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Application Guidance

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About the Professional Development Award in Technology Enabled Care

The Professional Development Award in Technology Enabled Care is ideal for:

  • Those who are new to or interested in digital health and care.
  • Staff and teams looking to upskill to meet service pressures or improve delivery.
  • Individuals seeking to develop their expertise in a changing health and social care system.

This qualification supports your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) helping you build knowledge and skills,  and provide evidence of learning for current roles and future career progression. If you’re new to this area, we recommend starting with the following free online courses to build your foundational knowledge:

These optional resources will give you a solid starting point and help you get the most out of the PDA in TEC. ​

What does the PDA involve?
A person looking at a laptop while thinking

The PDA in Technology Enabled Care at SCQF Level 7, is equivalent to an Advanced Higher or Higher National Certificate (HNC) and consists of two Higher National (HN) Units, totalling 16 SCQF credit points. As part of this funded programme, you will complete

  • Working with Technology Enabled Care (8 SCQF credit points)
  • Using Digital Technology to Support People in Health, Housing, and Care (8 SCQF credit points)

How the PDA is Delivered

This course is 100% online, so you can learn when it suits you, around work, life, and everything else. Most of the learning is self-directed, but there’s tutor support if you need a bit of help. You’ll need to complete everything within the 18-week semester and stick to the assignment dates  set by the college but don't worry, your tutor will support you to make sure you stay on track.

The course is delivered via UHI Perth College and UHI Argyll College using the Brightspace virtual learning environment, making it accessible wherever you are.

What You’ll Receive from UHI

As part of the programme, UHI will provide:

  • A mandatory 2-hour online induction, including: introduction to tutors, how to use Brightspace, and live Q&A session.
  • Full access to Brightspace, including: course materials and resources, and assignment guidance and support.
  • A dedicated group tutor.
  • A short post-award evaluation, which helps inform future course content and improvements.​
Applicant Essential Requirements
To apply for this programme, you need to meet the following criteria:
  • Work in a frontline role within a Health and Social Care Partnership, Health Board, Social Care, Social Work, or Housing organisation, whether public, independent, or third sector.
  • Have the digital skills, equipment, and internet access needed to complete this fully online qualification (for example a laptop or PC and stable Wi-Fi).
  • Have discussed your application with your line manager and secured their support.
  • Commit to completing the award within 18 weeks from the start date.
  • Agree to complete both units: 
               - Working with Technology Enabled Care
               - Using Digital Technology to Support People in Health, Housing, and Care
  • Agree to participate in an evaluation when requested.
  • Understand that this is a self-directed qualification delivered online in partnership with UHI Perth College. While tutor support is available, your success depends on your ability to manage your own learning and apply it in your work.
  • Live and work in Scotland and be eligible to access publicly funded learning opportunities. ​
Right to Work or Study in the UK
Notepad on a keyboard with a pen on top

To be eligible for this fully funded programme, you must have the right to live, work or study in the UK. Some types of immigration status do not qualify for publicly funded learning in Scotland, so it’s important to check your status before applying.

You can find more information here:

Line Managers Essential Requirements
As part of the application process, line managers are required to confirm, on behalf of the employing organisation, that the organisation:
  • Will provide protected time for the applicant to attend the mandatory online induction.
  • Confirms that appropriate support arrangements have been discussed and are in place to help the applicant complete the qualification within the 18-week timeframe.
  • Will promptly notify the delivery centre (UHI Perth), or NHS Education for Scotland (NES) of any issues that may affect the applicant’s progress.
  • Understands that if the applicant does not complete the qualification without reasonable cause, NES will recover the associated costs from the employing organisation.​
Application Panel Process
Person an a laptop attending an online discussion

To ensure a fair and consistent approach, the application and selection process follows a set eligibility criteria, applied equally to all applicants regardless of job role, title, or grade/band. Once applications are submitted:

  • A selection panel reviews each application.
  • Panel members independently score four questions, three answered by the applicant and one by the line manager using a scoring matrix.
  • Panel members then come together at a panel meeting to make final decisions, based on the overall score of each application.

What the Panel Is Looking For
The panel evaluates and scores each application based on:

  • The difference the learning could make in current or future roles
  • The benefit to the applicant, their colleagues, and their organisation.
  • The value for people using services and the wider sector.

The line manager’s response is also scored and should describe how the learning will benefit people, colleagues, and support improvements in digital health and social care within the organisation.​

Application Writing Guidance

This section provides guidance on how to complete your PDA in Technology Enabled Care application form. Following this advice will help ensure your submission is complete, well-structured, and clearly demonstrates why you're a strong candidate for the award.

Completing the Application Form

To be considered, your application must be fully completed, including:

  • All applicant questions answered in full.
  • A supporting statement from your line manager.
  • No missing or incomplete information.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered, so please review the form carefully before submitting.
Tips for Writing Strong Responses

Make the Best Use of the 100 Word Limit- Each answer has a 100 word limit. Get as close to that as possible without going over. Anything beyond 100 words will not be scored.
   ■ Use clear, focused sentences.
   ■ Be informative, not vague.
   ■ Avoid being too brief or using incomplete thoughts.

Be Clear and Specific - Make sure each response is:
   ■ Directly relevant to the question.
   ■ Specific about your experience, context, and goals.
   ■ Focused on how the qualification will make a difference.

Provide a Strong Line Manager Statement - Your line manager’s answer to the question: Why do you support the candidate’s application for the PDA in TEC qualification? is scored as part of your overall submission, so it’s important they take full advantage of their opportunity to strengthen your application. Their statement should clearly describe:
   ■ The impact your participation will have on the people you support and work with.
   ■ How it will benefit your organisation.
   ■ How it will support improvements in digital health and care.

Line Managers have up to 150 words, so encourage them to be detailed and specific. A strong, thoughtful statement really can make a difference. If you receive a brief or vague response, it’s okay to ask for more detail as their support plays an important role in the selection process.

Review and Proofread - Make sure you: 
   ■ Double-check all sections are complete.
   ■ Proofread for clarity and accuracy.
   ■ Make sure nothing has been missed​

Application Question Guidance - Applicant Questions

Below is some helpful guidance to support you in answering each question on the PDA in Technology Enabled Care application form. This will help you structure your responses, highlight your relevant experience, and clearly show how your learning will benefit both your own development and your organisation.

Q1 Why are you applying for the PDA in TEC? 

  • Explain why you are interested in the PDA in TEC.
  • Describe how the qualification will make a difference in your role.
  • Share how the qualification will support your ongoing professional development.
  • Connect the qualification to your career goals.

Q2 What benefit does completing the PDA in TEC bring to you and your organisation?  

  • Explain how the qualification will benefit you personally.
  • Describe how you will share your learning with colleagues.
  • Show how your development will positively impact the wider organisation.

Q3 How does TEC benefit service users, patients and the broader health and care sector?  

  • Explain how it benefits the people you support.
  • Describe how it contributes to long-term change across health, housing, social care and social work.
  • Show how it helps services become more efficient, responsive and effective.
  • Highlight how integrating digital solutions supports system-wide improvements.​
Application Question Guidance - Line Manager Question

Guidance for Line Managers: Supporting Statement

As part of the formal application for the PDA in Technology Enabled Care, line managers are asked to provide a short supporting statement. This response is an important part of the overall application assessment. Below is guidance to help you address the question clearly and demonstrate your organisation’s support as well as the value of the candidate’s participation.

You have up to 150 words to respond to the application question: Why do you support the candidate’s application for the PDA in TEC qualification?

Please be as specific and detailed as possible as your statement is a scored part of the application process. Your response should cover:

  • The impact this qualification could have on the people the candidate supports.
  • How it will benefit your team or organisation.
  • How it aligns with organisational digital health and care priorities or service improvement.
Tips for Writing a Strong Line Manager's Statement

Tips for Writing a Strong Line Manager's Statement

Use the  Full 150 Word Limit - Aim to get as close to 150 words as possible without going over. Anything beyond 150 words will not be scored. .

Be Clear and Concise - Use focused sentences that clearly explain your support.

Be Specific and Relevant - Highlight how the candidate’s learning will benefit colleagues, patients or service users, and the organisation.

Avoid Being Too Brief or Vague - Make sure your statement fully answers the question without incomplete thoughts.

Your supporting statement plays an important role in the selection process. A clear, thoughtful, and specific statement can make a real difference to the candidate’s chances of success.