Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care

This programme is designed for learners interested in, or new to, working in adult social care in England. It covers a range of key areas of knowledge applicable to working in the sector. The purpose is to give students a broad understanding of the role carers in adult social care and prepare students for undertaking a variety of social care roles.

Certificate of completion

Digital certificate - Included

The course is designed for home study or distance learning and is comprised of comprehensive printed course notes presented in an A4 ring binder, together with course assignments and study guide. Tutor support and a student helpline facility are integral to the course, and students have a full 12 months in which to complete their studies. Actual study time will be of the order of 180 hours.

The course is divided up into nine study units, each with one tutor marked assignment to be completed. Each assignment contains approx 8-10 written tasks to be completed which are then submitted to a subject tutor for marking. Where required assignments can be re-submitted after amendment in the event that the assessment standards are not full met on first submission.

The aims of this course are to allow students to develop a knowledge and understanding of the following aspects of working in Adult Social Care:

• Communication
• Equality, diversity and inclusion
• Personal development
• Role of the social worker
• Handling information
• Health & safety
• Safeguarding
• Duty of Care
• Person centred approaches

Summary of Course Units

The list below indicates the course structure and units, showing the list of accredited qualification units and the guided learning hours associated with each unit

1: Principles of communication in adult social care settings

Guided Learning Hours 17

The unit develops knowledge of the importance of communication in adult social care settings, and ways to overcome barriers to meet individual needs and preferences in communication.

2: Principles of personal development in adult social care settings

Guided Learning Hours 19

The unit develops the concepts of personal development and reflective practice which are fundamental to adult social care roles.

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

Guided Learning Hours 19

This unit develops concepts of inclusion, which are fundamental to working in adult social care settings.

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

Guided Learning Hours 26

This unit introduces the important area of safeguarding individuals from abuse. It identifies different types of abuse and the signs and symptoms that might indicate abuse is occurring. It considers when individuals might be particularly vulnerable to abuse and what a learner must do if abuse is suspected or alleged.

5: Principles for implementing duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings

Guided Learning Hours 5

This unit considers how duty of care contributes to safe practice, and how to address dilemmas or complaints that may arise where there is a duty of care.

6: Understand the role of the social care worker

Guided Learning Hours 9

This unit provides the knowledge required to understand the nature of working relationships, working in ways that are agreed with the employer, and working in partnership with others.

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

Guided Learning Hours 37

This unit develops the understanding of person centred support as a fundamental principle of adult social care.

8: Understand health and safety in social care settings

Guided Learning Hours 49

This unit develops learner’s knowledge and understanding of areas of health and safety required to working in a social care setting.

9: Understand how to handle information in social care settings

Guided Learning Hours 9

This unit develops the knowledge and understanding needed to implement and promote good practice in recording, sharing, storing and accessing information in social care settings.

This Level 3 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care is aimed at Learners who are considering, or starting out in, a career in Adult Social Care. It equips Learners with underpinning knowledge and understanding of the sector and their role within it. This quali?cation develops the knowledge needed and covers the role of the social care worker, safeguarding, communication, diversity, equality and inclusion, and personal development.

There are no study pre-requirements as the course is intended for learners who have not studied this topic beforehand.

This Level 3 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care is aimed at Learners who are considering, or starting out in, a career in Adult Social Care. It equips Learners with underpinning knowledge and understanding of the sector and their role within it. Consequently it is suitable for anyone seeking to make a carreer move into or withing adult social care.