Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare Settings (Health and Social Care Pathway) - Level 2

Summary

Do you want to play a crucial role in maintaining health and safety within healthcare settings? This qualification equips you with essential knowledge and skills to prevent and control infections, ensuring a safer environment for patients and healthcare professionals alike.

This course is designed for individuals who are passionate about healthcare and wish to understand the principles of infection prevention and control. By completing this qualification, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of how infections spread, the importance of personal hygiene, and effective methods for decontamination and waste management.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration
22 Jan 2026	Bickerstaffe House	9 Weeks	Apply now
07 Jan 2027	Bickerstaffe House	9 Weeks	Apply now

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Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This course opens doors to a variety of roles within the health and social care sector. This qualification is an essential step for those aspiring to contribute significantly to infection control and patient safety.

Completing this course can lead to advanced qualifications and specialised roles, enhancing employability and providing opportunities for career progression in the sector.

This course also forms the foundation for further study and progression within the Health and Social Care Pathway, which includes the following courses.

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE PATHWAY

Next steps at B&FC

Having successfully completed the Health and Social Care Pathway qualifications, students will be ideally placed to progress onto the following courses:

Completing these qualifications can lead to advanced studies and specialised roles.

Employment Opportunities

These roles are essential in maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety in healthcare environments, ensuring the well-being of patients and staff. This qualification provides a solid foundation to help you succeed.

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.  

Qualification obtained

Certificate in the Principles of the Prevention and Control of Infection in Health 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 costs associated with this course.

What will I learn?

This qualification is made up of four mandatory units that provide essential knowledge for maintaining hygiene and safety in healthcare environments:

Principles of the Causes and Spread of Infection in Healthcare Settings – Learn how infections originate and spread within healthcare environments.
Principles of the Importance of Personal Hygiene and Health in the Prevention and Control of Infection – Understand how personal hygiene and health practices reduce infection risks.
Principles of Decontamination, Cleaning, and Waste Management in Healthcare Settings – Explore effective methods for cleaning, disinfecting, and managing waste safely.
Principles of Infection Prevention and Control in Healthcare Settings – Gain insight into infection control policies, procedures, and responsibilities 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 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, 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 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.