Level 1 Certificate: Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children and Young People's Settings

Programme outline

This course is designed to develop your ability to work in the Health and Social Care sector. You will develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for success in working life and further study. The course covers topics such as: the role of the carer at mealtimes, health and social care needs, personal care of individuals, learning experiences for children and young people, leisure activities for adults, promoting healthy eating and communication with adults and children. This is a Foundation Learning course where you will also gain a Level 1 EDEXCEL Certificate in Personal and Social Development and Functional Skills English or ESOL and maths. In addition you will do a work experience placement for which you will need a CRB check (see entry requirements for details).

What do I need to get on the course?

An entry level qualification and appropriate standard of English, plus a College assessment. This course requires you to do a work placement where you will be regularly caring for, supervising, training, or being in sole charge of children or vulnerable adults. As an organisation that is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, we will ask you to have an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure. Please note that having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from studying with us. This will depend on the nature of the course and the circumstances and background of your offences.

Where does it lead?

Level 2 qualifications such as the BTEC First Diploma in Health and Social Care, Level 2 NVQs or employment as a care worker or support worker with a variety of client groups.

How will I learn?

You will take part in a variety of lively discussions, projects and classroom based activities such as designing and delivering a leisure activity. You will also do a 3-week work placement in a Health and Social Care or related setting to reinforce your learning. You will be visited and observed in the workplace by a tutor and you must keep a diary of what you have learnt. In college, you will have language classes and a maths lesson to reinforce the skills you will need in the workplace, for further study and daily life.

How will the learning be examined or assessed?

For the vocational qualifications, you will produce a portfolio of evidence which may include completed assignments, presentations and activities delivered in class and a work placement diary. You will receive regular feedback on your work throughout the course to ensure you stay on track. In addition you will take exam based assessments in English or ESOL and Maths, leading to Functional Skills qualifications.

Where do I go if I have further questions?

Prospective students can contact the course information team on 020 7613 9123. Or, you can email them: info@hackney.ac.uk

How much will it cost?

Don’t worry about the cost of learning! We can help and advise you. 16-18 year-olds do not have to pay tuition fees on FE courses and if you would have been eligible for EMA, you may now receive a bursary. Transport for London student travel cards are available, giving discounts to 16-18s. If you’re aged 18-23, many courses are FREE or DISCOUNTED. If you’re aged 24 or over and enrolling on an approved level 3 or higher further education course, you can get a government loan to cover the tuition cost of your course. You don’t start paying back this loan until you earn a minimum of £21,000 per year – and the amount you are charged depends on how much you earn. Visit the ‘Fees’ section of our website which is found under the ‘Supporting you’ tab at the top of this page for more information.

How do I enrol?

We start enrolments in the spring before the course starts. Make your application to the college via our central admissions department for details on 020 7613 9123 or by email: info@hackney.ac.uk. We will then invite you for an assessment and give you advice about the most suitable course for your level of knowledge and skills. For 16-18 year old students hoping to join a Level 3 course, you should apply early to get a conditional place, and contact us in August when your GCSE results are released (August).

However, early enrolment does take place during the summer. Please contact

For adults our main enrolment week is the last week in August.

Student success

Last year, 94% of our students achieved, compared with the national average of 79%. Most of our students also progressed onto higher level courses at HCC.

What's the time commitment

The course has approximately 12 hours teacher contact time per week – spread over 3 days. Additionally, you should spend 5-6 hours each week studying and completing homework. Your teacher will set you assignments and you must not hand these in late. You can use the college library, and we will show you useful books, journals, CD ROMS, Internet and VLE. Normally, you should expect to spend an extra 3 hours a week on private study. Your teacher will set you regular assessments and set deadlines for you to hand them in. At other times we will expect you to be using a range of resources to reinforce and extend class work (e.g.) books, journals, CD ROMS, Internet and VLE.

Where do I go?

Shoreditch Campus, Falkirk Street, London N1 6HQ. Visit the “How to find us” page on our website for directions.

Support for you

Before you start your lessons, you’ll take part in induction sessions, where you’ll meet other students and find out all about the support that’s available to you. This includes learning about the Virtual Learning Environment, tutorials and the campus facilities. All students can receive free, confidential and impartial advice on things like: your next step in education or your career, finance, housing, health, immigration, benefit claims, legal problems, sexual health, drugs, staying safe, personal / emotional concerns and other issues.

The college experience

Based in the heart of Hoxton, our Shoreditch Campus is a great place to study. It’s spacious, with well-thought our study facilities – plus outdoor and indoor social areas to catch up with friends. Students from many different backgrounds come to HCC and achieve – so you’re bound to fit in. Last year, 91% of our students said they’d recommend us to a friend. 83% said the college was a friendly place to study, 79% planned to progress onto another course with us and 97% felt that HCC was a safe place to be.

Information about the college

HCC is an award-winning College (Queen’s Anniversary Prize, Beacon Awards Winner (two years running), London Education Partnership Awards, TES 2012 FE Awards Winner, Investors in People GOLD award – and more!) It’s officially a ‘Good’ College (Ofsted 2010) with 82% of teachers good or outstanding. Courses range from pre-entry level right up to post-graduate level.