Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care Level 2 Certificate (NCFE)
Course Overview
Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care Level 2 Certificate (NCFE)
Are you interested in making a meaningful difference to the lives of vulnerable adults in society? This online course is designed for anyone looking to begin a rewarding career in adult social care.
With an estimated 818,000 adults receiving publicly funded long-term social care and a further 224,000 episodes of short-term care in 2021/22 (according to the King’s Fund), the demand for skilled professionals in this area is clear.
This consists of nine units and will provide you with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to succeed in adult social care.
You will explore key topics including maintaining health and safety standards, communicating effectively, respecting consent, and responding confidently to challenging situations.
On successful completion, you will gain a Level 2 Adult Social Care qualification, demonstrating your competence and commitment to supporting vulnerable adults with the care and dignity they deserve.
Course content
Principles of communication in adult social care settings: Look at the importance of communication in adult social care settings, as well as confidentiality in these settings. Learn how to reduce barriers to communication and how to meet the communication needs, wishes and preferences of individuals being cared for.
Principles of personal development in adult social care settings: Explore the requirements for good practice in adult social care roles and will look at how a personal development plan can contribute positively to an individual’s learning and development. This unit also covers the learning activities that can be used to develop an individual’s knowledge and skills.
Principles of diversity, equality and inclusion in adult social care settings: This unit enables an understanding of the importance of diversity, equality and inclusion in an adult social care setting. Learn how to work in an inclusive way and how to access information, advice and support about the key aspects of diversity, inclusion and discrimination.
Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care: Learn how to identify signs of abuse, respond to suspected or alleged abuse, reduce the likelihood of abuse, and recognise and report unsafe practices. This unit will also cover the national and local context of safeguarding and protection from abuse.
Introduction to duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings: Look at the implications of duty of care, and the support that is available for addressing dilemmas that may arise in relation to duty of care. Learn how to respond to complaints and how to work in line with agreed procedures for handling complaints.
Understand the role of the social care worker: This unit explores the different types of working relationships in social care settings and how important it is to work in partnership with others. This unit also covers the importance of working in ways that are agreed with the employer to ensure you are following workplace policy and procedures.
Understand person-centred approaches in adult social care settings: Look at different person-centred approaches for care and support in adult social care settings, how to implement person-centred approaches, the importance of consent when providing care or support for an individual and how to support individuals to make the right choices. Learn how to encourage active participation and how to promote an individual’s well-being.
Understand health and safety in social care settings: This unit explores the key aspects of health and safety in social care settings and covers the different roles and responsibilities for health and safety. Learn about risk assessments, the procedures for responding to accidents and sudden illness, methods for reducing the spread of infection, techniques for moving and handling equipment and the principles of moving an individual safely. Look at hazardous substances, environmental safety procedures, stress management, the safe handling of medication and how to handle and store food safely in an adult social care setting.
Understand how to handle information in social care settings: Look at the need for secure handling of information in social care settings and the different ways of accessing support for handling information in social care settings.
Located at: Online
Course Start: Flexible start dates
Course length: 16 Weeks
Study Mode: Part-time
Course Code: QINDPAS201
Course Fees and Funding
How much does the course cost?
£724. This course is eligible for adult funding (eligibility criteria may apply). Please contact our team for advice on finance and funding options.
Aged 19 or over and thinking about studying a course?
You may be eligible for free or reduced course fees. Please visit the How to apply and fees page for further details.
Other funding information
Course Content
Other Resources
For further details, please contact our Information Unit by calling 01226 216 123 or emailing: info@barnsley.ac.uk
Having good English and Maths qualifications are important for most careers and we want to give you the help you need to succeed.
If you are aged 16 - 19 and don't hold a grade C/4 or above in GCSE English and Maths, you will automatically be included in your study programme. If you want to work towards achieving a higher grade in English and Maths, we can help you do that too and we offer Level 3 Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) which maybe added to your study programme, subject to approval from your chosen department.
If you're aged 19 or above and don't hold a grade C/4 or above in GCSE English and Maths we can help. We offer FREE English and Maths qualifications that can be studied on a part-time basis, subject to eligibility.
If you need any further information, please contact our Information Unit by calling 01226 216 123 or emailing: info@barnsley.ac.uk
Our Additional Learning Support team can provide you with the support you need. Call 01226 216 769 for further information.
Disclaimer: Please note we reserve the right to change details without notice. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
The course information on this page was last updated 20 May 2026.











