Key Facts

Health And Social Care - Level 3 Certificate (NCFE Cache)

Achieve a Certificate in your first year of study then top up to the Extended Diploma in the second year. The Diploma gives you much more detail on the subject - it is the equivalent of a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma course, or three A-levels, and is a great route into university. If you have already achieved the Level 3 Certificate at another college, you can choose to top up to the Diploma with just one year of study.

If you want a career in social care or to take a degree in social work, sociology, psychology, social sciences, social policy, nursing or other care-related courses, then this course is for you. We emphasise real-world experience for you through a work placement, so you will work one or two days per week in a variety of health and care settings in addition to your college lessons. Completing your work placement is a mandatory part of the course and is well regarded by universities and employers. You can choose from a range of health and social care settings (but not child care settings such as nurseries).

You will have the chance to hear from professionals - like midwives and nurses - who are already working successfully in this area. They will talk to you about their career path, the sorts of skills and behaviours you should demonstrate and career opportunities within the health and social care sector.

  • Entry Requirements


    We will invite you to a Meet the Tutor event where you will receive information, advice, and guidance about the course you have applied for. This will be an opportunity for you to gain valuable information about the course and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

    You will provide a copy of your last school report and / or a reference from an employer or relevant professional other this will include attendance. This is to ensure we can support to be able to achieve well on the course. Applicants with 85% or below attendance will have been deemed not to have met this criteria. All applicants are given an opportunity to discuss any evidence based mitigating circumstances that may have affected the reference / school report.

    For admission on to the Level 3 Certificate you will need:

    4 x GCSE's at C/4 or above, or a Level 2 Certificate / Extended Certificate or above in a relevant subject.

    You will have gained either English and/or maths at GCSE C/4 or above or L2 Functional skills English and/or maths.

    A DBS (police) disclosure is required for this course.

    We are firmly committed to finding the right course for you to ensure you can flourish. Talk to us today if you have any concerns about the application process, we are here to help take you to the next level.

  • Course Content


    The units for year 1 are: Human Growth & Development; Equality, Diversity & Rights, Communication Skills; Safeguarding, Infection Prevention & Control; Sociology, Psychology, Working in Health & Social Care, and Reflective Practice.

    In year 2 you will take units in Safeguarding & Protection, Empowerment, Research Skills, Anatomy & Physiology, Family Issues, Behaviour Change, Health Psychology, Personal & Professional Development, and Microbiology.

  • Progression Next Steps


    You can progress on to a Higher Apprenticeship or university for a range of courses such as nursing, midwifery, social work, psychology and many more social science subject areas.

    There are lots of opportunities available to you to progress across the South Thames Colleges Group and into the world beyond education.

    During your time with us you will have access to a dedicated team of careers and education advisors who will help you as you take the next steps towards achieving your goals.

  • Additional Information


    As you will be working with vulnerable groups, you will need to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly CRB) before your course starts.

  • Course Structure


    You will study nine units in each year, each with assignments. There is an extended External Assessment (5000 words) in year 1 and again in year 2, which is set and marked by the Awarding Body Cache. You will also attend a work placement in a health or social care setting for one day a week if you also retaking maths or English, or for two days a week if you are not taking any resits.

  • Assessment Details


    You will need to complete and achieve internally assessed assignments in each unit, as well as an external assessment (extended essay) set and marked by Cache.