Skip to main content

Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care

Course Overview

Are you interested in making a meaningful contribution to the well-being of vulnerable adults in our society? This free online course is designed specifically for individuals seeking to prepare themselves for a rewarding career in adult social care.

With an estimated 818,000 adults receiving publicly funded long-term social care and 224,000 episodes of short-term care in 2021/22 (according to the King's Fund), the need for skilled professionals in this field is evident.

This course, consisting of 9 units, will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills required to excel in adult social care.

Throughout the course, you will delve into crucial topics such as maintaining health and safety standards, effective communication strategies, respecting consent, and handling critical situations with confidence.

By successfully completing this program, you will attain a Level 2 qualification in adult social care, demonstrating your expertise and commitment to ensuring that vulnerable adults receive the care they deserve.

In England, you will gain an accredited Level 2 qualification.

In Scotland, this course is comparable to a Level 5 based on the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework. Upon completion of the course, learners in Scotland will receive a digital e-certificate issued by your college.

Key Information

Course Length
4-12 weeks
average course length

Course Level
Level 2

Awarding Body
TQUK
(E-certificates upon achievement)

Learning Method(s)
Online materials
Online assessment

For Individuals

Benefits

The benefits of this course include:

  • Learn from your own home, in your own time
  • Achieve a nationally recognised level 2 qualification
  • Access to award-winning learning and assessment materials
  • Subject specialist support from a Tutor and access to a Learner Support Advisor for everyday queries
  • Funding available – speak to one of our team for more information and to see if you are eligible.

    • Funded Course
    Yes

    Apply today and begin your journey to qualification

    Apply now

    This course is split into nine manageable units, including:

    Unit 1: Principles of communication in adult social care settings

    In this unit you will look at the importance of communication in adult social care settings, as well as confidentiality in these settings. You will learn how to reduce barriers to communication and how to meet the communication needs, wishes and preferences of individuals you care for.

    Unit 2: Principles of personal development in adult social care settings

    You will explore the requirements for good practice in adult social care roles and will look at how a personal development plan can contribute positively to an individual’s learning and development. This unit also covers the learning activities that can be used to develop an individual’s knowledge and skills.

    Unit 3: Principles of diversity, equality and inclusion in adult social care settings

    This unit enables you to understand the importance of diversity, equality and inclusion in an adult social care setting. You will also learn how to work in an inclusive way and how to access information, advice and support about the key aspects of diversity, inclusion and discrimination.

    Unit 4: Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care

    You will learn how to identify signs of abuse, respond to suspected or alleged abuse, reduce the likelihood of abuse, and recognise and report unsafe practices. This unit will also cover the national and local context of safeguarding and protection from abuse.

    Unit 5: Introduction to duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings

    In this unit you will look at the implications of duty of care, and the support that is available for addressing dilemmas that may arise in relation to duty of care. You will learn how to respond to complaints and how to work in line with agreed procedure for handling complaints.

    Unit 6: Understand the role of the social care worker

    This unit explores the different types of working relationships in social care settings and how important it is to work in partnership with others. You will also consider the importance of working in ways that are agreed with the employer to ensure you are following workplace policy and procedures.

    Unit 7: Understand person-centred approaches in adult social care settings

    In this unit you will look at different person-centred approaches for care and support in adult social care settings, how to implement person-centred approaches, the importance of consent when providing care or support for an individual and how to support individuals to make the right choices. You will also learn how to encourage active participation and how to promote an individual’s well-being.

    Unit 8: Understand health and safety in social care settings

    This unit explores the key aspects of health and safety in social care settings and covers the different roles and responsibilities for health and safety. You will learn about risk assessments, the procedures for responding to accidents and sudden illness, methods for reducing the spread of infection, techniques for moving and handling equipment and the principles of moving an individual safely. You will also look at hazardous substances, environmental safety procedures, stress management, the safe handling of medication and how to handle and store food safely in an adult social care setting.

    Unit 9: Understand how to handle information in social care settings

    Within this unit, you will look at the need for secure handling of information in social care settings and the different ways of accessing support for handling information in social care settings.

    This qualification could assist you in gaining the following employment opportunities and potential salaries:

    Care Worker – up to £19,834

    Personal Care Assistant – up to £20,407

    Residential Support Worker – up to £20,417

    Social Care Worker – up to £30,000

    Full cost Direct debit Fully funded
    £249 Initial payment of £24.90, 3 monthly payments of £74.70 To be eligible you must:
  • Be 19 or over
  • Have lived in the European Union for the past three years
  • Not be a current learner with The Skills Network or another provider
  • Learners must reside in England or Scotland
  • NOT have done the course of interest before.