Dementia Pathway
Summary
Are you passionate about supporting individuals living with dementia and making a meaningful impact in their care? This pathway is ideal for those who want to build specialist knowledge in dementia awareness, behaviour support, and person-centred care. Whether you're new to the sector or looking to enhance your existing skills, this programme offers a flexible and accessible route into dementia care.
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.
- Understanding Behaviour that Challenges (Dementia Pathway) - Level 2
- Awareness of Dementia (Dementia Pathway) - Level 2
- Understanding the Principles of Dementia Care (Dementia Pathway) - Level 3
Through engaging, tutor-led sessions, you’ll explore the causes and symptoms of dementia, how to respond to behaviours that challenge, and how to promote dignity, choice, and wellbeing in care environments. The pathway equips you with practical strategies and a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by individuals and their families, preparing you for roles in residential care, community support, and specialist dementia services.
Next course dates
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Anytime
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Bickerstaffe House
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Anytime
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Bickerstaffe House
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Looking to build a career in Teaching, Early Years or Health & Social Care?
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
The Dementia Pathway is a valuable qualification route for those aspiring to work in health and social care roles where dementia awareness and behavioural support are key responsibilities. It provides essential knowledge for supporting individuals with empathy, dignity, and professionalism in a variety of care settings.
This pathway includes a series of qualifications designed to enhance your skills and knowledge:
Completing this pathway can lead to employment in roles such as Dementia Support Worker, Care Assistant, Healthcare Assistant, Behavioural Support Assistant, and Activities Coordinator. It also supports progression to higher-level study, including the Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care and the Foundation Degree in Mental Health, helping learners build a long-term career in dementia care and related services.
Next steps at B&FC
Having successfully completed the Dementia Pathway, students can progress to further qualifications offered by Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) to continue developing their knowledge and skills in dementia care and related fields.
These courses provide opportunities to deepen your understanding, specialise in dementia support, and enhance your career prospects in health and social care.
Employment Opportunities
On completing the Dementia Pathway, students can pursue a range of entry-level and progression roles within the health and social care sector. These qualifications demonstrate your ability to support individuals living with dementia and those who display behaviours that challenge, with empathy, professionalism, and person-centred care.
Potential job titles include:
Dementia Support Worker | Care Assistant (Residential or Community Settings) | Healthcare Assistant | Behavioural Support Assistant | Activities Coordinator (Care Homes or Day Centres) | Community Outreach Assistant | Personal Assistant (Direct Payment or Individual Employer) | Rehabilitation Assistant | Peer Support Volunteer
These roles are commonly found in care homes, supported living environments, hospitals, day centres, and community organisations. The pathway provides a strong foundation for working in settings where dementia care and behavioural support 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 in mental health and care-related roles.
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 three nationally recognised qualifications that build your understanding of dementia and how to provide compassionate, person-centred care:
NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour That Challenges – Learn what constitutes challenging behaviour, its causes, and how to respond with empathy and professionalism.
NCFE Level 2 Award in Awareness of Dementia – Explore the causes and symptoms of dementia, person-centred approaches, and effective communication strategies.
NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding the Principles of Dementia Care – Deepen your knowledge of dementia progression, inclusive care practices, medication, and how to support independence and rights.
Each qualification 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 strong foundation for working in dementia care and supports progression into more advanced roles or further 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 dementia 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 dementia care services, behavioural support teams, and local health and social care organisations.
Guest lectures and live discussions offer valuable insights into real-world practice, current challenges in dementia and behavioural support, 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 related to childhood illnesses, 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.