Working in Health and Social Care Pathway | Blackpool and The Fylde College

Summary

Are you currently working or volunteering in health and social care and looking to deepen your knowledge, enhance your skills, or progress in your career? The Working in Health and Social Care pathway at Blackpool and The Fylde College is designed specifically for individuals like you—those already active in the sector who want to build on their experience and make a greater impact in the lives of others.

This pathway offers a structured progression route through nationally recognised qualifications that focus on real-world application. Whether you're supporting individuals with personal care needs or stepping into a leadership role, each course is tailored to help you grow professionally while continuing to work or volunteer. With flexible delivery, expert tutors, and strong employer engagement, this pathway empowers you to advance your career without stepping away from your current role.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration / Fees
01 Aug 2025	Community Based	/ £0	Apply now
01 Aug 2026	Community Based	/ £0	Apply now

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

The Working in Health and Social Care pathway opens doors to a wide range of rewarding careers across the adult care and healthcare sectors. Whether you're just starting out or aiming for a senior position, this pathway supports your journey through progressive qualifications that align with industry needs.

Depending on your current level and chosen course, you could pursue or progress in roles in areas such as support worker, care supervisor or care services manager. These roles are in demand across residential care homes, domiciliary care services, supported living environments, hospitals, and community-based care settings.

Alternatively, you could look to progress to higher level study, giving you the opportunity to apply for more senior positions or specialise in a specific area of care or support work requiring further knowledge and/or additional skills.

Next steps at B&FC

This pathway is designed to support continuous professional development. Upon successful completion of each stage, learners can progress to the next level of study at B&FC:

From NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Personal Care Needs
→ Progress to NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
From NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care
→ Progress to Level 4 or Level 5 Diplomas in Leadership and Management for Adult Care

These qualifications prepare you for more advanced responsibilities and leadership roles within the sector, and can also support progression into higher education or professional training in nursing, social work, or allied health professions.

Employment Opportunities

Learners completing this pathway will be well-positioned to apply for a variety of roles, depending on their level of qualification and experience. These include:

These roles span a wide range of care environments and reflect the growing demand for skilled, compassionate professionals in the sector.

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 employment in health and social care settings.

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 equipment costs associated with this course. 

What will I learn?

The pathway includes a range of qualifications, each with its own set of modules designed to build your knowledge and practical skills. Depending on your course level, you will study topics such as:

Person-Centred Care and Communication
Supporting Personal Hygiene and Oral Health
Safeguarding and Duty of Care
Health and Safety in Care Settings
Infection Prevention and Control
Mental Capacity and Restrictive Practices
Leadership in Adult Care
Promoting Wellbeing and Independence
Handling Information and Confidentiality

Each unit is designed to be directly applicable to your current role, helping you to improve the quality of care you provide and prepare for future responsibilities.

Essential skills: English and Maths

N/A

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

As this pathway is designed for those already working or volunteering in the sector, a mandatory placement or employment in a relevant care setting is required. This ensures that learners can apply their learning in real-time and meet the practical assessment requirements of the qualifications.

To enrich your experience, Blackpool and The Fylde College offers regular guest lectures and employer engagement events. Recent sessions have featured professionals from the NHS, local care providers, and mental health charities, offering insights into current challenges, best practices, and career development opportunities. These events not only bring the curriculum to life but also help you build valuable industry connections.

How will I learn?

Our courses are delivered through a blended learning approach, combining the flexibility of digital resources with the benefits of face-to-face teaching. While some elements of the course may be accessed online, this is not an online-only course—you will be required to attend in-person sessions at scheduled times throughout the programme.

The programme primarily focuses on theoretical knowledge but also includes practical hands-on elements to enhance learning and application. This flexible approach ensures that students can engage with the material in a way that best suits their needs.

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 that you receive the guidance, peer interaction, and practical experience needed to succeed in the health and social care sector.

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 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.