What is the purpose of this qualification?
The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with a core knowledge of the expectations of working within the health and care sector. The qualification provides learners with the opportunity to develop essential knowledge of working safely, effectively, and inclusively in health and care settings. Learners will also have the opportunity to develop their English, Maths, and employability skills through optional units, helping them build transferable skills and supporting their progression into employment.
The qualification is designed for learners preparing to enter the health and care workforce, as well as those already in support roles who wish to develop their knowledge and skills. It also supports learners who wish to progress to further study. Learners will gain broader insight into professional responsibilities, values based care, and the wider range of skills needed to contribute effectively to the well being, dignity, and rights of those they support across diverse health and care settings.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
The aim of this qualification is to introduce learners to the key principles and expectations of working within health and care settings, providing essential knowledge and skills to support safe, inclusive and person‑centred practice.
The objectives of the qualification are to provide learners with the opportunity to:
• develop wider knowledge and skills that support safe, effective and inclusive practice in health and care
• explore key themes that influence high‑quality care, including wellbeing, communication, inclusion and person‑centred support
• gain broader understanding of the needs and experiences of individuals who access care or support
• build insight into the responsibilities, values and behaviours expected in health and social care settings
• strengthen transferable skills, with optional opportunities to enhance English, Maths and employability skills
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award, Certificate and Diploma. Learners should take the Certificate if they need a broad introduction to the sector, as well as more generic workplace skills, before progressing to employment (with further training where possible), to a level 3 Apprenticeship or to a Level 3 qualification, as illustrated in the target learner profiles provided above. The Certificate may also be the most appropriate size of qualification for learners who have not yet achieved Level 2 English and Maths and need to include significant learning time for these subjects within their learning programme.
Which sector does this qualification support?
This qualification could lead to a number of roles in health and social care such as healthcare assistant, community care worker, older people support worker.
What are the progression options?
Learners can progress to a Level 3 certificate or diploma in Health and Social Care in any of the available pathways, including Tech level qualifications, Access to Higher Education Diploma in Health and Social Care or Early Years, or to an advanced Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care in any of the available pathways.
Progression & entry requirements
There are no specific prior skills/knowledge learners must have for this qualification; however, learners will benefit from having English and Maths skills at level 1.
On completion of this qualification, learners will have developed a wider range of knowledge, skills and behaviours for effective practice in health and care, supported by transferable employability skills that can be applied across different sectors.
Successful completion of the Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Certificate in Health and Care could allow learners to progress onto:
• Level 2 Diploma in Health and Care
• level 3 qualifications in Health and Social Care
• Access to Higher Education Diploma in Health and Social Care
• apprenticeships in Health and Social Care
• employment roles in Health and Social Care, for example, Healthcare Assistant, Community Care Worker
A full in-depth careers information, advice and guidance session should be completed for learners before, during and after completion of learning, finding them the most appropriate progression pathways unique to them and based on their ability and aspirations.
