Your induction into social care
You don't necessarily need any qualifications to get a job in social care. When you start your job, you'll get an induction which includes the Care Certificate or equivalent.
The Care Certificate
The Care Certificate is an agreed set of standards that define the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of specific job roles in social care. It's made up of the 15 minimum standards that should be covered if you are new to working in social care. They are;
- 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
Care Certificate standards (PDF, 649 Kb)
Read this document to learn more about the Care Certificate standards.
On the job training
As well as completing the Care Certificate, you will have the opportunity to complete lots of different training. Some training, such as infection control and safeguarding adults, is mandatory for all care and support professionals.
Other training is more specialist and will differ depending on your role and the needs of the people who use your service. Examples of specialist training include dementia and autism awareness.
Social care qualifications
There are also other qualifications that you can do that would benefit a career in social care. Some of these can be done in school, college and/or university but others can be done whilst your in work and can be fully funded. Some examples can be found below;
GCSE Health & Social Care
QCF Level 2 Health & Social Care
QCF Level 3 Health & Social Care
QCF Level 4 Health & Social Care
QCF Level 5 Health & Social Care - Advanced practise & Management
QCF Level 7 Health & Social Care - Diploma in Management
A-Level Health & Social Care
A-Level Social Sciences
A-Level Sociology
A-Level Psychology
Degree in Health & Social Care
Degree in Social Work
Degree in Psychology
Degree in Nursing
Degree in Counselling
