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Free Level 3 Health and Social Care Course in Nelson

CostFREE
Duration1 year
LevelLevel 2
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyNCFE awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 2 Health and Social Care Course in Nelson. Classes run at Nelson and Colne College, full-time during the day. You'll cover person-centred care, communication, safeguarding, equality, infection control, and human growth and development. Work placements are included, giving you hands-on experience supporting people of all ages. The course takes one year to complete. Entry requirements are 4 GCSE passes at Grade 3 or above, or a Level 1 BTEC including Grade 3 in English and Maths.

Who this course is for

Want to start a career where you can make a real difference? The Level 2 Health and Social Care course is the perfect next step. You’ll study person-centred care, communication, safeguarding, equality, infection control, and human growth and development—everything you need to begin your journey in care. With real work placements, you’ll gain valuable hands-on experience and the confidence to support people of all ages and backgrounds. By the end, you’ll be ready for entry-level roles like care assistant or healthcare assistant, or you can progress to Level 3 or apprenticeships.

Care starts here—your future begins today.

Entry requirements

4 GCSE passes at a minimum of Grade 3, or a Level 1 BTEC which must include a Grade 3 in English Language or Literature and Maths.

What you will learn

  • You'll study person-centred approaches to care and how to apply them in practice.
  • You'll learn how to communicate effectively with people who use care services.
  • You'll understand safeguarding principles and how to protect vulnerable adults and children.
  • You'll explore equality, diversity, and inclusion in health and social care settings.
  • You'll cover infection prevention and control procedures.
  • You'll examine human growth and development across the lifespan.
  • You'll gain practical experience through work placements in care settings.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom sessions at Nelson and Colne College, covering theory and practical skills. Work placements are part of the course, putting your learning into practice in real care settings. Assessment is through a combination of coursework, assignments, and evidence gathered during your placements.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Nelson and Colne College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Care assistant: support adults with daily living in residential or home care.
  • Support worker: help people with physical or learning disabilities live independently.
  • Healthcare assistant: assist clinical staff in hospitals or GP surgeries.
  • Domiciliary care worker: provide personal care and support in people's own homes.
  • Residential care worker: work in care homes supporting older adults.
  • Early years support worker: assist children and families in early years settings.

What you could study next

  • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care: the next step if you want to move into supervisory roles or apply to nursing and allied health degree programmes.
  • Level 3 Award in Education and Training: useful if you want to train or mentor others in a care setting.
  • T Level in Health: a technical qualification combining classroom study with an industry placement, recognised by universities and employers.
Apply on nelson.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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