Health and Care Professions

HNC Healthcare Practioners’ Support Part Time January Start

UCAS Code

HP40

Start Date

7 September 2026

Award

HNC Healthcare Professions Support for England

Attendance

Part Time

Course Details

What will I Study?

1: Law, Policy and Ethical Practice –This unit introduces the legal, regulatory, and policy framework that underpins health and social care. Students explore how legislation, national and organisational policy, professional codes, and ethical considerations shape what practitioners can and must do.
2: Demonstrating Professional Principles and Values in Health and Social Care Practice – This is a 30-credit module and focuses on reflective practice, professional values, principles and behaviour. Students learn to use models of reflection to examine their own performance and development, building a Professional Development And Learning (PLAD) portfolio to collect evidence of professional growth and align with practice themes.
3: Supporting the Individual Journey through Integrated Health and Social Care – This unit covers how individuals access and journey through health & social care services in real-world settings. It emphasises multi-disciplinary working, coordination of care and support, communication, and how different services interconnect. Students examine the needs of individuals, how to assess and respond, and how care can be integrated to improve outcomes.
4: Fundamentals of Evidence-based Practice (Pearson-set) - Students are introduced to research methods, appraisal of evidence, and how to use evidence to inform practice. This unit involves a Pearson-set project, which requires students to investigate a topic, collect and/or review evidence, analyse it and make recommendations for safe and effective healthcare practice.
5: Principles of Health Education –This unit looks at methods and theories of health promotion, education, and behaviour change. Students explore how to design and deliver health education interventions, supporting individuals and communities to make informed choices and improve overall health and wellbeing.
6: Effective Healthcare Practice Using Maths – The emphasis of this unit is on the numerical skills required in healthcare. The includes calculating dosages, understanding statistics, interpreting data, measurement, and applying maths safely in practice. The unit ensures practitioners have confidence in using numeracy accurately in clinical and care settings.
7: Applied Anatomy and Physiology – This unit gives students knowledge of the human anatomy and physiology, including how body systems work, and what changes may occur during injury, illness or disease.

How Will I Be Assessed?

Written assignments and reports

Objective Structure Clinical Examination (OSCE) using simulated scenarios

Digital Posters

Presentations

Placement and Work Experience

Students are required to have a suitable healthcare placement – for a minimum duration of 225 hours.

What could this course lead to?

Graduates often progress onto the level 5 HND Healthcare Professions Support for England (HTQ) or into roles such as trainee assistant practitioner roles in a variety of physical health, mental health, and social care sectors.

Many also choose to progress onto studying a professional course in the areas of nursing, midwifery, paramedic, or other allied health professions.