Health and Social Care Level 1

This course is all about working with people, understanding how to support others and discovering the range of careers available in health and social care – from hospitals and care homes to community support, mental health services, early years and more.

You’ll explore key topics designed to help you understand people, teamwork and the care sector, including:

• Working with others – learn how to communicate, support teammates, solve problems together and build positive relationships.
• Health and social care values – explore the values that make great care, including respect, dignity, compassion, person-centred care and keeping people safe.
• Communication skills – practise speaking, listening, body language and professional communication used in care settings.
• Keeping people safe – understand safeguarding, confidentiality and how to protect vulnerable people.
• Understanding the care sector – discover how hospitals, care homes, charities and community services work.
• Job opportunities in health and social care – explore different careers, what they involve and the skills you need.
• Building your own skills – develop confidence, teamwork, problem-solving and professional behaviour.

You’ll take part in work experience, giving you the opportunity to get out into the community and see what health and social care looks like in real life. This could include:

• Supporting activities in community centres
• Helping with wellbeing projects
• Getting involved in local social action
• Working alongside staff who support people every day

Throughout the course, you’ll also work on community and social action projects. You might:

• Plan events for local groups
• Support charities
• Help raise awareness about health and wellbeing
• Work with organisations that support vulnerable people

These projects will help you develop teamwork, leadership and communication skills while supporting your local community.

You’ll also have opportunities to meet guest speakers from the health and social care sector, including:

• Nurses
• Social workers
• Early years practitioners
• Care home staff
• Mental health professionals

Assessment methods include:

• Coursework – practical tasks, written work and projects that show your understanding of the care sector.
• Practical activities – teamwork challenges, role-plays, communication tasks and real-life scenarios.
• Presentations – share your ideas, explain care values or present your social action project.
• Work experience reflection – show what you learned during your work experience and community projects.
• Portfolio building – collect evidence of your skills, tasks and achievements throughout the course.

After completing this course, you can move on to higher-level qualifications that can help you specialise and build a career helping people.

Progression routes include:

• Level 2 Health and Social Care

• Level 2 Childcare/Early Years

This course will help you understand the care sector and develop the basic skills needed for entry-level roles. With further study, you could progress into roles such as:

• Care assistant
• Support worker
• Early years practitioner
• Teaching assistant
• Community support worker
• Mental health support worker
• Residential care worker
• Youth support worker