Course overview
This course will provide you with the skills and knowledge for a future career working in the care sector or progression onto a higher-level course.
As part of the National Certificate, you will look at who needs care, where that is provided and your responsibilities as a care worker in many different care settings.
The course provides a broad-based study of theoretical and practical topics relating to Health and Social Care.
When completing your personal statement, please follow the guidelines closely.
What you will learn
Course units include:
- Care: Values and Principles
- Care: Human Development and Behaviour
- Care: Social Influences
- Understanding Mental Health and Mental Illness
- Caring for People with Dementia
- Health, Safety and Protection Issues
- Stress and Stress Management
- First Aid
- HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Infections
- Understanding the Needs of the Older Person
- Working in Health and Social Care Settings
- Core skills: Communication and Numeracy
- Working with Others
In addition, there is also the opportunity to gain valuable placement experience in a care setting
Entry requirements
- You should have a minimum of three National 5 passes including English, at grade C or above OR
- Successful completion of NC/NQ Level 5 Care.
- If you don’t have any formal qualifications, you are still invited to apply and will be assessed on your personal statement and performance at interview.
- You must demonstrate the personal values and qualities that are suited to Care work.
- Previous experience in working in Care is desirable but not essential.
For this course, if English is not your first language
- you need to have SQA ESOL Higher (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)
- If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment here at the College.
You need to provide a comprehensive personal statement with your application which MUST include the following:
- Why you wish to study health and social care.
- What type of care work you would like to work in.
- What you believe the biggest challenges will be for you coming to Glasgow Kelvin College to study and how you think you will cope with this.
- What skills and attributes you believe you have that would make you the right person to work in the care sector.
- Why you think communication is a vital part of care work.
You will be required to complete an application to join the PVG scheme from Disclosure Scotland
Career Opportunities
Future career opportunities include nursing, social work, health and social care work, paramedic, occupational therapy, or any of the allied health professions, if you undertake additional training at a higher level.
Future prospects
From this course you may be able to progress to:
- HNC Health Care Practice
- HNC Social Services (Care)
- employment as a basic grade Support Worker in the Care Sector.