Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care: Level 2 Certificate
For anyone working towards a career in adult health and social care in a supervised job role.
Course summary
- Qualification
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care
- Level
- Level 2
- Awarding body
- NCFE (CACHE)
- Qualification number (QAN)
- 600/0047/8
- Guided learning
- 179 hours
- Total time
- 200 hours, including study and assessment
- Cost
- Free if you are eligible
Who it's for and what you'll learn
This Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care NCFE CACHE Level 2 qualification provides an ideal taster for those who may be new to the sector or new to the world of work. It is accessible to learners of all ages who may want to understand more about working in health and social care. It aims to introduce some basic concepts of caring and preparation for employment in the sector.
It aims to introduce knowledge around the following areas relating to working in adult social care:
- communication
- equality, diversity and inclusion
- personal development
- role of the social care worker
- handling information
- health and safety
- safeguarding
- duty of care
- person-centred approaches
What the course covers
To be awarded the Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care level 2 qualification, learners must achieve a total of 20 credits from the 9 mandatory units:
Unit 1 - Principles of communication in adult social care settings
The unit introduces the importance of communication in adult social care settings, and ways to overcome barriers to meet individual needs and preferences in communication. This unit is aimed at those who are interested in, or new to, working in social care settings with adults.
The learner will:
- Understand why communication is important in adult social care settings
- Understand how to meet the communication and language needs, wishes and preferences of an individual
- Understand how to reduce barriers to communication
- Understand confidentiality in adult social care settings
Unit 2 - Principles of personal development in adult social care settings
The unit introduces the concepts of personal development and reflective practice, which are fundamental to adult social care roles. This unit is aimed at those who are interested in, or new to, working in social care settings with adults.
The learner will:
- Understand what is required for good practice in adult social care roles
- Understand how learning activities can develop knowledge, skills and understanding
- Know how a personal development plan can contribute to own learning and development
Unit 3 - Principles of diversity, equality and inclusion in adult social care settings
This unit introduces the concept of inclusion, which is fundamental to working in adult social care settings. This unit is aimed at those who are interested in, or new to, working in social care settings with adults.
The learner will:
- Understand the importance of diversity, equality and inclusion
- Know how to work in an inclusive way
- Know how to access information, advice and support about diversity, equality, inclusion and discrimination
Unit 4 - Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care
This unit introduces the important area of safeguarding individuals from abuse. It identifies different types of abuse and the signs and symptoms that might indicate abuse is occurring. It considers when individuals might be particularly vulnerable to abuse and what a learner must do if abuse is suspected or alleged.
The learner will:
- Know how to recognise signs of abuse
- Know how to respond to suspected or alleged abuse
- Understand the national and local context of safeguarding and protection from abuse
- Understand ways to reduce the likelihood of abuse
- Know how to recognise and report unsafe practices
Unit 5 - Introduction to duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
This unit is aimed at those who work in health or social care settings or with children or young people in a wide range of settings. It introduces the concept of duty of care and awareness of dilemmas or complaints that may arise where there is a duty of care.
The learner will:
- Understand the implications of duty of care
- Understand support available for addressing dilemmas that may arise about duty of care
- Know how to respond to complaints
Unit 6 - Understand the role of the social care worker
This unit is aimed at those who are interested in, or new to working in social care settings. It provides the knowledge required to understand the nature of working relationships, working in ways that are agreed with the employer, and working in partnership with others.
The learner will:
- Understand working relationships in social care settings
- Understand the importance of working in ways that are agreed with the employer
- Understand the importance of working in partnership with others
Unit 7 - Understand person-centred approaches in adult social care settings
This unit introduces the concept of person-centred support as a fundamental principle of social care. This unit is aimed at those who are interested in, or new to, working in social care settings with adults.
The learner will:
- Understand person-centred approaches for care and support
- Understand how to implement a person-centred approach in an adult social care setting
- Understand the importance of establishing consent when providing care or support
- Understand how to encourage active participation
- Understand how to support an individual’s right to make choices
- Understand how to promote an individual’s well-being
Unit 8 - Understand health and safety in social care settings
This unit is aimed at those who are interested in, or new to, working in a social care setting. It introduces knowledge and understanding of areas of health and safety required to working in a social care setting.
The learner will:
- Understand the different responsibilities relating to health and safety in social care settings
- Understand the use of risk assessments in relation to health and safety
- Understand procedures for responding to accidents and sudden illness
- Know how to reduce the spread of infection
- Know how to move and handle equipment and other objects safely
- Understand the principles of assisting and moving an individual
- Know how to handle hazardous substances
- Know environmental safety procedures in the social care setting
- Know how to manage stress
- Understand procedures regarding handling medication
- Understand how to handle and store food safely
Unit 9 - Understand how to handle information in social care settings
This unit introduces knowledge required for good practice in recording, storing and sharing information in a social care setting. This unit is aimed at those who are interested in, or new to, working in social care settings.
The learner will:
- Understand the need for secure handling of information in social care settings
- Know how to access support for handling information in social care settings
How these courses usually work
Every provider does things a little differently, so check the details with them before you apply.
Where and how you study
Most of these courses are studied online, from home. You'll usually need internet access and a laptop or desktop computer. A phone or tablet may not be enough. Some providers can send paper workbooks if you ask.
How long it takes
- This qualification is designed to take about 200 hours in total, including study and assessment.
- Many learners finish in around 6 weeks by studying 4 to 5 hours a week. You can go faster if you have more time.
- Providers usually set a deadline, often 10 to 12 weeks after you start.
Support
Providers usually give you a tutor who marks your work and answers your questions by email, phone or message.
Assessment
There are usually no exams. Instead, you answer assessment questions as you work through the course and send them to your tutor to mark. If an answer needs more work, you can usually change it and send it again.
Your certificate
When you pass, your certificate comes from the awarding body, NCFE. It often takes 8 to 12 weeks to arrive after your final assessment.
Things to check before you start
- Many providers only let you study one funded course at a time.
- If you leave the course early, or don't finish by the deadline, some providers charge an admin or withdrawal fee, often around £125. Ask about this before you sign up.
Can I do this course for free?
ASF local flexibility: 19+, England resident, unemployed or earning under £26,800 (devolved areas vary).
Check whether you're eligible for a free course. The provider makes the final decision.
Where can I study this?
We've found 4 providers offering this course for free to eligible learners.
Answer a few quick questions to check whether you’re likely to get this course for free. We’ll then show you which providers offer it.
What could I do next?
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Sources
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care - List of Qualifications approved for fundingqualifications.education.gov.uk
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Carencfe.org.uk
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