Introductory Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 1

Start Date: 01/09/2026
Course is for: School Leaver
Course Length: 1 Year
Funding Support:
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Designed to be taken over one year, this course gives you the opportunity to develop a range of skills in the health and social care sector.

It will support your progression into an apprenticeship or on to further study.

The course will be delivered in a practical way to develop knowledge, understanding and transferable skills.

Alongside the course you will be able to develop your maths and English skills as well as valuable employability skills.

You will have the opportunity to visit health social care settings as well as support our charity enterprises.

The units you will study are:

Unit 1 – Being Organised – we will learn about the key techniques which help us to organise our work and priorities as well as manage time.

Unit 2 – Developing a Personal Progression Plan – we will develop the skills and behaviours needed to progress to the next stage in our learning, identifying the progression opportunities and creating a plan.

Unit 3 – Working with Others – we will develop essential communication skills whilst problem solving in a team to work effectively together.

Unit 4 – Researching a Topic – we will develop the skills necessary to plan and carry out research into a given topic before presenting the findings.

Unit 5 – Finding out about Health and Social Care Services – we will find out and present information about different types of health & social care services and how they meet the needs of individuals

Unit 6 – Communication Skills for Health & Social Care – we will develop verbal and non-verbal communication skills which will support us in a range of settings.

Unit 7 – Making Healthy Snacks when Caring for People – we will develop skills in preparing and making healthy snacks when caring for different age groups.

Unit 8 – Advising Others about Healthy Lifestyles – we will select and prepare information to promote healthy lifestyles and present the information.

Unit 9 – Providing a Creative Activity when Caring for People – we will develop skills in setting up and running a creative activity for a group of individuals with health or social care needs.

Unit 12 – Visiting a Health & Social Care Setting – we will visit some different health or social care settings to develop our knowledge of working practices.

Required Entry Qualifications

You should have studied for GCSEs and are likely to have a range of these at grades 1-3.

Alternative qualifications acceptable at the discretion of the Curriculum Leader.

You will require a DBS check before you are able to go into a placement setting.

Assessment

You will be assessed though a range of different methods including:

carrying out practical tasks
role plays
presenting information
keeping records
producing handouts

You will be able to work towards pass, merit or distinction levels as your confidence increases.

The Teaching Team

The teaching team is very supportive and will encourage you with your learning whilst developing your skills.

Work Experience & Employer Partners

There will be an opportunity as part of your course to visit some settings to develop your skills and if appropriate will be able to spend some time putting your understanding and knowledge into practice.

Facilities, Kit And Equipment

You will need to provide files and paper to take notes and prepare your assignments.

You will need a tunic for visiting placement settings but it may be possible to borrow one from the college.

Next Steps

This qualification will prepare you for further study at a higher level in health & social care subject to satisfactory attendance and performance.

In addition, the transferable skills developed will support study in other areas or moving into the work place settings.

Costs (excluding Fees)

Stationary materials for study.

You can get a uniform tunic for placement but this may be borrowed from the college.

How We Support You

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.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN INTRODUCTORY DIPLOMA IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE LEVEL 1?

Care Workers and Home Carers

Social Workers

Complementary Health Associate Professionals

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.

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

Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

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.

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.

Median Salary
£21,256

Average Qualifications
Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

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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.

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

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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.

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.

Median Salary
£29,358

Average Qualifications
Level 4 NVQ; Intermediate, DipHE, DipFE

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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.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Mathematics

Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science

Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

View More About This Career

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.

View More About This Career

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.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.