Diploma in Health and Social Care - Level 3

90 or 180 Credit Course

Achieve a 90-credit diploma in your first year of study then top up to 180 credits on the extended diploma in the second year. The extended diploma gives you much more detail on the subject — it's the same as three A-levels and is a great route into university. If you already have 90 credits from another college, you can choose to top up to the extended diploma with just one year of study.

Introduction

If you want a career in social care or to take a degree in social work, sociology, psychology, social sciences, social policy, nursing or other care-related courses, then this course is for you. We emphasise real-world experience for you through a work placement, so you'll be working two days a week in a setting like a children's nursery or a care home. Completing your work placement is an essential part of your assessment and is well regarded by universities and employers so should give you the edge in your next steps. As you'll be working with vulnerable groups, you'll need to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly CRB) before your course. You'll have the chance to hear from professionals - like midwives and nurses - who are already working successfully in this area. They'll talk to you about their career path, the sorts of skills and behaviours you should demonstrate and what opportunities there are for people prepared to work. We'll also take you on field trips to relevant exhibitions and events, such as Nursery World at Olympia. We're also growing our work in competitions, including WorldSkills where our students produced care plans and did key health checks. Competitions are a great way show you new ideas and stimulate your enthusiasm.

The course covers:

Communication and supportive skills for care work
Research for care
Sociology
Psychology
Health promotion
Practical caring skills
Health and safety
Life span development
Issues for people who use care
Anatomy and physiology.

Assessment

An external assessment and internally assessed assignments with practical and theoretical activities focusing on real work situations. You'll be assessed on your practical skills during your work placement.

Next Steps

Move on to other health and social care courses at South Thames College. From the 90-credit diploma, move up to the extended diploma. From the extended diploma, progress to higher education, for example our HNC in Health and Social Care, or a degree at university, or look for work in a social care organisation.