Recent figures state that there are nearly 70,000 full and part-time care staff employed in local authorities in England alone. It is likely that demand for care services will grow because of the increasing ageing population and the continuing shift towards care in the community.

With 95,000 people every year requiring long term care for the first time, residential or nursing homes with round the clock support from caring staff have become the choice of care for many.

Studying this course in the UK can create a chance for employment in the Heath and Social Care Sector. Regulations within the Social care sector already require staff to hold care qualifications with the NVQ being the most widely recognised for those without a full Nursing Qualification. There is also indication that the same regulations will be introduced into the Health Care sector in the future.

There are very high employment prospects within this rapidly growing sector in the UK economy. Many leading recruitment agencies have recognised the need to attract workers from overseas to meet the shortfall of recruits within the UK.

For students seeking careers in the Health and Social Care Industries at local, national and international levels. Students may progress to careers in social work, residential and day care, nursing and other careers in health and social care. This course can lead to employment in :
• Residential Care Homes
• Community Support Workers
• Housing and Supported Accommodation
• Hospitals and Primary Care Trusts
• Day Services for those with physical disabilities, mental illness and learning disabilities.
• Residential homes for older people

This course provides the qualification required for direct care and front-line staff working in these areas. Students will receive educational support as well as support from academic staff who are experienced health and social care professionals.

1 year full-time and comprises two phases based upon the College’s academic semester pattern.

Phase 1: Comprising college based theoretical and practical based studies in care work as well as the opportunity to improve communication and information technology skills. During Phase 1 students will also find out how to prepare a portfolio which will be used for assessment of practice during Phase 2.

Phase 2: This phase will be workplace based and students will be placed with employers within the care sector. The College will be responsible for arranging these placements. Students will continue to get guidance from their College Tutor as well as being assessed for practical skills by an approved workplace assessor provided by the college. Students will also receive guidance on job seeking skills and information.

During both phases students will be able to work for up to 20 hours per week in order to financially support their studies. This may be in the same setting as their Phase 2 practice or in other care settings. The College will provide lists of suitable places for employment including Care Sector Employment Agencies.

Candidates must be committed, enthusiastic, motivated and be able to work on their own and as part of a team.

You will also need to complete a satisfactory interview and demonstrate a strong commitment to succeed. Applications from mature candidates are welcomed.

A Criminal Records Bureau check is required of students entering this course.

Local Students

Candidates will need to be able to communicate effectively both through spoken and written word. Where additional support is required candidates will need to be prepared to attend local colleges to gain these skills.

International Students:
Care requires very good communication skills since many service users themselves have communication difficulties. For this course it is essential that applicants must have a good standard of spoken and written English with fairly clear accent.

Applicants must have a degree in Nursing or Health Care and some experience in related field.

For students whose first language is not English an English language score of IELTS 6.00 or equivalent is required with at least 5.0 in reading and writing. Students will be required to take a short language test during their induction week.

Mandatory Units
• Communicate with and complete records for Individuals
• Support the health and safety of yourself and Individuals
• Develop your knowledge and practice
• Ensure your own actions support the care protection and well being of others

Selected Optional Units (please select 2 out of the following seven)
• Receive and pass on messages and information
• Contribute to the effectiveness of teams
• Support Individuals with their personal care needs
• Help individuals to eat and drink
• Help Individuals to keep mobile
• Help address the physical comfort needs of individuals
• Undertake agreed pressure area care

Students will be expected to participate fully in all elements of the course and complete to time schedules assignment work given by tutors out with the 18 hours classroom work.

Phase 2 Programme

During this phase students will be located within Care Sector settings during which practice will be assessed. Tutorial Support will continue from Phase 1 throughout Phase 2.

Learning and knowledge will be assessed by professional tutors with experience in teaching the subjects and with professional care experience. Tutors will set assignments which will be used to support the full NVQ Care Level 2 assessment and provide evidence of a good knowledge base in care related subjects.

Care Practice will be assessed by fully approved and qualified Workplace Assessors. This assessment will be carried out during Phase 2 and occur within the placement workplace. Students will be expected to build up a Portfolio of Evidence which requires writing reports about their practice, answering written and oral questions and other written material. Records of Directly Observed Practice will be supplied by the Workplace Assessor for inclusion in the Student’s Portfolio.

Final Assessment and presentation for the NVQ Care Level 2 or 3 Award will depend upon successful completion of the Portfolio to the standard accepted by the Qualifications Curriculum Authority covering the required components.

On completion of the course you will receive a prestigious industry recognised qualification, the ‘National Vocational Qualification in Care Level 2 or 3’ & ‘Executive Diploma in Profession Care’ from the College. In addition to that, you will achieve:

• Practical experience of working in the UK Home Care Centres.
• You will also have the opportunity to take other qualifications such as:
• First Aid at Work Certificate
• Basic Food Hygiene Certificate
• Basic Health and Safety Certificate
• Certificate in Manual Handling
• Certificate in Infection

Awarding Body: Edexcel is the leading provider of vocational and higher qualifications offering in the United Kingdom, recognised for their quality and are valued by employers in every sector of business.

• NVQ Level 3 or 4 Care – which is accepted by many Universities as an entrance qualification for Registered Nurse training
• Senior Care Role

It also provides a good grounding to go on to a more advanced course such as

• BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Health and Care
• BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in Care
• BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in Health Studies

These courses also provide a good grounding for those wishing to progress to degree level courses in Social Work, Nursing (General and Mental Health), Community Education, Housing Administration, etc.

Care home managers work in a variety of settings in the public, private and voluntary sectors. There is a growing trend for private healthcare companies to cater for the rise in demand for care services, especially care of the elderly. As a result, there has been an increase in demand for registered managers. Increasingly, local authorities are contracting out their care home services to independent organisations, again, leading to a corresponding rise opportunities in this sector.

In terms of career development, options include: moving into coordination of services or management at a regional level within a larger healthcare company or charity
1. moving into related areas such as company marketing or training
2. consultancy work on a freelance basis
3. working as an inspector, overseeing the implementation of national standards.

The fee for the course is £5000 per year and must be paid in two instalments. Fist instalment must be paid advance.

A student, who requires Student Visa to enter or remain in the UK, will be entitled to a refund of the tuition fee if his/her visa application is refused. A letter of refusal from the British Embassy (APP200) and the original documents of admission issued by the College must be attached with the application form. Please check our website or college prospectus for more details.