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Entry in Social Care (Diploma) - Level 3
Overview
IMPORTANT
Applications are now open for academic year 2026/2027, but our full-time courses are still being finalised. If your chosen course changes, we'll contact you to offer a suitable alternative that matches your goals. For more information, call our Enquiries Team on 0808 100 3626.
Entry in Social Care is a vocational course, equivalent to 3 A Levels. which will provide you with a pathway to pursue a career in the social care sector. You will gain the knowledge, understanding and skills required to develop competence as a social care working in a range of social care support settings.
You will attend work placements to support you with applying your theory to practice.
What will I study?
- Working in social care
- Equality, diversity, dignity and rights in social care
- Duty of care
- Communication in social care
- The care and support planning process
- Person-centred approaches and risk assessments
- Values and behaviours
- Advocacy in social care
- Safeguarding in social care
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Health and safety in social care
- Prevention and control of infection
- Personal and professional development
- Working with others
- Research in social care
- Good practice in social care
- Psychology in social care
- Sociology of health and illness
- Understanding anatomy and physiology
- End of life care
- Learning disabilities
- Dementia awareness
- Understanding autism.
- Entry requirements
- Three GCSEs grade 4-9 including English language
- GCSE Maths grade 3-9
- A successful DBS check (this must be completed by the end of September).
If you are not studying a traditional GCSE programme, we accept alternative qualifications like Functional Skills and vocational courses. If you are not planning on sitting GCSE exams, we can also support you with completing an English Language and Maths assessment. Please contact our admissions team for further details:
- 01623 413639
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Applicants aged over 19
If you're interested in social care, we would recommend studying the Access to HE Diploma (Social Sciences) - Level 3.
- Assessment
Your assessment will consist of an internally assessed portfolio of evidence, which can include assignments, projects, case studies, flowcharts, roleplays, professional discussions, and written reports.
Yiu must be successful in all components to gain the qualification, and you will be graded as not yet achieved/pass/merit/distinction or distinction.
- Progression
- Skilled employment within the sector
- Higher level apprenticeships
- Higher Education (University*) including degrees in social care, healthcare, social work, and counselling.
*To find out how many UCAS points this course carries, and to receive advice on your Higher Education options, please contact the college’s enquiries team on 0808 100 3626 and ask to be transferred to the Head of Department for this subject area. They can provide the most up-to-date information.
As a partner college of Nottingham Trent University (NTU), you may also be eligible for a range of benefits if you choose to progress to NTU after completing your course. For more information, please visit Progress NTU.
As this is a new course, we recommend you check if your preferred university will accept this course.
- Careers
- Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Social Care (Diploma)
- NCFE CACHE
- Additional costs
At West Notts College, our students benefit from excellent facilities and equipment across all campuses. However, some courses require students to purchase specific tools, equipment, or specialist clothing to fully participate in practical learning.
Visit our kit lists page to see what clothing and equipment you’ll need, and start preparing for your studies in September.
- Studying Healthcare and Health Sciences at West Notts College
Discover what it is really like to study with us. Explore the full range of courses available, hear from our students, see the facilities you will train in, and discover the employer partners you could work with.
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Disclaimer
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information on the website is correct, some details may be subject to change. West Nottinghamshire College reserves the right to make amendments to the courses, dates, fees or other details, and to make cancellations or changes if numbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course we will refund your fees in full, but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if you withdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due.
