leading sleep training for health and social care professionals, providing a vital lifeline for children and young people with additional support needs and their families facing the immense pressures added to by disrupted sleep.
Sleep Action’s network of 1,500 Sleep Counsellors across the UK and Ireland plays a vital role in improving the health and wellbeing of young people with additional support needs.
Sleep disorders disproportionately impact the lives of children and young people with learning disabilities. Statistics show that sleep disorders affect 15% to 19% of adolescents with no disability, rising to between 26% to 36% among children and young people with moderate learning disabilities and a staggering 44% among those with severe learning disabilities[i].
Head of Sleep Services, Alyson O’Brien, said of the announcement, “I am delighted to announce SCQF accreditation for our Paediatric Sleep Counselling training, which reinforces the importance of sleep as the foundation for the overall health and wellbeing of children and young people with additional support needs. Disrupted sleep can intensify physical challenges, worsening conditions such as chronic pain and affecting mobility, as well as exacerbate emotional difficulties like anxiety and depression, leading to frustration, social isolation and challenging behaviours. This accreditation recognises the vital role Sleep Counsellors play in supporting young people with additional support needs and their families to sleep better and improve their quality of life.”
With this accreditation, trainees and service managers can be confident that they are receiving a credible and valuable education, enhancing professional qualifications and career prospects, supporting children and young people with additional support needs to improve their sleep.
This SCQF accreditation will go into effect for the next training cohort beginning 10th of June. Sleep Action will soon share steps to begin backdating accreditation for previous trainees. Details to follow.
Further information on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework, including how this SCQF level translates to other qualifications across the UK and Ireland, can be found on their website.
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