Health and Social Care Pathway | Blackpool and The Fylde College

Summary

Are you passionate about making a difference in people’s lives through compassionate, professional care? The Health and Social Care Pathway at Blackpool and The Fylde College offers a suite of Level 2 qualifications designed to give you the essential knowledge and confidence to thrive in the care sector. Whether you're starting out or looking to build on existing experience, this pathway provides a flexible and accessible route into meaningful employment or further study.

This pathway is designed as a progressive programme made up of several courses. You will advance through each of the following qualifications that build upon each other to develop your knowledge, skills and experience, with each level of learning preparing you for the next.

Covering personal care, infection control, medication safety, and safeguarding, each course focuses on real-world skills that are vital in today’s health and social care environments. Delivered through engaging, tutor-led sessions with no mandatory placements, the pathway is ideal for learners seeking practical knowledge and career progression. By completing the full pathway, you’ll be well-prepared for roles such as Care Assistant, Support Worker, or Healthcare Aide—and ready to take the next step toward a Level 3 Diploma or Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration
Anytime	Bickerstaffe House		Apply now
Anytime	Bickerstaffe House		Apply now

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Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

The Health and Social Care Pathway is a valuable starting point for those aspiring to work in health and social care roles where personal care, infection control, medication safety, and safeguarding are key responsibilities. It provides essential knowledge for supporting individuals with dignity, respect, and professionalism in a variety of care settings.

Completing this pathway can lead to further qualifications and specialised roles in personal care, residential care, domiciliary services, and community support. It’s an ideal step for those considering careers as care assistants, support workers, healthcare aides, and safeguarding assistants, and can also support progression to higher-level study in health and social care.

Next steps at B&FC

Having successfully completed all the qualifications in the Health and Social Care Pathway, students can progress to further qualifications offered by Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) to continue developing their knowledge and skills in the care sector.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PATHWAY

These courses provide opportunities to deepen your understanding, specialise in areas of interest, and enhance your career prospects in health and social care.

Employment Opportunities

Having completed the Health and Social Care Pathway, students can pursue a range of entry-level roles within the health and social care sector. These qualifications demonstrate your ability to support individuals with dignity, empathy, and professionalism across various care settings.

These roles are commonly found in care homes, domiciliary care services, hospitals, and supported living environments. The pathway provides a strong foundation for working in settings where personal care, infection control, medication safety, and safeguarding are central to the support provided.

Key information

Entry Requirements

Technical Entry Requirements:   

Age: 19 years or over (19+)

Additional Non-Qualification-Based Entry Requirements:   

DBS Check: A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is not required for enrolment on this course. However, it is essential for those seeking employment or voluntary work involving vulnerable adults. This check is typically arranged through your employer or placement provider.   
English and Maths: A basic level of proficiency in English and Maths is recommended to support your learning and understanding of the course content.

These entry requirements ensure that learners are prepared to engage fully with the course and are aware of the expectations for future progression or employment.   

Fees and funding

Whilst many adult courses are fully funded for 19+ learners, funding can depend both on the course itself and/or the learner's personal circumstances, including their current income levels and previous qualifications.

To find out if you might be eligible for full or partial funding or for an Advanced Learner Loan (Level 3 qualifications only), please visit our Financial Support section. You will also find more information here about additional financial support you might be entitled to such as help to cover childcare and equipment costs.

Extra costs and equipment

There are no additional costs associated with this course. 

What will I learn?

This pathway is made up of four nationally recognised NCFE Level 2 Certificates, each designed to build essential knowledge and practical skills for working in health and social care settings.

Understanding Personal Care Needs – Learn how to support individuals with dignity through personal hygiene, oral health, foot care, pressure area care, and sepsis awareness.
Principles of the Prevention and Control of Infection in Health Care Settings – Explore how infections spread and how to prevent them through hygiene, decontamination, and waste management.
Understanding Medication in Health and Social Care – Gain insight into safe medication handling, legal responsibilities, administration procedures, and accurate record-keeping.
Understanding Dignity and Safeguarding in Adult Health and Social Care – Understand safeguarding legislation, duty of care, and how to promote dignity and safety in adult care environments.

Each unit is delivered through interactive, tutor-led sessions and supported by practical activities such as case studies, group work, and scenario-based learning. The pathway provides a well-rounded foundation for learners aiming to work in care roles or progress to higher-level study.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

There is no mandatory work placement required for this course, making it accessible to learners who may not currently be working or volunteering in a care setting. However, gaining voluntary or part-time experience in environments such as care homes, supported living services, or community outreach programmes can significantly enhance your understanding and employability.

At Blackpool and The Fylde College, we enrich your learning experience through guest speakers and employer engagement events. These sessions feature professionals from care services, personal care teams, and local health and social care organisations.

Guest lectures and live discussions offer valuable insights into real-world practice, current challenges, and emerging trends in person-centred care. They also provide opportunities to ask questions, build connections, and explore diverse career paths in health and social care.

How will I learn?

Our courses are delivered through face-to-face teaching, providing a supportive and engaging classroom environment. Teaching takes place in dedicated learning spaces where you’ll benefit from interactive, tutor-led sessions that encourage discussion, collaboration, and active participation.

The programme focuses on developing your theoretical knowledge, supported by practical, hands-on activities that help you apply what you’ve learned to real-world scenarios in children’s social care. These activities may include role plays, group projects, case studies, and scenario-based learning—all designed to build your confidence and prepare you for the workplace.

Teaching methods include:

Interactive Lectures: Engaging lectures that encourage student participation and discussion.

Group Work: Collaborative projects and activities that foster teamwork and communication skills.

Practical Workshops: Hands-on sessions where students can apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios.

Online Resources: Access to a wealth of online materials, including videos, articles, and interactive modules.

This flexible yet structured approach ensures you receive the guidance, peer interaction, and practical experience needed to succeed in the sector. Tutors are experienced professionals who bring real-life insights into the classroom, helping you connect theory to practice every step of the way.

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of adult courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.    

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich our students’ learning experience and enable them to get the inside track on what working in the industry is really like.   

How will I be assessed?

Students will be assessed through a combination of methods designed to evaluate their understanding and practical application of the course material. The assessment process is structured to ensure that students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills effectively.

Assessment Methods:

Portfolio of Evidence: Throughout the course, students will compile a portfolio of evidence that showcases their learning and achievements. This portfolio will include various forms of assessment such as written assignments, case studies, and practical tasks.
Written Assignments: These assignments will test students' understanding of theoretical concepts and their ability to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Case Studies: Students will analyse specific situations, demonstrating their problem-solving skills and ability to provide appropriate care and support.

Grading:

The course is assessed on a pass or fail basis. Students must meet all the assessment criteria for each unit to achieve a pass.
The portfolio of evidence is a crucial component of the assessment process, as it provides comprehensive proof of the student's competence and understanding.