We are currently experiencing severe operational disruption, and a number of our systems are offline and unavailable. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Please go to our service continuity webpage where you can find a set of FAQs and an enquiry form to support you to submit urgent queries. NCFE Customer Support lines have reopened, and will be open between8.30am – 5.00pm from Monday to Thursday and 8.30am – 4.30pm on Friday, on 0191 239 8000/0191 240 8862 and via email [email protected]
Christmas office closure
Our office will be closing for the Christmas period from Wednesday, 24 December 12:00pm, the office will be reopening on Friday, 2 January 08:30am. We will respond to any emails or calls we receive from you during this period as soon as possible upon our return.
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.
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.
Assessment pack - summer 2025
Chief examiner report HSC1 July 2025 (PDF | 156 KB)
Our free Enhance resources help you develop a bespoke, high-quality employability, enrichment, and pastoral (EEP) programme that complements learning and boosts transferable skills.
Our free Enhance resources help you develop a bespoke, high-quality employability, enrichment, and pastoral (EEP) programme that complements learning and boosts transferable skills.
Our free Enhance resources help you develop a bespoke, high-quality employability, enrichment, and pastoral (EEP) programme that complements learning and boosts transferable skills.
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