Preparing to work in Adult Care Level 3 Certificate is designed for students looking to embark upon a career as an adult social care worker.

The qualification covers the basic concepts of care including:

• Communication
• Equality
• Diversity and inclusion
• Role of the Social Care Worker
• Safeguarding

Support is provided for up to 12 months but it is entirely up to you how quickly you work through the course. The estimated study time is 210 hours so if you average around 5-6 hours a week study you would complete in 10-11 months. If you put more time in you can complete quicker.

The course is delivered hard copy in folders or emailed to you if you choose the online option. These are yours to keep so you can write on them, make notes etc. Your pack will contain everything you need to begin your course including your lessons, tutor and support information. In addition a study guide explaining how to get started along with comprehensive study notes for each element of the course is included.

Support is provided throughout the course via a tutor who can be emailed at any time should you come across anything you are unsure of. There is also a support team by telephone. Don't hesitate to ask if you are unsure!

Preparing to work in Adult Social Care Level 3 Certificate is split into ten units. At the end of each unit you will complete an assignment which you will email to your tutor. An assignment is a set of questions based upon the unit you have just studied. If there are any areas for improvements or anything that you have misunderstood you will always have the opportunity to re-submit.

The good news is there are no exams! Once you have completed all the assignments you complete the course.

Unit 1: Principles of Communication in Adult Social Care Settings

• Communication
• Relationships
• Comparing ways to communicate
• Communication methods
• Responding
• People from different backgrounds
• Barriers
• Strategies
• Support services
• Team confidentiality
• Day to day communication
• Potential tension
• Seek advice

Unit 2: Principles of Personal Development in Adult Social Care Settings

• Reflective practice
• Improving the quality of service provided
• Standards
• Values, belief systems and experiences
• Feedback
• Personal development plan
• Sources of support
• Roles of others
• Benefits of a personal development plan

Unit 3: Principles of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in Adult Social Care Settings

• Discrimination
• Promoting equality
• Supporting diversity
• Key legislation
• Codes of practice
• Consequences
• Beliefs, cultural values and preferences
• Inclusive practice
• Challenging Discrimination
• Raising awareness
• Supporting others

Unit 4: Principles of Safeguarding and Protection in Health and Social Care

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional/psychological abuse
• Financial abuse
• Institutional abuse
• Self-neglect
• Neglect by others
• Actions to take
• National policies and local systems
• Safeguarding
• Failures to protect
• Person-centred values
• Active participation
• Complaints procedures
• Unsafe practices

Unit 5: Principles for Implementing Duty of Care in Health, Social Care or Children's and Young People's Settings

• Duty of Care
• Safeguarding
• Potential conflicts
• Manage risks
• Additional support and advice
• Complaints
• Agreed procedure for handling complaints

Unit 6: Understand the Role of the Social Care Worker

• Working Relationships
• Personal Relationships
• Agreed ways of working
• Working in partnership
• Resolving conflicts
• Accessing support and advice

Unit 7: Understand Person-Centred Approaches in Adult Social Care Settings

• Person-centred values
• Needs of an individual
• Planning care and support
• Consent
• Participation
• Reducing barriers
• Active participation
• Informed choices
• Risk-taking
• Supporting individuals
• Individual identity
• Self-esteem
• Well-being

Unit 8: Understand Health and Safety in Social Care Settings

• Person-centred approaches
• Values
• Care plan
• Complex and sensitive situation
• Individual's changing needs or preferences
• Consent
• Active participation
• Holistic needs
• Approaches to support
• Influencing individual's choices
• Self-image
• Self-esteem
• Risk Assessment

Unit 9: Understand Health and Safety in Social Care Settings

• Health and Safety
• Policies and procedures
• Training
• Additional support
• Risk assessment
• Accidents and sudden illness
• Procedures
• First aiders
• Hygiene prevention methods
• Personal protective equipment
• Safe moving and handling
• Not following a care plan
• Hazardous substances
• Environmental safety
• Emergency plan
• Managing stress
• Handling medication
• Food safety

Unit 10: Understand How to Handle Information in Social Care Settings

• Legislation and codes
• Handling information
• Up to date records
• Storing information
• Security
• Supporting others

Upon successful completion of the course you will achieve an NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Preparing for Work in Adult Social Care.

CACHE became part of NCFE in 2015.

CACHE (the Council of Awards in Care, Health and Education) are the UK's leading awarding organisation for the childcare and social care sectors, and are part of the RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) which ensures the highest level quality courses and industry recognised qualifications.

Once you have enrolled on your CACHE course, you will be entitled to access the CACHE Alumni Membership for 2 years. Please contact our Student Support team for further information on 0330 563100. CACHE Alumni is a Professional Membership Network for those who work in the CACHE industries, providing valuable resources and advice for professional studying towards/with a CACHE qualification.