Level 1 Health, Social & Childcare

Whether you have an interest in working with children, elderly people, or adults and children with special needs, this one-year course will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in your chosen career path. You will focus on a range of modules relating to both childcare and health & social care, helping you to develop a variety of skills including communication, interpersonal and industry skills caught by employers.

If you dream of a career working with people and having the opportunity to help others on a daily basis, then this course is your first step. Whichever specialism you choose to explore, this course will give you the communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills that employers seek. Whether you aspire to be a nurse, social worker, midwife, or care assistant, you are sure to find a huge range of career possibilities to progress on to. The demand for health and social care workers is continuously rising, meaning you will have endless career opportunities upon completing your course. For instance, the NHS predicts that the adult social care sector will need another half a million staff by 2030.

You will undertake fascinating projects, planning activities around children’s learning and development through play, whilst also learning about the practical care of babies, children, and adults such as feeding, bathing and nappy changing. In addition, you will gain an understanding of caring for children, adults, and elderly people with special needs, acquiring specialist knowledge about working with different people of all ages and equipping you for a range of career possibilities.

After successfully completing this course, you will have the skills and knowledge needed to progress on to a level 2 course in childcare or health & social care. After completing your level 2 course, you could then secure an apprenticeship to earn while you learn or move on to a level 3 course which could lead to university or employment. 

Our dedicated health & social care and childcare departments have a wide range of links with private day nurseries, primary schools, and hospitals, along with nursing and care providers in the local area and further afield. This will help to broaden your career prospects and help you to secure work placements in your preferred career. Guest speakers will also come into college to talk to you about the different roles within the industry, enhancing your career awareness.

As part of this practical course, you will complete 30 hours of work placement experience in a childcare or health and social care setting, giving you the opportunity to impress future employers, secure a part-time job, or get inspiration for your next career step.

You will be allocated a progress coach who will provide you with support to help you succeed on your study programme and progress on to your chosen career or progression path. We have a team of staff dedicated to providing learning support if required, as well as a Welfare Team that is on hand to offer guidance, support and help when needed. 

Additionally, eligible students can access a wide range of finance and funding support to help them during their time at college.

Click here for learning support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/learning-support

Click here for finance support: https://wvr.ac.uk/college-life/financial-support

Our childcare and health & social care courses at Warrington & Vale Royal College are delivered by extremely skilled tutors from a variety of relevant industry backgrounds within the subjects they teach. This course has a key focus on enrichment, careers, and work placement, enabling you to take your first step on your journey towards your chosen career. Many students have established amazing connections and been inspired for the future after their work placement experiences.

As part of this course, you will have the opportunity to explore a variety of exhibitions at museums such as the Slavery Museum and the Thackray Medical Museum, to enhance your knowledge of this sector. Students have enjoyed exciting trips to the Christmas markets in Manchester to develop knowledge of the different foods and cultures, in order to enhance their communication and understanding. You may also get the opportunity to visit other educational providers to experience a range of learning activities and develop your own teaching knowledge and skills.

You will need a minimum of four GCSEs at grade 2 or above. If you have not already achieved a grade 4 in your GCSE English and maths, you will be required to work towards either a Functional Skills qualification or a GCSE in both English and maths as part of your study programme.

You may be required to carry out a DBS check to support your work placement, which will cost approximately £38. Other costs could include purchasing relevant textbooks and materials to the course, along with paying to go on educational trips and visits.