Health and Social Care

What does the qualification comprise of?

There are two pathways for Health & Social Care. One is for learners in the social care sector and one for learners in the health care sector. The two pathways have different mandatory units.

Learners taking the health pathway must complete two mandatory units and four optional units.
Those taking the social care pathway must complete four mandatory units and two optional units from the options below.

The unit headings are:

NVQ level 2

Health Care Sector - 2 mandatory units (taken from the 4 available) and 4 optional units
Social Care Sector - 4 mandatory units and 2 optional units

Mandatory Units

- Communicate with, and complete records for individuals
- Support the health and safety of yourself and individuals
- Develop your knowledge and practice
- Ensure your own actions support the care, protection and wellbeing of individuals

Optional Units

- Carry out and provide feedback on specific plan of care activities
- Support individuals to access and use information
- Support individuals in their daily living
- Support individuals to make journeys
- Support individuals to meet their domestic and personal needs
- Support individuals to access and participate in recreational activities
- Support individuals to take part in development activities
- Support individuals during therapy sessions
- Provide food and drink for individuals
- Help individuals to eat and drink (cannot be taken in conjunction with Provide food and drink for individuals option)
- Help individuals to keep mobile
- Help address the physical comfort needs of individuals
- Undertake agreed pressure area care
- Support individuals with their personal care needs
- Support individuals to manage continence (cannot be taken with Support individuals with their personal care needs option)
- Maintain the feet of individuals who have been assessed as requiring help with general foot care
- Assist in the administration of medication
- Support individuals prior to, during and after clinical procedures
- Contribute to moving and handling individuals
- Observe, monitor and record the conditions of individuals
- Support individuals to undertake and monitor their own health care
- Support individuals who are distressed
- Contribute to working in collaboration with carers in the caring role
- Contribute to effective group care
- Gain access to, and ensure individuals' homes are secure
- Manage environments and resources during clinical activities
- Protect yourself from the risk of violence at work

Assessment

Each of the units is made up from specific elements applicable to Health & Social Care; for example, communicating and completing records, supporting health and welfare and care, protection and well-being of service users. Assessment takes place through evaluation of workplace performance, presenting evidence, witness testimony and questioning. A portfolio of evidence is produced, which demonstrates that the candidate can perform to the level described. Learners will have a Training Assessor who will help assemble the portfolio and prepare for assessment.