Social Care Diploma Level 3

A minimum of 5 GCSE subjects at grade 4 or above including English and Maths, or a Level 2 Diploma in Health & Social Care.

On this course, you will explore a wide range of essential topics to prepare you for a career in social care. You’ll develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to support individuals in different care settings, alongside building your confidence and professional behaviours.

You will learn about key areas such as supporting individuals, care and support planning, communication, and working in a person-centred way. The course also covers specialist topics including mental health and wellbeing, learning disabilities, dementia awareness, health and safety, and infection prevention and control.

As part of the qualification, you will study units such as:

Working in Social Care
Equality, Diversity, Dignity and Rights
Duty of Care
Communication in Social Care
Care and Support Planning
Person-Centred Approaches and Risk Assessment
Values and Behaviours
Advocacy and Safeguarding
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Health and Safety and Infection Control
Personal and Professional Development
Working with Others and Research Skills
Good Practice in Social Care
Psychology and Sociology
Anatomy and Physiology
End-of-Life Care
Learning Disabilities
Dementia Awareness

These units will help you understand how to provide high-quality care and support people with a range of needs, while preparing you for real work environments in the sector.

To achieve the qualification, you will need to successfully complete and pass all 23 mandatory units, which are assessed and graded throughout the course.

Additional costs

You will be required to complete a successful Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prior to starting the course, for which there will be a charge. Students will be required to purchase a York College polo shirt and optional hoodie. Information will be provided at enrolment.

You will be taught face-to-face in a classroom setting as well as attending your work placement which is a total of 30 hours over the 2 years.

You will be assessed in a way that reflects real-life work in social care. This includes coursework such as assignments, case studies, and research tasks. There are no final exams.

All units are assessed and graded, and you will build a portfolio of evidence throughout the course. To achieve the qualification, you must complete and pass all 23 mandatory units.

This is a full-time course. It is not possible to combine this course with other Vocational, Apprenticeship or A Level programmes.

This course is an excellent pathway to university and is ideal if you’re aiming to progress into higher education. Around 90% of learners go on to university to continue their studies and build careers in health and social care.

You could progress onto a wide range of degree courses, including nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy, psychology, and social care–related degrees such as social work, health and social care, youth work, and community development. These courses can lead to professional careers supporting individuals, families, and communities. The knowledge, skills, and coursework experience you gain will prepare you well for the demands of university study.

If you prefer to move straight into work, there are plenty of employment opportunities available. You could start in roles such as care assistant, support worker, or residential care worker in a variety of settings. There are also entry-level opportunities within the NHS, including healthcare assistant and support roles, allowing you to gain valuable experience while building your career.

You may also choose to continue your learning through higher-level apprenticeships or Level 4 and 5 qualifications, giving you the chance to earn while you learn and progress into more senior roles over time.

This qualification opens up multiple progression routes, whether your goal is university, employment, or further training, helping you build a rewarding and long-term career in health and social care.