NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

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The NCFE CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care prepares learners for Higher Education or careers in the sector, offering diverse units and real-world placements. Suitable for ages 16+, it completes in two years.

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NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

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About This Course

This comprehensive Level 3 Extended Diploma equips learners with in-depth knowledge and practical skills essential for a career in health and social care.

It supports progression to university or roles such as healthcare assistant, care worker, or social care coordinator.

The course is a fully-recognised qualification regulated on the RQF and included in the Department for Education’s performance tables.

Course Benefits

  • Recognised qualification for higher education and employment
  • Mapped to Care Certificate Standards, it enhances employability in various health and social care roles.
  • Develops practical and professional health and social care skills
  • Suitable for roles such as healthcare assistant or residential support worker
  • Expert tutor support and guidance throughout

Course Units

Qualification Title: NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
Qualification Number: 601/8435/8
Total Credits: 180

Unit 1: Equality, Diversity and Rights in Health and Social Care (K/507/1406)

  • Understand principles of equality, inclusion and discrimination
  • Explore the importance of rights and dignity in care
  • Apply legislation and codes of practice

Unit 2: Human Growth and Development (M/507/1407)

  • Study development across life stages
  • Examine factors influencing growth and change
  • Consider application in health and social care

Unit 3: Safeguarding in Health and Social Care (T/507/1408)

  • Recognise types of abuse and neglect
  • Understand safeguarding roles and procedures
  • Explore legislation and duty of care

Unit 4: Communication in Health and Social Care (J/507/1431)

  • Develop communication strategies
  • Understand barriers to effective interaction
  • Promote inclusive and responsive communication

Unit 5: Infection Prevention and Control in Health and Social Care (L/507/1432)

  • Learn principles of infection control
  • Apply hygiene and safety procedures
  • Understand legal responsibilities

Unit 6: Psychological Perspectives in Health and Social Care (R/507/1433)

  • Explore psychological theories and approaches
  • Understand behaviour and mental health
  • Apply knowledge in care settings

Unit 7: Sociological Perspectives in Health and Social Care (Y/507/1434)

  • Study how society impacts health and care
  • Explore social inequalities and diversity
  • Apply theory to real-world care

Unit 8: Working in Health and Social Care (D/507/1435)

  • Understand job roles and responsibilities
  • Promote teamwork and professional values
  • Examine service structures and standards

Unit 9: Reflective Practice (H/507/1436)

  • Use models of reflection in care
  • Review personal performance
  • Plan for development and learning

Unit 10: Empowerment in Health and Social Care (K/507/1437)

  • Understand how to promote autonomy
  • Recognise decision-making rights
  • Balance empowerment with risk and safety

Unit 11: Protection of Children, Young People and Adults in Health and Social Care (M/507/1438)

  • Learn safeguarding policies and indicators
  • Explore multi-agency working
  • Understand risk management

Unit 12: Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care (F/617/6754)

  • Study body systems and functions
  • Understand physical health indicators
  • Learn how to record and interpret vital signs

Unit 13: Research Skills for Health and Social Care (K/507/1440)

  • Understand research purpose and ethics
  • Develop investigative techniques
  • Apply findings to improve care

Unit 14: Personal and Professional Development (M/507/1441)

  • Reflect on personal learning and goals
  • Plan for CPD and workplace growth
  • Understand feedback and supervision

Unit 15: Certificate Synoptic Assessment (HSC1)

  • Apply learning from Certificate-level units
  • Complete synoptic tasks under controlled conditions
  • Demonstrate holistic understanding

Unit 16: Extended Diploma External Assessment (HSED2)

  • Undertake external synoptic assessment
  • Integrate knowledge across all themes
  • Produce structured responses under exam conditions

Unit 17: Certificate 75 Placement Hours (HSC/CPH)

  • Complete supervised work experience
  • Reflect on placement activities
  • Gain practical understanding of care environments

Unit 18: Extended Diploma 100 Placement Hours (HSC/EDPH)

  • Undertake further practical placement
  • Apply theoretical learning in real settings
  • Develop workplace confidence and skills

Unit 19: Dementia Awareness (T/507/1487)

  • Understand the nature and progression of dementia
  • Learn support and communication strategies
  • Explore the impact on carers and individuals

Unit 20: End of Life Care (F/507/1508)

  • Learn holistic end-of-life approaches
  • Explore symptom management and emotional care
  • Understand legal, cultural and ethical issues

Unit 21: Nutrition for Health and Social Care (Y/507/1515)

  • Study dietary needs across life stages
  • Understand nutritional guidelines and planning
  • Support health through balanced nutrition

Unit 22: Ethics in Health and Social Care (A/507/1491)

  • Examine moral and ethical frameworks
  • Analyse dilemmas and value conflicts
  • Promote ethical decision-making in care

Assessment

  • Internally assessed assignments for each unit
  • Two synoptic assessments (HSC1 and HSED2)
  • One external short-answer exam (Anatomy and Physiology)
  • 175 hours placement required to complete

Required Knowledge

Learners must be aged 16 or over.

Require 5 GCSEs at A-C (or 9-4), including English and Maths.

A work placement must be arranged before you enrol to fulfil 175 hours required to complete this course. The placement can be in various settings, such as residential care homes or hospitals.

Completion of the Level 2 Health and Social Care (Adults) (Northern Ireland) may be beneficial.

Awarding Body

Upon completing your course, you’ll receive a certificate recognising your achievement. NCFE, a renowned organisation offering vocational and technical courses, has provided quality education for over 170 years. In 2015, CACHE joined NCFE. Enrol in an NCFE CACHE course for two-year access to NCFE CACHE Alumni, a network offering resources and guidance for care, health, and education professionals.

Support

From the guidance of our personal tutors whose industry experience within counselling can 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. With twelve months tutor support, you have the option of completing in as little as three months, or using the full twelve months.

You too can take advantage of the extensive knowledge base of our personal tutors and use their experiences to get all of your questions answered. Similarly, our student support team are readily available to lend you their advice and guidance as they help you to decipher your course materials and answer your questions.

Only one click away, you can trust that help will be there when you need it.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is a question that our team are often asked, there are many reasons but here are the main reasons to choose Association of Learning:

  • No hidden charges, the price you see includes everything, from tutoring to certification.
  • Our average tutor marking time is 3 working days (most providers are 10+).
  • Our customers have rated us ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot.
  • Our courses are up to date. Many providers create course content and fail to keep it up to date.
  • We are open later than any other home learning provider.
  • As many submissions as you need to complete, many providers cap how many times you can submit work.
  • All courses are fully endorsed by external awarding organisations.
  • 14 day money back guarantee or course switch.

If you need any more reasons to choose Association of Learning, contact our team!


You have 12 months to complete your course, however you can complete at a faster pace without any additional costs. Some of our students have managed to complete in as little as 3 months!


This is a government-regulated qualification, with certification provided by an Ofqual-regulated awarding body.


There are two payment options, pay in full for your course or monthly. Our monthly payment option allows you to spread the cost of your course over a number of months.

If you choose to pay using a payment plan, to apply you must be able to answer yes to the following:

  • Your billing address is based in the UK
  • You have a UK based bank account
  • Bill payer must be 18 or above.

No, this course is assignment based, which means you will not have to complete any exams. If your assignment doesn’t pass first time, you can retry as many times as you need within your 12 months support period.


No, this is a distance learning course, which means your assessments will be submitted and marked using our online LMS (Learner Management System).


Unlike other providers, Association of Learning use a fast-track system to get your certificate to you within six weeks (our average is two weeks).

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