New to Care
This role supports people who need care and assistance with personal care, daily tasks and living independently. Support is provided in homes, residential care or supported independent living.
Designed for those new to social care, it builds foundational skills for safe practice while offering opportunities to learn, grow, and progress. People in this role are expected to show values like kindness, compassion, honesty, respect, and a commitment to learning.
We’ve mapped our qualifications to the New to Care role in the Care Workforce Pathway, to help you see what skills and training are linked to the role.
You can see what’s expected at this level, what learning can help learners grow, and how they can take the next step in adult social care.
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NCFE qualifications for the New to Care pathway
The following qualifications are the knowledge and competencies required to succeed in New to Care roles.
Moving and positioning
Unit: Move and position individuals in accordance with their care plan
Technology Enabled Care
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Technology Enabled Care
Level 2 Technical Specialist in Technology Enabled Care (Certificate)
Medication management
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding the Safe Handling of Medication in Health and Social Care
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour That Challenges
Unit: NCFE CACHE Understand the principles of positive behaviour support K/616/6526 or T/651/2551*
*Unit available upon request.
Level 2 Award in Awareness of Dementia
Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Dementia Care
Unit: Understanding Dementia
Unit: Dementia awareness
Unit: NCFE CACHE Support individuals with dementia (D/616/6538)*
*Unit available upon request.
Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems
Level 2 Certificate in Mental Health Awareness
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Working with People with Mental Health Needs
Unit: Understanding mental health
Unit: NCFE CACHE Support mental well-being and mental health K/616/6543*
*Unit available upon request.
English
Level 1 Functional Skills Qualification in English
Level 2 Functional Skills Qualification in English
Maths
Level 1 Functional Skills Qualifications in Mathematics
Level 2 Functional Skills Qualification in Mathematics
Digital/ICT
Level 1 Digital Functional Skills
Level 1 Certificate in IT User Skills (ITQ)
Level 1 Certificate in Digital Skills
Level 1 Essential Digital Skills
Skills for Care resources
Every journey will be unique. Use the Skills for Care assessment tools to evaluate skills, plan development and advance careers in adult social care:
Role profile
Entry level role for individuals with no prior experience.
Career path
Begin with basic training like the Care Certificate and progress to Support Worker or Personal Assistant roles.
Next steps:
Explore other roles across the Adult Care pathway.
Support Worker Personal Assistant
