Health & Social Care Diploma Level 3 (QCF)

About This Course

This Health & Social Care Diploma Level 3 (QCF) has been replaced by the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (610/0498/4). As such, learners enrolled to the qualification will be moved to the latest version, the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (610/0498/4).

The Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care is one of our most popular social care qualifications.

This occupational qualification, which is now provided under the new title “Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)”, is suitable for learners working in a wide range of roles in a health and social care setting, and can be used towards accessing nursing courses in universities.

The programme provides a framework to assess the learner’s competency relating to the health and social care sector. It has been designed to support the carer’s role in the workplace, and provides a pathway to higher level qualifications.

The course is particularly popular for learners currently working as senior care assistants and support workers in residential settings as well as domiciliary/day services.

The content of this level 3 diploma is regularly updated to reflect the latest Acts of Parliament, government guidelines and Codes of Practice, including:

• Care Act (2014) and subsequent amendments
• Fundamental Standards 2015
• Duty of Candour
• New principles of independent advocacy
• Revised Audit Processes, following the publication of the Caldicott Report (2015)
• The General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
• Skills for Care’s updated CPD guide
• Updates to the requirements for Care and Support Plans
• Updates to definitions of the balance between risk assessment, risk-taking and rights and responsibilities

The programme contains several different units of assessment, all of which sit within the ‘Regulated Qualification Framework’ (RQF). Credits are achieved for each unit completed (please see unit listing below for more detail).

This qualification has a workplace element where you will demonstrate your practical experience.  To complete this element, you must be in an England based setting.

The work placement must amount to at least 50 hours in total, and you must ensure that a member of staff with occupational competence is able to assess any practical elements and sign the witness testimonies to prove you have achieved the work-based learning outcomes of the course.

Course Units

Qualification Title: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
Qualification Number: 610/0498/4
Total Credits: 58

Unit 1 – Promote communication in care settings (A/650/1366)

• Understand the principles of effective communication in a care setting.
• Know how to meet the communication needs of individuals.
• Be able to communicate effectively with individuals and others.

Unit 2 – Handling information in adult care (D/650/1367)

• Understand the legislation and codes of practice relating to the recording, storing, and sharing of information.
• Know how to record, store, and share information securely and effectively.
• Understand the principles of confidentiality and when to disclose information.

Unit 3 – Promote own continuous personal and professional development (F/650/1368)

• Understand the importance of continuous personal and professional development (CPD).
• Be able to assess own performance and identify areas for development.
• Be able to plan and carry out development activities.

Unit 4 – Person-centred practice, choice and independence (H/650/1369)

• Understand the principles and practice of person-centred care.
• Be able to promote choice and independence for individuals.
• Understand the importance of respecting an individual’s identity, preferences, and needs.

Unit 5 – Understand how to promote personal wellbeing (L/650/1370)

• Understand the components of personal wellbeing.
• Know how to promote an individual’s physical, emotional, and social wellbeing.
• Understand the impact of lifestyle choices on wellbeing.

Unit 6 – Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights in care settings (M/650/1371)

• Understand the importance of equality, diversity, inclusion, and human rights.
• Know how to promote individuals’ rights.
• Be able to work in an inclusive way.

Unit 7 – Promote health and safety in care settings (R/650/1372)

• Understand own responsibilities and the responsibilities of others relating to health and safety.
• Know how to recognise and report hazards and risks.
• Be able to follow procedures for promoting health and safety.

Unit 8 – Support the health and wellbeing of individuals in a care setting (T/650/1373)

• Understand the factors that can impact on the health and wellbeing of individuals.
• Be able to support individuals to maintain their health.
• Know how to respond to ill health.

Unit 9 – Scope and responsibilities of an adult care worker (Y/650/1374)

• Understand the scope of own role and responsibilities.
• Know the limits of own ability and when to seek support or advice.
• Understand the importance of working within agreed ways of working.

Unit 10 – Understand duty of care (A/650/1375)

• Understand the meaning of ‘duty of care’ and its relevance to adult care work.
• Know how to respond to concerns about an individual’s safety or wellbeing.
• Understand how to manage risks associated with duty of care.

Unit 11 – Understand how to safeguard individuals (D/650/1376)

• Understand the principles of safeguarding and protection in adult care.
• Know how to recognise signs of abuse or neglect.
• Be able to respond to suspected or disclosed abuse or neglect.

Unit 12 – Understand mental capacity and restrictive practices (F/650/1377)

• Understand the principles of the Mental Capacity Act (MCA).
• Know how to support individuals who lack mental capacity to make specific decisions.
• Understand the term ‘restrictive practice’ and how it should be avoided or minimised.

Unit 13 – Infection prevention and control in a care setting (H/650/1378)

• Understand the importance of infection prevention and control.
• Know how to prevent the spread of infection.
• Be able to follow procedures for hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), and safe disposal of waste.

Unit 14 – Promote nutrition and hydration in adult care settings (D/650/1682)

• Understand the importance of adequate nutrition and hydration.
• Know how to support individuals to meet their nutritional and hydration needs.
• Understand the risks associated with poor nutrition and hydration.

Unit 15 – Understand personalisation in adult care (J/650/1379)

• Understand the concept and principles of personalisation.
• Know how personalisation can be achieved through person-centred approaches.
• Understand the role of the care worker in promoting personalisation.

Unit 16 – Facilitate assessment, planning, implementation and review using person-centred and strengths-based approaches (F/650/1683)

• Understand the purpose and process of assessment in care.
• Be able to contribute to person-centred and strengths-based care planning.
• Understand the importance of reviewing and adapting care plans.

Unit 17 – Move and position individuals in accordance with their care plan (T/615/7229)

• Understand the principles of safe moving and positioning.
• Know how to use equipment safely when moving and positioning individuals.
• Be able to move and position individuals in line with their care plan.

Unit 18 – Support individuals to access housing and accommodation services (H/615/7243)

• Understand the range of housing and accommodation options available.
• Know how to support individuals to access appropriate housing and related services.
• Understand the impact of housing on health and wellbeing.

Unit 19 – Cleaning, decontamination and waste management (R/615/7156)

• Understand the importance of cleaning and decontamination in preventing infection.
• Know how to carry out cleaning and decontamination procedures safely.
• Understand procedures for the safe handling and disposal of waste.

Assessment

Your course is assessed through a series of assignments designed to test your knowledge of the materials. You’ll access your learning materials and submit your work online via our learner management system. Your expert tutor will mark your work and guide you throughout the programme.

A mandatory work placement of at least 50 hours (which must be in England only) is required to complete the necessary witness testimonies and workplace assessment.

This course contains practical elements that will need to be witnessed in your place of work by a member of staff who meets the following requirements, as set by the awarding body: be qualified to a minimum of Level 3, have up-to-date CV and CPD records, and has completed an induction with our QA team to cover the requirements of the course assessments (and sign a document to evidence this).

Required Knowledge

Please note that to complete the workplace element of this course, learners must be in England.

No prior knowledge or skills in this subject area is needed in order to enrol onto this course, making it ideal for those just starting out in this career field.

Awarding Body

Once you successfully complete the course, you will obtain a certification in the NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF) Level 3. You will receive a certificate as recognition of your achievement.

NCFE is an educational charity as well as a leading provider of vocational and technical courses. With over 170 years of experience in providing an exceptional educational experience, NCFE collaborates with industry experts to develop smarter solutions to the most pressing learning needs. They are one of the largest technical and vocational awarding bodies in the United Kingdom, with thousands of people receiving qualifications each year. CACHE (The Council for Awards in Care, Health, and Education) joined NCFE in 2015.

After enrolling in your NCFE CACHE course, you will have two years of access to the NCFE CACHE Alumni membership. NCFE CACHE Alumni is a professional membership network for those working in the care, health, and education industries, offering valuable resources and advice for those studying for/with an NCFE CACHE qualification.

Please be aware that this course is only available to students in England.

Support

From the guidance of your personal assessor, whose industry experience will help to support and mentor your studies, to our comprehensive study guide and course materials; from day one we will go above and beyond to help you succeed in your studies. 12 months of assessor support are included with this course, however, it’s possible to complete this course within 6 months or less.

You’ll also benefit from the expertise of your personal assessor, ready to answer questions and support your progress every step of the way. Plus, our dedicated student support team is on hand to offer helpful advice and guidance whenever you need a little extra support on your learning journey.