The programmes and qualifications delivered in the School of Health & Social Care are not only designed to provide all our students with nationally recognised qualifications providing the skills and knowledge to gain access to and progress their chosen careers within the health and social care sector. As a college we strive to promote excellent standards of care and good practice in the services delivered to patients/clients wherever our students work whether in the UK or within their home countries.  The college prides itself on it’s recognition of the diversity that different cultures have on care practice and delivery.

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 an 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.

1 year full-time and comprises of two phases based upon the College’s academic semester pattern. The course starts four times a year. Please contact the college for more details..

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

Formal qualifications are not required for entry to the course, however, experience of working with others in a care setting is desirable but not essential. Students who have completed their Higher (Senior) Secondary Education are eligible to apply for this course. Applications from mature candidates are welcomed.

A ‘Police Clearance Certificate’ is required for international students and ‘Criminal Records Bureau’ check is required for both local and international students.

The College offers the ‘English Language Foundation Programme’ to help students with a lower level of English to achieve their academic and professional goals by providing a high level of fluency and expression in the English language.There is an exam at the end of the English course. A good pass in the exam is sufficient evidence for admission, that you are ready for college study and that you do not need to sit external exams such as IELTS or TOEFL.

EDEXCEL National Vocational Qualification Level 2

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

Optional Units

Students must select 4 optional units from a wide ranging list, some of which are detailed below. Guidance will be given according to the student’s placement.

• 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

NVQ in Health & Social Care Level 3

Mandatory Units

• Promote effective communication for and about individuals
• Promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security in the working environment
• Reflect on and develop your practice
• Promote choice, well-being and the protection of all individuals

Optional Units

Students must select 4 optional units from a wide ranging list, some of which are detailed below. Guidance will be given according to the student’s placement.

• Contribute to care planning and review
• Prepare and support individuals to move and settle into new living environments
• Work in collaboration with carers in the caring role
• Contribute to promoting the effectiveness of teams

NVQ in Health & Social Care Level 4
Please contact the college or visit the website for more details.

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.  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.

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.

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 /3 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 / 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 EDEXCEL National Vocational Qualification Level 2 / 3 / 4 (NVQ) in Health & Social Care. & ‘Executive Diploma in Care’ from the College.

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 / 4 Care – which is accepted by many Universities as an entrance qualification for Registered Nurse training
• Senior Care Role
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Health and Care
• BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in Care or 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.

This is a highly valued qualification for those entering front-line care service provision. There are very high employment prospects in a rapidly growing sector in the UK economy. Many leading recruitment have expressed that the UK should be attracting workers from overseas to meet a shortfall in available recruits for employment. Just visit any of websites listed below and see how many opportunities are available in the UK.

• All our programmes are taught programmes (not distance learning or online learning). Many colleges hide this and therefore cheat International students.
• Accommodation at affordable cost (our students pay from £30 per week compared to £65 paid by other students studying at local universities).
• All our lecturers have 10 or more years experience on the University Circuit. They are all specialist MBA lecturers.
• State-of-the-art Computer facilities with high speed fiber-optic internet access
• Excellent Library Facilities – (An extensive range of management books, request for new books are fulfilled within 7 days).
• We also offer free refreshments (tea, coffee, fruit juice & snacks), photocopying, printing, local phone calls and fax.
• Help and support in finding part-time jobs (84% success rate)
• Located at the heart of Birmingham City Centre.
• Opening bank accounts with two banks within three days.
• National Insurance No. application procedure within a week.
• Free mobile-phone & 256MB USB pen drive
• Free pick-up service from local airport (Birmingham International Airport).
• A strong emphasis on the social entertainment of our students: Football & Cricket matches, cultural evenings, guest speakers and most importantly programmes to help students to integrate with local Communities e.g. Indian (Gujarati, Punjabi, South Indian), Chinese, Muslims, Asian.
• English language support throughout year.
• Opportunity to apply for a number of international scholarships and bursaries.