Health and Social Care Level 3


  • Start Date: 01/09/2026
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 2 Years
  • Funding Support Funding Support:
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Looking for a future in a flexible and fast moving industry where the focus is on the individual?

Then look no further.

Health and social care is the career path for you.

The opportunities are so diverse you will definitely find something to suit you.

In the first year, we will give you the basic background of life in health and social care. You will study the following:

  • Human Lifespan Development – we will explore the fascinating course of life from conception to death and will enter into the nature vs. nurture debate.
  • Working in Health and Social Care – here we will examine some of the different roles and responsibilities within a health and social care team and look at how they support individuals.
  • Meeting Individual Needs – this unit will look at different individuals with very different needs and through case studies will explore how their holistic needs are supported.
  • Work Experience – here your experience in the placement setting will support you to look at your personal development and what you need to do to achieve your personal goal.
  • Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care Settings – there are two aspects of safe practices which will be explored. We will plan activities focused of assessing the risks involved and we will also look at our role in safeguarding the people we look after.
  • Promoting Public Health – we will compare the health of people in different areas of the country and how government policy is linked to health education.
  • Physiological Disorders – This unit will enable you to explore the background of different diseases and how the health care in our local area influences their treatment.

In the second year the units are more challenging and will really stretch and widen your understanding of the challenging and changing nature of the health and social care sector.

Required Entry Qualifications

Five GCSE grades 9-4 including English Language and maths.

Plus an informal interview with a member of the teaching team and a DBS check.

This course is free to those aged under 19 years old.

Most people aged 19 years and over can qualify for free course fees and there are grants and bursaries you can apply for to help cover the costs of coming to college, depending on your circumstances.

For one to one advice, contact our friendly team who will assess your individual circumstances and give you the right information. You can contact them on 0191 490 2246, [email protected] or via Live Chat. Or pop along to one of our Enrolment Events.

We’ll assess your progress as you go through the programme, giving you feedback to help you to improve where needed. Assessments will be marked against the standards of the awarding body.

You will link your knowledge to case studies and your practical placement experience will enable you to demonstrate your understanding.

Your progress will be assessed through a combination of exams and assignments in both years. Exams are sat in January.

If you choose to top-up to the extended diploma in year 2 then you will advance and extend your skills and understanding.

You will undertake an exciting research controlled assessment which will enable you to demonstrate just how far you have come.

There is a further exam and the remainder of the units are assignment based so you can show off your skills.

Your teaching team are ethusiastic experts who regularly return to industry to update their knowledge and keep up their skillset up to date.

They will motivate and encourage you to build your skills and confidence and there will always be someone to support you.

The work experience opportunities we offer with our network of employer partners are what sets this course apart from other colleges.

You’ll put the skills you’ve learnt into practice on work placements in a range of care settings.

 

You’ll need to buy a uniform for placements, a textbook and some stationary. We’ll let you know the costs of these items during the appliation process. Funding is available to help cover these costs for those who meet the eligibility criteria.

 

After the course you can secure a place at university where you might study nursing, social work, psychology, criminology or education.

Or we’ll support you to find a job; many of our students are offered work from their work placement employer.

Whichever route you decide to take, you’ll receive one to one support from your teaching team and our award winning careers advisors.

“The course is challenging but has widend my opportunities for the future.” – Leila Tiffin
 
“The good work experience really prepared me for the real world.” – Grace Heywood
 
“You must be committed but it is very rewarding.” – Leah Rayner

Whatever support you need, we’re here for you and will make sure you get the most out of your time at college.

We have expert teams in place to look after every single one of our students.

Our specialist teams can help with:

  • Learning difficulties
  • Physical and sensory disabilities
  • Dyslexia, dyspraxia, neurodiversity or other specific learning difficulties
  • Mental health and well being
  • Exam access arrangements
  • Money, finance and bursary advice
  • Careers advice, job and university applications

See here for more information, pop into one of our enrolment events, call us on 0191 490 4627.

Apply using the apply now button on this page.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE LEVEL 3?

  • Social Services Managers and Directors
  • Social Workers

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labour relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Median Salary
£37,828

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

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Knowledge

Therapy and Counselling: Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counselling and guidance.

Psychology: Knowledge of human behaviour and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioural and affective disorders.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Sociology and Anthropology: Knowledge of group behaviour and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Median Salary
£42,179

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

Find Out More

Pathways

Health, Social and Child Care Services
People in these occupations provide care and support services for children, healthcare patients, and the elderly, and administrate social programmes.
Natural Sciences
People in these occupations observe the natural order, formulate theories, run tests, and conduct experiments.

Pathways

Health, Social and Child Care Services
People in these occupations provide care and support services for children, healthcare patients, and the elderly, and administrate social programmes.
Natural Sciences
People in these occupations observe the natural order, formulate theories, run tests, and conduct experiments.

Skills

Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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School Leaver Course Guide 2026/2027

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

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