Health & Social Care

We offer programmes, at different levels, in some of the most important occupational areas in the health and social care sector. Our programmes offer both direct access employment as well as progression to higher education and develop your understanding of anatomy and physiology, patient needs, rights and responsibilities as well as help you to effectively communicate with patients. You will learn how to ensure safe environments and support diversity, equality and safeguarding in health and social care. Career pathways include:

NHC programmes provide clear routes to higher education and, ultimately, professions such a nursing, social work and counselling.

• Healthcare assistant (HCA): HCAs work in hospitals and other settings such as GP surgeries. You would work alongside other healthcare professionals such as nurses, doctors and midwives. HCAs are also sometimes known as nursing assistants. Day-to-day healthcare activities include washing and dressing patients, assisting patients with feeding, assisting patients with their mobility, comfort and hygiene, monitoring and documenting patients' conditions such as temperature, pulse, breathing and weight.
• Social work: our programmes will develop your understanding of the work that social workers undertake with children and their families, the elderly, people with disabilities or mental health conditions, people suffering with addictions, the homeless or those affected by crime. Social workers conduct interviews to assess the circumstances and needs of different groups of people and offer them advice. They have to organise care plans, undertake assessments and recommend courses of action in liaison with other agencies such as the NHS, schools or the police.
• Clinical support workers: this role is also known as therapy assistants and involves working alongside health professionals such as physiotherapists, speech and language therapists or dietitians. In this role, you would be responsible for setting up the necessary equipment for a therapy session, preparing patients, assisting the therapist during the treatment and maintaining patient records and other administration.
• Care worker: care workers or carers deliver support and companionship to the sick and the elderly both at their homes and in specialist centres or residences. You will perform a number of duties to help clients feel safe, secure and comfortable in their environment. These may include assisting with dressing, washing, helping with eating, shopping, cleaning or attending appointments with clients and helping them manage their medication.

You will learn in a range of theoretical and practical classes, as well as improve your functional skills in maths and English so that you are ready for the world of work. All NHC programmes are taught by tutors with professional health and social care backgrounds who will give you first-hand insight of what it is like to work in the sector and provide you with tips and advice for your work placements. Work experience opportunities are also available at Roebuck Nursing Home.