Health & Social Care Extended Diploma Level 2
This qualification is suitable if you are working or will be working under supervision. It will either qualify you to work with adults or will complement a wider programme of training, such as an apprenticeship. At Level 2 you should be able to use your knowledge, skills and ideas to complete clear tasks and tackle straightforward problems. This includes taking responsibility for completing tasks under guidance, whilst showing you can also think independently.
This qualification is suitable if you are aged 16 or above and wish to progress into further education or the workplace.
The programme is designed to provide you with an understanding of the basic aspects of health and social care and the factors affecting an individual's health and well-being, as well as preparing you to either progress into employment or an apprenticeship, or to follow higher studies in health and social care.
On completion of your studies you will have achieved an Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care Level 2.
Entry requirements
A minimum of 3 GCSE subjects at grade 3 ideally including English and Maths.
What will I study?
You will study a range of key areas of knowledge applicable to working in the sector. These include:
- Introduction to communication in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
- Introduction to personal development in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
- Introduction to equality and inclusion in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
- Introduction to duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
- Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care
- The role of the health and social care worker
- Implement person centred approaches in health and social care
- Contribute to health and safety in health and social care
- Handle information in health and social care settings
Plus some optional units which are matched to the needs of the job market.
Also included are visits, guest speakers, career preparation events and experience of work.
There will be the opportunity to retake GCSE English and Maths (working towards grade 4) within this study programme.
Additional costs
There is an optional cost to purchase the course textbook.
Method of delivery
You are likely to be in College over three full days per week. Your studies will be mainly classroom based but you will also experience practical sessions in our simulation care unit.
Your studies will be face to face on site, with 90% classroom based and 10% undertaking simulated practical activities.
How will I be assessed?
All units in this qualification are internally graded A* - D. You are required to create a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates achievement of 100% of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria associated with each unit. On completion of each unit you must declare that the work produced is your own. The assessor must countersign this. The main pieces of evidence for the portfolio could include (in no particular order):
- Assessor observation
- Witness testimony
- Worksheets
- Assignments/projects/reports
- Record of professional discussion
- Record of oral and written questioning
- Candidate and peer reports
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Good course combinations
This is a full-time course. It is not possible to combine this course with other Vocational, Apprenticeship or A Level programmes.
Your next steps
On completion you could progress into further studies at Level 3 or onto an apprenticeship. This qualification does not provide a licence to practise, but may support progression into a range of job roles in the health and social care sector, including:
- Care Support Workers in adult residential settings
- Healthcare Assistants in community, primary care and acute health environments
- Care Support Workers in domiciliary services, supported living or day services
- Community-based Support Workers
