Free Level 3 Health and Social Care Course in Northampton. Classes run at Northampton College. You'll need four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including maths and English Language, to join. The course runs full-time over two years, combining classroom-based health and social care classes with one day of work placement each week, plus block placement weeks across the year. You'll cover human growth and development, psychology, communication skills, and infection prevention and control. This level 3 health and social care qualification opens doors to roles in care, nursing homes, day centres, and special schools.
Who this course is for
The student will develop skills and an in-depth understanding of health, including areas such as Human growth and development, Psychology, Communication Skills and infection prevention and control.
The method of learning is by class based activity, project work and research, including work placements.
Work experience: one day per week plus block weeks per year including Day centres, nursing homes, special schools. Performance in placement acts as evidence for vocational practice. You will need to gain clearance from the Disclosure Barring Service (DBS).
What will I study?
The units you will study are likely to include:
Core Units:
Anatomy and physiology
Equality, Diversity and Rights
Research Project
Personal and Professional Development
Empowerment in health and social care
Specialist Units:
Psychological perspectives in health and social care
Communication in health and social care
Human growth and development
Infection prevention and control
Sociological perspectives in health and social care
Entry requirements
4 GCSEs at Grade 9-4 including maths and English Language
What you will learn
You'll study human growth and development across the lifespan.
You'll explore psychology and how it applies to health and social care settings.
You'll develop communication skills for working with individuals and teams.
You'll learn infection prevention and control practices.
You'll build vocational skills through weekly work placements in day centres, nursing homes, and special schools.
You'll carry out project work and independent research to deepen your understanding of the sector.
How you will learn
Learning combines classroom-based activity, project work, and independent research. You'll also complete work placements: one day per week throughout the course, plus block placement weeks each year. Placements take place in settings such as day centres, nursing homes, and special schools. Your performance on placement contributes evidence toward the vocational practice element of the qualification.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Northampton College will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Care assistant: support individuals in residential or community care settings.
Support worker: help people with daily living in care homes or day centres.
Healthcare assistant: assist clinical staff in NHS or private healthcare.
Special educational needs (SEN) support assistant: work in schools supporting pupils with additional needs.
Day centre worker: plan and deliver activities for adults with care needs.
Residential childcare worker: support young people in residential settings.
What you could study next
Level 4 Certificate in Education and Training: if you want to move into teaching or training in the health and social care sector.
Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Health and Social Care: a higher-level qualification that can lead into degree programmes or senior care roles.
Nursing or Social Work degree: many universities accept this Extended Diploma as part of entry requirements for health-related degrees.
