Free Level 3 Health and Social Care Course in Washington. Classes run at St Robert of Newminster. Entry requires five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English at grade 5 or higher. This two-year, full-time daytime health and social care qualification covers working with people across a wide range of ages and settings, from young children and families to adults with learning difficulties and older people. Teaching and assessment are applied directly to health and social care practice.
Who this course is for
Health and Social Care is a course for anyone interested in working with people of a variety of ages and in a range of settings. This could range from babies or children, people with special needs or jearning difficulties, families and young people, to the elderly. If you have an approachable, trustworthy, enthusiastic and compassionate nature, this course may be for you! Throughout the course, teaching, learning and assessment is applied to health and social care practice and the range of client groups and situations where care and support take place.
Entry requirements
Five passes in GCSE at grade 4 or above. One of the five passes will include English at grade 5 or higher.
What you will learn
You'll explore how health and social care services are organised and delivered across different settings.
You'll study human development across the lifespan, from infancy to older adulthood.
You'll learn how to promote equality, diversity, and the rights of individuals in care settings.
You'll understand safeguarding principles and how to protect vulnerable people.
You'll examine the role of communication in health and social care practice.
You'll investigate health promotion and factors that affect wellbeing.
You'll apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology relevant to care work.
How you will learn
You'll learn through classroom-based lessons at St Robert of Newminster, with teaching and assessment applied directly to health and social care practice. Assessment combines coursework, assignments, and practical tasks linked to real care contexts. Some units may include externally set assessments. Your progress is built through a combination of teacher-led sessions, group work, and independent study over the two years.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. St Robert of Newminster will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Care assistant: support adults or older people in residential or home care.
Healthcare support worker: assist clinical staff in NHS or private settings.
Learning disability support worker: work with people with learning difficulties.
Early years practitioner: care for and support young children in nursery settings.
Family support worker: help families and young people in community services.
Mental health support worker: provide day-to-day support for people with mental health needs.
What you could study next
Level 4 or 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care: the next step for those moving into senior or supervisory care roles.
Foundation Degree or BSc in Nursing, Social Work, or Health Studies: the Level 3 Diploma is recognised by many universities as meeting entry requirements for degree-level study in health-related subjects.
Nurse associate or nursing apprenticeship: a work-based route into registered nursing for those already employed in care.
