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adulteducation.org.uk

Health and social care courses

Find health and social care courses that you can study online, often for free. They cover topics such as dementia, end of life care, safeguarding and care planning.

We’re an independent guide. We don’t run courses. We help you compare them, check whether you can study for free, and see where each one could lead.

Who these courses are for

These courses suit you if you:

  • want to work in a care home, home care or a hospital and want to learn the basics first
  • already work in care and want to understand a topic in more depth
  • look after a family member or friend and want to understand their needs
  • work with the public, for example in a pharmacy, GP surgery or community group

Most courses are Level 2. That’s about the same level as a GCSE at grade 4 or above. You don’t need any qualifications to start, but you’ll need to read and write English well enough to answer written questions.

Can I study for free?

Most of these courses are paid for by the government’s Adult Skills Fund (formerly the Adult Education Budget). In the 2026/27 academic year, you can usually study for free if you:

  • are 19 or over
  • live in England and meet the residency rules
  • are unemployed, or earn less than £26,800 a year

Some places, such as Greater London and Greater Manchester, have their own adult skills budget and set their own rules. Because of this, some online providers can’t take learners from those areas.

“Free” doesn’t always mean no cost at all. Some providers charge an admin or withdrawal fee if you leave early or don’t finish. Always check before you sign up. The provider makes the final decision on whether you can study for free.

Check whether you’re eligible for a free course

If you’re a care employer

Some of these qualifications are on the Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS) list. Adult social care employers can claim back the cost of LDSS courses for their staff. How care employers can claim training funding

Courses at a glance

Courses
17, 16 free if you're eligible
Level
Level 2
How you study
Online, from home
Funding

Check whether you're eligible or filter these with all free courses.

Courses

Related courses from other subjects

These courses are listed under another subject, but they're also useful for health & social care.

See all free online courses

Where these courses can lead

  1. Start with a Level 2 certificate

    The courses on this page teach you the knowledge behind care work, such as dementia, safeguarding or care planning. You can study them at home before you get a care job, or alongside one.

  2. Get a care job and train at work

    Most care jobs don't need a qualification to start. Once you're working, your employer usually trains you, and you can take a work-based qualification such as the Level 2 Diploma in Care. Some people do this through an apprenticeship.

  3. Move up to Level 3

    With experience, you could take on more responsibility as a senior care worker. Level 3 courses in subjects like dementia, autism or end of life care build on the Level 2 certificates.

  4. Lead a team or a service

    Level 4 and 5 qualifications are for people who lead care teams or manage a care service.

Questions

Are these health and social care courses really free?
Most of them are free if you're eligible. In 2026/27 that usually means you're 19 or over, you live in England, and you're unemployed or earn less than £26,800 a year. If you live in an area with its own adult skills budget, such as Greater London or Greater Manchester, local rules apply. Some providers charge a fee if you leave the course early. The provider makes the final decision.
Do I need to work in care to do these courses?
No. These are knowledge-based certificates, so you don't need a job or a work placement. They suit people who want to find out about care work before they apply, as well as people already working in care.
Will a Level 2 certificate get me a job in care?
It can help, because it shows employers you understand the subject. But most care jobs don't need a qualification to start, and employers train new staff at work. A certificate is a good first step, not a licence to practise.
What's the difference between these certificates and the Level 2 Diploma in Care?
The certificates on this page test what you know, and you can study them online. The Diploma in Care also tests what you can do. An assessor watches you at work, so you need to be working in a care setting to take it.
Can my employer pay for a course instead?
Yes, in some cases. Adult social care employers can claim back the cost of some qualifications through the Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS). The qualification must be on the government's eligible list, and the employer makes the claim, not you.
Are these courses the same as NHS training?
No. They're nationally recognised qualifications from awarding bodies such as NCFE, but they aren't NHS courses. If you work for the NHS, ask your manager which training your trust needs.

Sources

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