Stress Awareness - Level 1 | Blackpool and The Fylde College

Summary

Do you want to better understand stress and how it affects your health and well-being? The NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Stress Awareness is designed to help you recognise the signs and symptoms of stress, understand its causes, and explore practical strategies for managing and reducing it. Whether for personal development or to support others, this course offers valuable insights into one of today’s most common health challenges.

This course is ideal for anyone looking to improve their mental resilience, support others in stressful situations, or begin a journey into health and social care. You’ll explore the physical and emotional effects of stress, how it can impact daily life, and the importance of early recognition and intervention.

By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to identify stress triggers, understand how stress manifests in the body and mind, and apply simple yet effective techniques to reduce its impact. This qualification is a great first step for those considering a career in care, education, or community support—or for anyone who wants to take control of their own well-being.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration / Fees
17 Nov 2025	Bispham Campus	5 Hours / £202	Apply now
17 Nov 2026	Bispham Campus	5 Hours / £202	Apply now

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

The NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Stress Awareness is an excellent starting point for individuals interested in supporting mental health and well-being across a variety of care and support settings. It is particularly valuable for those aspiring to work in children’s services, early years education, youth work, or social care.

This qualification forms part of the Youth Social Worker Pathway, a structured progression route designed to build your knowledge and skills for a rewarding career in the children and young people’s workforce. Details of the other courses which constitute the pathway are outlined in the 'Next Steps' section opposite.

Completing this course can lead to further qualifications and specialised roles, enhancing your employability and opening up opportunities for career advancement in the health, care and education sectors. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to build on existing experience, this course provides a strong foundation for future success.

Next steps at B&FC

Having successfully completed the NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Stress Awareness, students can continue their learning journey through the Youth Social Worker Pathway at Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC). This pathway is designed to build essential knowledge and skills for those interested in working with children, young people, and families.

Progression opportunities include:

NCFE Level 1 Award in Awareness of Substance Misuse
NCFE Level 1 Award in Alcohol Awareness
NCFE Level 1 Award in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings
NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Children and Young People’s Workforce

Following these, learners can progress to more advanced qualifications such as:

Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce
Level 4 Apprenticeship in Children, Young People, and Families Practitioner
Practitioner in Children’s Residential Care

These qualifications and apprenticeships offer a clear route into leadership and specialist roles, empowering you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people.

Employment Opportunities

Having completed this qualification, students may be eligible for a range of entry-level roles where an understanding of stress and its impact on well-being is valuable. These roles often involve supporting individuals in care, education or community settings. and include:

Key information

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, it is essential for those seeking employment working with children, young people and vulnerable adults. This check is usually arranged through placement or employment.

These entry requirements ensure that students are adequately prepared for the course and any subsequent employment opportunities in settings. Additionally, students should have a basic level of proficiency in English and Maths.

Qualification obtained

Award in Stress Awareness

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 euipment costs associated with this course.

What will I learn?

The NCFE CACHE Level 1 Award in Stress Awareness is designed to help you understand what stress is, how it affects the body and mind, and how it can be managed effectively. The course consists of one mandatory unit: Introduction to Stress and Stress Management

In this unit, you will explore:

What stress is and how it differs from pressure
Common causes of stress in everyday life, including work, relationships, and personal challenges
The physical and emotional effects of stress on health and well-being
How to recognise signs and symptoms of stress in yourself and others
Practical strategies and techniques for managing and reducing stress
Where to find support and guidance for stress-related issues

This unit provides a strong foundation for understanding stress and developing healthy coping mechanisms. Whether you're looking to improve your own well-being or support others in managing stress, this course offers valuable tools and insights that can be applied in both personal and professional settings.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

Guest Speakers: The programme is enriched by guest speakers from the industry, providing valuable insights and real-world perspectives. These industry experts share their experiences and knowledge, enhancing the learning experience and offering students a unique opportunity to engage with professionals in the field.

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.

Teaching takes place in hybrid classrooms, allowing for interactive, tutor-led sessions that support both classroom-based and remote participation when appropriate. The programme primarily focuses on developing your theoretical knowledge, supported by practical, hands-on activities that help you apply what you’ve learned to real-world care scenarios.

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 school leaver 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 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.