NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care

Unit 1 Equality, diversity, and rights in health and social care

• Understand equality, diversity, and rights in health and social care.
• Understand how to work in an inclusive way.
• Understand legislation and codes of practice in relation to inclusive practice in health and social care settings.
• Understand the role of the health and social care practitioner in relation to inclusive practice.

Unit 2 Human growth and development

• Understand the key elements of development across the human lifespan.
• Understand theories of human growth and development.
• Understand significant life events within each stage of human development.

Unit 3 Safeguarding in health and social care

• Understand safeguarding.
• Understand how to safeguard individuals in relation to legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Understand factors that may contribute to an individual being vulnerable to harm or abuse.
• Know signs, symptoms, indicators, and behaviours that may cause concern.
• Understand the lines of reporting and responsibility in relation to the safeguarding, protection, and welfare of individuals.
• Understand the role and responsibilities of the health and social care practitioner in relation to safeguarding individuals.

Unit 4 Communication in health and social care

• Understand communication channels in health and social care settings.
• Understand how to support communication.
• Understand legislation, policies, procedures, and codes of practice relating to information management.
• Understand how to work in line with legislation, policies, procedures, and codes of practice relating to information management.

Unit 5 Infection prevention and control in health and social care

• Understand the types of biological organisms that cause disease.
• Understand the features of vector-borne disease.
• Understand transmission of disease.
• Understand methods of micro-organism control.
• Understand precautions to be taken to reduce the spread of infection in a health or social care setting.
• Be able to minimise the spread of infection.
• Understand how infectious diseases can be controlled and treated by medication.
• Understand the requirements of RIDDOR and COSHH in relation to infection prevention and control.
• Understand the role and responsibilities of the health and social care practitioner in relation to infection prevention and control.

Unit 6 Psychological perspectives in health and social care

• Understand psychology within health and social care.
• Understand the nature versus nurture debate.
• Understand psychological theories relating to health and social care.
• Understand psychological approaches in relation to a mental health condition.

Unit 7 Sociological perspectives in health and social care

• Understand sociological perspectives in relation to health and social care.
• Understand the social patterns and trends of health and illness in the population.

Unit 8 Working in health and social care

• Understand legislation, policies, and procedures in relation to health and social care.
• Understand the requirements of professional standards and codes of practice.
• Understand the functions of health and social care provision and factors which influence service delivery.
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of practitioners within health and social care.

Unit 9 Reflective practice

• Understand professional development.
• Understand the role of reflective practice in professional development.
• Understand how the health and social care practitioner’s own values, beliefs, and experiences can influence the delivery of care.
• Understand how to identify learning needs and plan for professional development in health and social care.
• Be able to reflect upon and plan for own personal development.

Course duration

Once enrolled, you have up to one year to complete your studies. The course will take approximately 734 hours to complete. You will need to complete a minimum of 75 placement hours in a real work environment.  

Study method

This course will be studied entirely via distance learning, meaning you will complete your learning either from home or a place that suits you. Full tutor support will be available via email, so if you have any questions or need some guidance, your tutor will be here to help. Your course materials will include a series of self-assessment exercises and tutor-marked questions to allow both yourself and your tutor to monitor your progress.

The study method you choose depends on your personal learning style. Your options are:

• Study pack: if you choose the study pack option, you will be sent a set of printed course materials.
• Study online: if you choose this option, you will be sent your login details to our online portal through which you will access your course materials digitally. You can access your course via a desktop/laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone.

Assessment

You will complete tutor-marked assignments for each of the nine units included on this course. Some of these units will require you to demonstrate your health and social care skills, which will be assessed through your demonstration of workplace evidence.

You will also need to complete an external assessment from home, which will be marked directly by NCFE. There are three assessment periods each year (January, May, and September), so we recommend that you plan with your tutor when you are going to submit your external assessment.

Course outcome

QRN: 601/6109/7 

Upon successful completion of the course, you will achieve an NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care. 

You can also earn up to 84 UCAS points which can be used to help you get into university if that is the path you choose to take. 

Awarding body

CACHE became part of NCFE in 2015.

CACHE (The Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education) are the leading industry specialists in providing qualifications that specialise in the care and education sector. This course has been developed by experts to ensure that all requirements and skills are covered.

CACHE Alumni membership

Once you have enrolled on your CACHE course, you will have access to the CACHE Alumni membership for two years. CACHE Alumni is a professional membership network for those who work in the care, health, and education industries, providing valuable resources and advice for your studies when working towards/with a CACHE qualification.

What next?

On completion of this NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care, you will be able to use your qualification to demonstrate your skills and knowledge. Following on from this course, you will be able to progress your studies with a higher-level course, or even attend university if you have the UCAS points! You can also apply for a wide range of roles in the health and social care sector, including: 

• Care support workers in adult residential settings.
• Healthcare assistants in community, primary care, and acute health environments.
• Care support workers in domiciliary services, supported living, or day services.
• Community-based support workers.