Occupational Entry in Social Care

Course Description

This qualification is designed to provide students with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to develop competence as a social care worker in a range of social care support settings. Equivalent to 3 A levels, the qualification has been designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed when working in social care settings. The qualification will provide employers with reliable evidence of a learner’s attainment against occupational standard knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) which form the minimum requirements for entry into the workplace and or further study.  

The qualification covers a wide range of areas which includes units covering: 
• working in social care 
• the care and support planning process 
• values and behaviours 
• mental health and wellbeing 
• learning disabilities 
• dementia awareness 
• Understanding anatomy and physiology 
• mental health and wellbeing 
• prevention and control of infection 


The qualification requires learners to attend a placement in a realistic work environment to support their learning. 

Learners who achieve this qualification could progress to the following:

  • Higher Education on to degree courses such as Health Care, Healthcare, Nursing, Social work, Counselling 
  • Straight in to employment as a care worker/personal assistant, social work, community support and outreach worker, activities coordinator and more.