Summary
Are you ready to begin a meaningful career supporting children, young people, and families? The Prepare for Children’s Social Care Pathway combines two nationally recognised qualifications. This course merges the NCFE CACHE Level 1 Certificate in Wellbeing and the Level 1 Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings into one accessible and supportive programme. This course is ideal for adults returning to education or exploring a new career in children’s social care.
Through engaging, tutor-led sessions, you’ll build confidence and gain essential knowledge in areas such as child development, safeguarding, communication, and person-centred care. This pathway provides a strong foundation for further study or entry-level employment in youth services, or residential care settings helping you take the first step toward making a lasting impact in the lives of children and families.
Looking to build a career in Teaching, Early Years or Health & Social Care?
Entry Requirements
Technical Entry Requirements:
- Age: 19 years or over (19+)
Additional Non-Qualification-Based Entry Requirements:
- DBS Check: While a DBS check is not required for enrolment on the course. However, it is essential for those seeking employment working with children and young people. 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 students are adequately prepared for the course and any subsequent employment opportunities in settings involving children and young people.
Where can this subject lead?
Career progression
Learners who achieve this qualification could progress onto:
Next steps at B&FC
Upon successful completion learners can continue their journey within the children’s services pathway.
The next steps include:
- NCFE Level 2 Certificate Technical Specialist in Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences
- NCFE Level 2 Diploma Technical Occupational Entry for Early Years Practitioner
- NCFE Level 2 Certificate Children and Young People’s Workforce
- NCFE Level 3 Diploma Technical Occupational Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)
These qualifications support your development into more advanced roles and help you meet the requirements for employment in regulated early years environments.
Employment Opportunities
There are various employment opportunities that learners could pursue on successful completion of this programme, including:
- Residential Care Assistant
- Youth Support Worker
- Early Years Assistant
- Childcare Assistant
- Support Worker in Children’s Services
- Community Support Worker
- Family Support Worker
- Playgroup Assistant
- Health and Social Care Assistant
- Volunteer in Youth or Community Projects
Key information
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 for this course.
What will I learn?
The Prepare for Children’s Social Care Pathway combines two nationally recognised qualifications to give you a well-rounded foundation in children’s social care.
This course introduces you to a wide range of topics that support the care, development, and well-being of young children. Each unit is designed to give you practical knowledge and insight into how to support children and young people within the children’s services sector.
NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Wellbeing
- Introduction to stress and stress management
- Develop an awareness of mental health
- Develop an awareness of relationships and sexual health
- Develop an awareness of substance misuse
- Introduction to alcohol awareness
Understanding Eating Disorders
NCFE CACHE Level 1 Diploma in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings
- Understand the Range of Service Provision and Roles
- Introductory Awareness of Person-Centred Support
- Understand the Principles and Values
- Introductory Awareness of Equality and Inclusion
- Awareness of Protection and Safeguarding
- Introduction to Communication
- Introductory Awareness of Health and Safety
- Children and Young People’s Development
- Healthy Lifestyles
- Autistic Spectrum Condition
- Learning Disabilities
- Mental Health
- Bereavement in Care Settings
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 yet be working or volunteering within the children’s social care sector. However, gaining voluntary or employment experience in a children’s residential home, support group, or similar environment is highly encouraged, as it can enhance your understanding of the course content and improve your future employability.
At Blackpool and The Fylde College, we enrich your learning experience through a variety of guest speakers and employer engagement activities. These may include visits from Residential Care Workers, Responsible Individuals, Social Workers, local children’s services support groups and family support services, offering valuable insights into real-world practice. These sessions provide opportunities to ask questions, explore career pathways, and connect classroom learning with the realities of working in early years care.
Importantly, students on the programme will be offered guaranteed interviews with local employers at the end of the course. This unique opportunity helps you transition into the workforce, build confidence, and potentially secure employment in a children’s social care setting.
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.
This flexible yet structured approach ensures you receive the guidance, peer interaction, and practical experience needed to succeed in the sector through:
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.
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.