Although there are no entry level requirements to be a PA, it can be beneficial for PA’s to obtain external training beyond what an employer provides on the job. This can not only build their knowledge, capabilities and competency but also their confidence. It can also help to evidence their learning and demonstrates an investment in their learning and development in order to increase the likelihood of retention.
Official qualifications in Health & Social Care include:
Care Certificate
The Care Certificate provides a foundation for PA’s and covers 15 standards:
- Understand Your Role
- Your Personal Development
- Duty of Care
- Equality and Diversity
- Work in a Person Centred Way
- Communication
- Privacy and Dignity
- Fluids and Nutrition
- Awareness of mental health, dementia and learning disabilities
- Safeguarding Adults
- Safeguarding Children
- Basic Life Support
- Health and Safety
- Handling Information
- Infection Prevention and Control
More information and to download sections of the Care Certificate workbook please click here (links to Skills for Care website).The Care Certificate standards can be achieved in the work setting.
Diploma in Health & Social Care Level 2
This is a suitable qualification for those who are just starting employment in the care industry or who are already working as a care assistant/worker. It can help you increase your skills and understanding of this sector as well as enhance your practice.
You MUST be working in a care role to study this course.
How will the qualifications be assessed?
You will build up a portfolio of evidence. This will be in the form of written statements or ‘Reflective Accounts’ along with supporting work products you have produced.
An assessor will visit you in the workplace at some point and undertake observations of you at work. These will be planned in advance in order to cause the minimum disruption to your work routine and to try to capture as much information as possible in one visit.
You may also supply witness testimonies or statements from third parties who you work with. This may include supervisors or line manager or other suitably qualified individuals who understand your job role and the standards you have to meet to obtain this level of qualification.
Once completed you may progress onto the Level 3 Diploma in Social Care where some of the work you have completed in the level 2 may count towards this.
You work through each unit step by step with your assessor to enable you to achieve all of the units that make up the full award.
You will need to complete Mandatory units then choose from a wide range of optional units that cover both knowledge as well as your actual working practice.
Further Information
Entry Requirements:
You must be in employment in the care setting. This can be full, part-time or in a voluntary capacity.
Age Restrictions:
The level 3 Diploma is not approved for those who are under the age of 18.
Availability:
England you can enrol at any time.
Diploma in Health and Social Care Level 3
This is one of our most popular Social Care qualifications. The level 3 in Social Care is ideal if you are working in a care setting and you have some level of responsibility in your workplace. At times you will work unsupervised. Perhaps you aspire to be a Senior Care Worker, or maybe you want to develop or demonstrate your existing skills in this field.
You MUST be working in a care position to study this course.
This qualification provides an excellent platform for those candidates working in care settings or working in a service users own home.
Therefore this qualification would suit the following groups of people:
- Care Assistants, support and key workers in adult residential settings.
- Care assistants, support and key workers in day services, or domiciliary services.
- Healthcare assistants and support workers in primary care and community environments or in acute health environments.
- Support workers in ‘Supported living’ initiatives and projects.
This qualification may also suit personal assistants for individuals, or the families of those individuals, who employ them direct.
Pathways available for this qualification
There are 3 ‘pathways’ or routes available to you depending on the environment in which you work.
Generic, Dementia and Adults with Learning Disabilities
To achieve this full ward you on any of the pathways you need to gain a total of 58 credits.
28 credits are obtained from the mandatory units of which there are 9. (Group A)
The additional credits are obtained from a wide range of optional units which fall into two groups, B and C, and you will choose these in relation to the work you undertake. The assessment team will be able to guide you through this process to ensure you achieve the appropriate number of credits from each group to gain the full award.
How will the qualifications be assessed?
You will build up a portfolio of evidence. This will be in the form of written statements or ‘Reflective Accounts’ along with supporting work products you have produced.
An assessor will visit you in the workplace at some point and undertake observations of you at work. These will be planned in advance in order to cause the minimum disruption to your work routine and to try to capture as much information as possible in one visit.
You may also supply witness testimonies or statements from third parties who you work with. This may include supervisors or line manager or other suitably qualified individuals who understand your job role and the standards you have to meet to obtain this level of qualification.
Duration
On average most candidates will complete in 6-9 months. Some may take less depending on their personal circumstances and how much time they have to dedicate to the qualification. Either way we will work at a pace that suits you.
Further Information
Entry Requirements:
You must be in employment in the care setting. This can be full, part-time or in a voluntary capacity.
Age Restrictions:
The level 3 Diploma is not approved for those who are under the age of 18.
Availability:
England and you can enrol at any time.
Funding
In most cases, employers can apply to have the funding to pay for qualifications claimed back via Skills for Care.
Please click here (links to PDF document) for the Skills for Care application form.
Please click here (links to PDF document) for guidance on how to complete the Skills for Care funding application form.