Principles of End of Life Care: Level 2 Certificate
For a wide range of learners who wish to gain an understanding of end of life care.
Course summary
- Qualification
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of End of Life Care
- Level
- Level 2
- Awarding body
- NCFE (CACHE)
- Qualification number (QAN)
- 601/3818/X
- Guided learning
- 135 hours
- Total time
- 160 hours, including study and assessment
- Cost
- Free if you are eligible
Who it's for and what you'll learn
This Principles of End of Life Care NCFE CACHE Level 2 qualification is designed for a wide range of learners who wish to gain an understanding of end of life care. These may be learners who wish to access this training with a view to progress to further qualifications or employment within health and social care, to complement other qualifications in apprenticeship frameworks within health or health and social care, or to develop in their current job role within health and social care.
This qualification aims to develop the learner’s knowledge and understanding of:
- how to work in end of life care
- the support needed to manage pain and discomfort
- how dementia impacts on end of life care
- the role of the care worker in time of death
- the loss and grief process
The objectives of this qualification are to:
- give learners working in, or intending to work in, healthcare and social care the knowledge and understanding of end of life care to support their role
- enable learners to progress to other qualifications in this subject area, or within the wider area of health and social care
What the course covers
To be awarded the Principles of End of Life Care level 2 qualification, learners are required to successfully complete all 6 mandatory units:
Unit 1 - Understand how to work in end of life care
The purpose of this unit is to assess the learner’s knowledge and understanding when beginning to work in end of life care.
The learner will:
- Know different perspectives on death and dying
- Understand the aims, principles and policies of end of life care
- Understand factors regarding communication in end of life care
- Know how to access the range of support services available to individuals and others
Unit 2 - Care planning in end of life care
This unit provides learners with an understanding of the person-centred approach to care planning within end of life care.
The learner will:
- Understand the holistic approach to end of life care
- Understand person-centred assessment and care planning
- Understand advance care planning
Unit 3 - Understand how to provide support to manage pain and discomfort
This unit provides the learner with the knowledge and skills to provide support for managing pain and discomfort.
The learner will:
- Understand approaches to managing pain and discomfort
- Know how to assist in minimising individuals’ pain or discomfort
- Know how to monitor, record and report on the management of individuals’ pain or discomfort
Unit 4 - End of life care and dementia
This unit aims to enable learners to understand how the condition of dementia impacts on an individual’s end of life care.
The learner will:
- Know how an individual’s dementia can affect their end of life care
- Know how to support individuals with dementia affected by pain and distress at end of life
- Know how to support family, significant others and friends of an individual with dementia at end of life
Unit 5 - Understanding the role of the care worker in time of death
This unit aims to enable learners to understand the role of the care worker at time of death.
The learner will:
- Understand how to support an individual as they are approaching death
- Understand how to care for a deceased individual
- Know the support needed by family, significant others and friends of the deceased individual
- Understand relevant legislation and policies
Unit 6 - Understand loss and grief in end of life care
This unit aims to enable learners to understand the processes of loss and grief and their impact on the individual receiving care, significant others, and care workers.
The learner will:
- Know the process of loss and grief
- Understand loss in the context of end of life care
- Understand how to support people following bereavement
- Understand how to manage own feelings of loss and grief when working in end of life care
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 160 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 if you're eligible for this course using the "Am I eligible?" form below. It also shows which providers offer it. The provider makes the final decision.
You can also read who can get a free course.
Where can I study this?
We've found 5 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?
Related courses
Care and Management of Diabetes
Level 2
For a wide range of learners who wish to gain an understanding of the care and management of diabetes.
Common Health Conditions
Level 2
For learners looking to start work in, or already working in, health and social care, who would like an understanding of common health conditions.
Customer Service for Health and Social Care Settings
Level 2
For learners who want to develop an understanding of how to deliver effective customer service in health and social care settings.
Dignity and Safeguarding in Adult Health and Social Care
Level 2
For individuals working with, or intending to work with, vulnerable adults in the health and social care sectors.
Falls Prevention Awareness
Level 2
For anyone working in a healthcare or social care environment, particularly those that support, or have contact with, older people.
Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care
Level 2
For anyone working towards a career in adult health and social care in a supervised job role.
Sources
- NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of End of Life Care - List of Qualifications approved for fundingqualifications.education.gov.uk
- NCFE qualification specification (601/3818/X)ncfe.org.uk (PDF)
Last reviewed: