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Application Guidance

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About the Professional Development Award in Technology Enabled Care

The Professional Development Award (PDA) in Technology Enabled Care (TEC) 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 service delivery.
     
  • Individuals seeking to develop their expertise in a changing health and social care system.

The PDA supports your Continuing Professional Development (CPD), helping you build your knowledge and skills while providing evidence of learning to support your current role and future career progression.

If you’re new to this area, the following free online courses can help you build your foundational knowledge before starting the PDA:

These optional resources provide a useful starting point and can 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 (TEC) is at SCQF Level 7, equivalent to an Advanced Higher or Higher National Certificate (HNC). It consists of two Higher National (HN) Units, totalling 16 SCQF credit points.

As part of this fully 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

The PDA is 100% online, allowing you to learn flexibly around work and other commitments.

The learning is self-directed, with tutor support available when you need it. You’ll need to complete the course within the 18-week semester and meet the assignment deadlines set by the college. Your tutor will support you to stay on track throughout the course.

The course is delivered through 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 an introduction to your tutors, guidance on using Brightspace, and a live Q&A session.
     
  • Full access to Brightspace, including course materials, resources, assignment guidance and support.
     
  • A dedicated group tutor to support you throughout the course.
     
  • A short post-award evaluation to help inform future course content and improvements.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the programme, you must::
  • Work in a health or social care setting in Scotland, including health, social care, social work, housing, or the independent and third sectors.
     
  • Have the digital skills, equipment, and internet access needed to complete this fully online qualification, such as a laptop or PC and reliable internet access.
     
  • Have discussed your application with your line manager and secured their support.
     
  • Commit to completing the award within 18 week semester and meeting the required assignment deadlines.
     
  • 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 activities when requested.
     

  • Be prepared to manage your own learning. The PDA is a self-directed qualification delivered online in partnership with UHI Perth and UHI Argyll Colleges. Tutor support is available, but you will be responsible for managing your learning and applying it to 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 appropriate right to live, work or study in the UK.

Some immigration statuses may not qualify for publicly funded learning in Scotland, so it’s important to check your eligibility before applying.

Find out more about eligibility 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 agrees to the Line Manager Essential Requirements outlined below:

  • Provide protected time for the applicant to attend the mandatory online induction.

  • Confirm that appropriate support arrangements are in place to help the applicant complete the qualification within the 18-week timeframe.

  • Promptly notify the delivery centre (UHI Perth or UHI Argyll) or Public Services Delivery Scotland (formerly NHS Education for Scotland) of any issues that may affect the applicant’s progress.

  • Understand that if the applicant does not complete the qualification without reasonable cause, PSD Scotland 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, all applications are assessed against the same eligibility criteria, regardless of job role, title or grade/band.

Once applications are submitted:

  1. A selection panel reviews each application.

  2. Panel members independently score four questions using a scoring matrix — three questions are answered by the applicant and one by the line manager.

  3. The panel meets to make the final selection, 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 to your current or future role.
     
  • The benefits to you, your colleagues and your organisation.
     
  • The potential impact on people using services and the wider health and social care sector.

Your line manager’s response is also scored and should explain how the learning will benefit you, your colleagues and your organisation, including how it could support improvements in digital health and care.​

 

Application Writing Guidance

This section provides guidance on completing your PDA in Technology Enabled Care application. Following these tips will help you submit a complete, well-structured application that clearly demonstrates why you are a strong candidate for the award.

Completing the Application Form

To be considered, your application must be fully completed and include:

  • All applicant questions answered in full.
     
  • A supporting statement from your line manager.
     
  • All required information, with no missing or incomplete sections.

Incomplete applications will not be considered, so please review your application carefully before submitting.

Tips for writing strong applicant responses

Make the most of the 100 word limit
Each applicant question has a 100-word limit. Aim to use the available space effectively without exceeding the limit. Anything over 100 words will not be scored.

  • Use clear, focused sentences.
  • Be informative and specific rather than vague.
  • Avoid being too brief or leaving thoughts incomplete.

Be clear and specific 
Make sure each response:

  • Directly answers the question.
  • Includes relevant details about your experience, context and goals.
  • Clearly explains how the qualification could make a difference to your work.   

Make your Line Manager statement count
Your line manager’s response to “Why do you support the candidate’s application for the PDA in TEC qualification?” is scored as part of your overall application.

Their statement should clearly explain:

  • The impact your participation could have on the people you support and work with.
  • How the learning could benefit your organisation.
  • How it could support improvements in digital health and care.

Line managers have up to 150 words, so encourage them to use the available space to provide specific, meaningful examples.

If their response is brief or vague, it’s okay to ask them to provide more detail. Their statement is an important part of the selection process.

Review and Proofread
Before submitting, make sure you:

  • Double-check that all sections are complete.
  • Proofread your responses for clarity and accuracy.
  • Check that you have answered every question and included all required information.​
Application Question Guidance - Applicant Questions

Guidance for: Applicant Questions

The guidance below will help you answer each question on the PDA in Technology Enabled Care application form. Use it to structure your responses, highlight your relevant experience and clearly demonstrate how the qualification will support your development and benefit your organisation.

Q1. Why are you applying for the PDA in TEC?

In your response:

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

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

In your response:

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

Q3. How does TEC benefit people using services and the wider health and care sector?

In your response:

  • Explain how TEC can benefit the people you support.
  • Describe how it can contribute to longer-term change across health, housing, social care and social work.
  • Show how TEC can help services become more efficient, responsive and effective.
  • Highlight how integrating digital solutions can support wider improvements across health and care..​
Application Question Guidance - Line Manager Question

Guidance for: Line Manager Question

As part of the 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 and is scored as part of the selection process.

You have up to 150 words to answer:

Why do you support the candidate’s application for the PDA in TEC qualification?

Please be as specific and detailed as possible. Your response should explain:

  • The impact the qualification could have on the people the candidate supports.
     
  • How the learning will benefit the candidate’s team or organisation.
     
  • How it aligns with organisational priorities, particularly digital health and care or service improvement.
Tips for writing a strong Line Manager Statement

Make the most of the 150 word limit
Aim to use the available space effectively without exceeding 150 words. Anything over 150 words will not be scored.

Be clear and concise
Use focused sentences that clearly explain why you support the candidates application.

Be specific and relevant
Include relevant examples of how the candidate’s learning could benefit colleagues, people using services and the wider organisation.

Avoid being too brief or vague
Make sure your statement fully answers the question and provides enough detail for the panel to understand the value of the candidate’s participation.

Your supporting statement is a scored part of the selection process, so a clear, thoughtful and specific response can strengthen the overall application.