NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care
Ref:
601/8434/6
Sector:
Health, Public Services and Care, Health and Social Care
Features:
Learning Resources Available, Performance Points, UCAS, Nested Qualification
Registration & certification fee:
£192.00
Level:
Level 3
Minimum entry age:
16
GLH:
619
TQT:
734
The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that this qualification (subject to any future reviews by the DfE) has been approved for inclusion within the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Key Stage 5 performance tables.
The DfE have confirmed that the additional retake opportunity in place for the 2018/19 academic year for all Tech Levels and Applied General qualifications will continue to be offered while the moratorium for 16-18 performance tables is in place. This includes Tech Levels and Applied General qualifications which will be counted in 2022 and 2023 performance tables.
This qualification has been allocated UCAS points. Please refer to the UCAS website for further details of the points allocation and the most up-to-date information.
About this qualification:
The Technical Level 3 Certificate in Health and Social Care has been designed to enable learners to access Higher Education or assist with progression into the workplace.
This qualification has been designed and written by a team of subject matter experts, and we have involved employers and Higher Education Institutions in the review of the content.
The Technical Level 3 Certificate has been designed to meet the Department for Education’s criteria for the 16–19 Performance Tables, and has been approved as a ‘Tech Level’ qualification.
What is a nested qualification?
This qualification is nested. Qualifications within a nested suite allow learners to be topped up to a qualification that is the same level and subject within the Award, Certificate, Extended Diploma structure. This can be done by self-service through the Portal. Qualification nests and top-up pricing can be found in our fees list.
What does it cover?
This qualification covers a wide range of key subject areas in health and social care.
Who is it suitable for?
This qualification is suitable for learners aged 16 or above who wish to progress on to Higher Education.
Experience in a real work environment:
Learners will be required to attend placement in a real work environment to support their learning. The minimum required number of placement hours are 75 hours.
Entry requirements of Higher Education Institutions may specify the need for more work experience.
What are some examples of suitable work placement settings for learners?
Placement is a crucial element of the learner's journey. Listed below are some examples of appropriate settings which could support learners:
• Residential Care Home
• Nursing Home
• Day Centre
• Children's Centre
• Health Centre
• Supported/Sheltered
• Accommodation
• Domiciliary/Community care
• Respite Care
• Residential Schools
• Assessment Centre
• Special Schools
• Hospital
• Specialised Voluntary Groups
What are the entry requirements?
Learners must be at least 16 years old. We do not set any other entry requirements but colleges or training providers may have their own guidelines.
How long it takes to complete?
Learners will usually be able to achieve the Certificate in one year.
What qualifications can you progress to?
Upon achievement of this qualification learners will be able to progress onto the Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care. The Certificate supports learners’ access to Higher Education and progression into a wide range of job roles within the health and social care sector. The qualification also supports progression to further learning in related subject areas at Level 4 and above.
The Care Certificate
This qualification promotes high quality care and support and have been mapped to the standards within the Care Certificate. For more information about the Care Certificate, including free teaching and learning resources, please see the Skills for Health website.
Funding for our qualifications
Find out more about this and other qualifications on the Funding page.
Assessment opportunities
Please note: the assessment opportunities for all the externally set and marked assessments for the Certificate are limited to one attempt and one further reattempt opportunity (undertaking an alternative assessment).
Which type of job roles can you apply for on completion?
This qualification does not provide a licence to practise, but may support progression into a wide range of job roles in the health and social care sector, including:
• Care Support Workers in adult residential settings
• Healthcare Assistants in community, primary care and acute health environments
• Care Support Workers in domiciliary services, supported living or day services
• Community-based Support Workers
More detail on the range of job roles and potential progression paths will be provided in the Learner Handbook.
External assessment timetable
Please see the external assessment timetable for a breakdown of the assessment dates for this qualification.
Useful links
Regulations for the conduct of external assessment
Qualification specific instructions for delivery (QSID)
Support materials
Qualification specification (PDF | 824 KB)
Qualification specification (Word) (DOCX | 547 KB)
Purpose statement (PDF | 108 KB)
Qualification factsheet (PDF | 126 KB)
CACHE Technical qualification - performance tables (PDF | 122 KB)
DfE performance table quick guide (PDF | 428 KB)
Mapping to the care certificate (PDF | 64 KB)
Employer support letters (PDF | 1178 KB)
Tutor guidance (PDF | 1740 KB)
Tutor guidance (Word) (DOC | 1999 KB)
Placement guidance mentor and tutor (PDF | 178 KB)
Placement guidance mentor and tutor (Word) (DOC | 448 KB)
Learner handbook (PDF | 1336 KB)
Learner handbook (Word) (DOC | 1562 KB)
Placement handbook learners (PDF | 199 KB)
Placement handbook learners (Word) (DOC | 441 KB)
Support Handbook (PDF | 327 KB)
Assessment materials
NCFE have password protected the latest external assessment past-paper, mark scheme and chief examiner report. You are now able to use these as current and valid mock assessments. To access the documents, you will need a Portal login. If you do not have a Portal login please contact your Portal administrator.
Chief Examiner Report - HSC1 April - May 2024 (PDF | 112 KB)
External assessment past paper - HSC1 – April-May 2024 (PDF | 208 KB)
Chief examiner report - HSC1 - January 2024 (PDF | 118 KB)
External assessment past paper - HSC1 – January 2024 (PDF | 151 KB)
Chief examiner report - HSC1 - April 2023 (PDF | 112 KB)
External assessment past paper - HSC1 – April 2023 (PDF | 789 KB)
External assessment past paper - HSC1 – January 2023 (PDF | 792 KB)
Chief examiner report - HSC1 - January 2023 (PDF | 100 KB)
External assessment past paper - HSC1 - May 2022 (PDF | 257 KB)
Chief examiner report - HSC1 - May 2022 (PDF | 88 KB)
External assessment past paper - HSC1 - January 2022 (PDF | 165 KB)
Chief examiner report - HSC1 - January 2022 (PDF | 88 KB)
This document contains feedback from the chief examiner for the January 2022 external assessment.
External assessment past paper - HSC1 - January 2021 (PDF | 155 KB)
Chief examiner report - HSC1 - January 2021 (PDF | 108 KB)
External assessment past paper - HSC1 - January 2020 (PDF | 470 KB)
Chief examiner report - HSC1 - January 2020 (PDF | 323 KB)
Assessment tasks (PDF | 341 KB)
External assessment cover sheet (PDF | 152 KB)
HSC1 - instructions for tutors (PDF | 228 KB)
HSC1 example titles (PDF | 143 KB)
Supplementary Answer Booklet (PDF | 140 KB)
Teaching materials
Unit breakdown
Equality, Diversity and Rights in Health and Social Care (K/507/1406)
Human Growth and Development (M/507/1407)
Safeguarding in Health and Social Care (T/507/1408)
Communication in Health and Social Care (J/507/1431)
Infection Prevention and Control in Health and Social Care (L/507/1432)
Psychological Perspectives in Health and Social Care (R/507/1433)
Sociological Perspectives in Health and Social Care (Y/507/1434)
Working in Health and Social Care (D/507/1435)
Reflective Practice (H/507/1436)
Certificate Synoptic Assessment (HSC1)
Certificate 75 Placement Hours (HSC/CPH)