Last updated: 01 Sep 2008

Delivery of the new Diploma in society, health and development (SHD) commenced in September 2008. While the Diploma offers exciting choices and opportunities to young people, it has highlighted the need for new teaching materials to support consortia involved in the delivery of this new qualification.

This need will be addressed by a range of materials being developed currently to support the learning of students following the society, health and development line of learning. The new guidance materials for teachers will focus on opportunities for applied learning, and are being developed collaboratively, with QCA working in partnership with the SHD Diploma Development Partnership and the awarding bodies accredited for delivery in September 2008 and September 2009.

Recognising the challenges presented by applied learning in this sector, experienced practitioners in the fields of Health, Adult Social Care, Community Justice, and Children and Young People's Workforce have been recruited to develop materials which will make applied learning realistic and relate to the world of work.

Two strands of work will complement QCA's existing curriculum guidance resources - generic resources provided by the Diploma Development Partnership, and specific resources provided by awarding bodies relating to their principal learning specifications. This will add up to a comprehensive support package around principal learning teaching, developed specifically for society, health and development, but with the potential to act as a model for other lines of learning in the future.

Materials are being developed in phases and will be posted on the respective websites of the DDP and the awarding bodies as each phase is completed, beginning in September 2008. You can access these resources from below.

Resources currently available:

• the Diploma development partnership for society, health and development