Overview

The objective of the Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Health and Social Care is to equip learners with the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills required for a career in the health and social care sector at a support worker, senior support worker or care assistant level. The programme enables learners to demonstrate their skills by producing evidence from their work activities, to meet national occupational standards. Learners will acquire skills to support a role in the Health and Social Care sector or progress to further study.

Entry requirements

The Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Health and Social Care can be offered to learners from age 18. It does not specify entry requirements for these qualifications. It ensures that learners admitted to the programme have sufficient capability at the right level to undertake the learning and assessment criteria.

Center must ensure learners are recruited with integrity onto appropriate qualifications that will meet their needs, enable and facilitate learning and achievement enable progression. The qualification is offered in English.

English requirements: If a learner is not from a majority English-speaking country must provide evidence of English language competency.

Equivalences

Qualifications at RQF Level 3 represent practical knowledge, skills, capabilities and competences that are assessed in academic terms as being equivalent to GCE AS/A Levels.

Qualification structure

The Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Health and Social Care consists of 6 mandatory units for a combined total of 60 credits, 600 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) and 120 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for the completed qualification.

Mandatory units

• Responsibilities of a Health and Social Care worker (10 credits)
• Personal and Professional Development in Health and Social Care (10 credits)
• Effective Communication and Ethical Practice in Health and Social Care (10 credits)
• Health, Safety and Wellbeing in Health and Social Care Settings (10 credits)
• Person-centred Approaches in Health and Social Care Settings (10 credits)
• Effective Handling of Information in Health and Social Care Settings (10 credits)

Duration and delivery

The qualification is designed to be delivered over 12 months for full-time study, but it is also flexible in its delivery in order to accommodate part-time and distance learning. The qualification is delivered face-to-face, through lectures, tutorials, seminars, distance, online by approved centres only.

Assessment and verification

All units within this qualification are internally assessed by the center and externally verified by Brit Institute. The qualifications are criterion referenced, based on the achievement of all the specified learning outcomes.

To achieve a ‘pass’ for a unit, learners must provide evidence to demonstrate that they have fulfilled all the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by all assessment criteria. Judgment that the learners have successfully fulfilled the assessment criteria is made by the Assessor.

The Assessor should provide an audit trail showing how the judgment of the learners’ overall achievement has been arrived at.

Curriculum

Diploma in Health and Social Care Curriculum

Semester 1: Introduction to Health and Social Care

1. Module 1: Introduction to Health and Social Care
   • Overview of the healthcare and social care sectors
   • Historical development and key legislation
   • Roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals
2. Module 2: Communication Skills in Health and Social Care
   • Effective verbal and non-verbal communication
   • Active listening and empathetic communication
   • Communication aids and technologies
3. Module 3: Safeguarding and Ethical Considerations
   • Safeguarding vulnerable individuals
   • Ethical dilemmas in health and social care
   • Confidentiality and informed consent
4. Module 4: Human Anatomy and Physiology
   • Introduction to the human body systems
   • Common health conditions and diseases
   • The impact of illness on individuals and families
5. Module 5: Health Promotion and Public Health
   • Strategies for health promotion
   • Preventing common health issues
   • Community and public health initiatives

Semester 2: Care Provision and Assessment

6. Module 6: Person-Centered Care Planning
   • Assessing individual needs and preferences
   • Developing care plans
   • Involving clients and families in care planning
7. Module 7: Medication Management
   • Safe administration of medication
   • Medication storage and record-keeping
   • Recognizing and managing medication errors
8. Module 8: Nutrition and Dietary Management
   • Nutritional requirements across the lifespan
   • Special dietary needs and restrictions
   • Meal planning and support
9. Module 9: Mental Health and Well-being
   • Common mental health disorders
   • Support and interventions for individuals with mental health issues
   • Reducing stigma and promoting mental well-being
10. Module 10: End-of-Life Care
    • Palliative care principles
    • Supporting individuals and families during end-of-life stages
    • Bereavement support

Semester 3: Specialized Areas in Health and Social Care

11. Module 11: Dementia Care
    • Understanding dementia
    • Person-centered approaches to dementia care
    • Enhancing the quality of life for individuals with dementia
12. Module 12: Child and Adolescent Health
    • Pediatric care and development
    • Childhood illnesses and immunizations
    • Child protection and welfare
13. Module 13: Disability Support
    • Types of disabilities and their impact
    • Assistive technologies and accessibility
    • Advocacy for individuals with disabilities
14. Module 14: Substance Abuse and Addiction
    • Understanding addiction and its effects
    • Substance abuse prevention and intervention
    • Support for individuals in recovery
15. Module 15: Supervised Practicum
    • Students participate in supervised practical experience in healthcare and social care settings, applying their knowledge and skills in real-world situations.

Semester 4: Professional Development and Certification

16. Reflective Practice and Continuous Improvement
    • Self-assessment and reflective practice
    • Continuous learning and professional development
    • Quality improvement in healthcare and social care
17. Career Development and Ethics
    • Preparing for a career in health and social care
    • Professional codes of ethics and conduct
    • Networking and job-seeking strategies
18. Final Assessment and Certification
    • Evaluation of the supervised practicum experience
    • Award of Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care