Health and Social Care - Level 2 National Extended Diploma

This course covers a wide range of vocational units relating to health and social care, specifically designed to help you pursue a career in the sector.

You will learn about a variety of key subject areas, such as equality, diversity and rights in health and social care, human growth and development through the life span and the role and responsibilities of the health and social care practitioner in relation to safeguarding individuals.

30 hours of placement in a real work environment will be arranged by the college for you, providing opportunities for you to apply knowledge to practice, receive feedback, and reflect on your own experience. Placement also provides opportunities for you to observe professional practice in action and gain valuable employability skills.

Extended Diplomas have two one-year programmes. You need to finish the first year before moving on to the second.

Topics covered can include:

• Range of service provision and roles
• Health and safety
• Introductory awareness of equality and inclusion
• Understand the principles and values of health and social care
• Encourage children and young people to eat healthily
• Introduction to a healthy lifestyle
• Awareness of protection and safeguarding
• Introduction to mental health
• Job opportunities in health and social care

You will need:

• Three GCSEs at grade 3 or above and GCSE English at grade 4 or above or relevant Level 1 course with Functional Skills in English and Maths at Level 1

All applicants must have an interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

The course is assessed throughout the year and with an end-of-course portfolio. You will also complete 30 hours of work experience on placement.

Adults - LEVEL 2

This course may be free for you if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• If you are aged 19-23 and you do not have the equivalent of five GCSEs at grade 9-4. You need to show us proof of any qualifications you already have.
• Residency rules apply. You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a free or reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

Upon achievement of this qualification, learners will be able to progress to our Level 3 Certificate and Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care, or into a range of job roles within the health and social care sector such as:

• Care Support Workers: in adult residential settings
• Healthcare Assistants: in community, primary care and acute health environments
• Care Support Workers: in domiciliary services, supported living or day services
• Community-Based Support Workers

Achievement of this qualification will equip learners with knowledge and understanding across a range of subject areas, which will enable progression to further learning at Level 3, for example:
types and functions of provision

• Legislation, frameworks, policies, procedures and codes of practice
• Roles and responsibilities of health and social care practitioners
• Care values
• Human growth and development through the life span
• Health, well-being and care needs
• Partnership working
• Health and social care priorities