OIPC Careers - Diploma in Adult Social Care (Level 2)

Diploma in Adult Social Care (Level 2)

This is an entry-level qualification, designed for those with limited experience and is a pathway to the Level 3 programme, which enables learners to apply for more senior roles. The Level 2 programme is delivered remotely, with OIPC’s accredited delivery of live teaching and self-study, alongside a work placement which must be secured by the learner on application to the course.

The award is delivered by OIPC Careers, accredited by City and Guilds – all under the oversight of the Independent School’s Inspectorate.

The Level 2 programme can allow learners to enter into Care worker, Home Carers and NHS roles, including Care Assistant, Care Worker, Resident Warden, Carer, Home care assistant, Home carer, and Support Workers.

The course is delivered online, powered by the Oxford International Digital Institute.

All learners complete an online e-portfolio and their progress is closely monitored via their Virtual Learning Environment, allowing OIPC to provide further support where needed.

Learners are assigned a tutor who will meet with them on a regular basis to provide support and guidance.

All learners will be given an initial assessment at the start of their programme to identify:

• Any specific training needs you may have
• Support and guidance you might need while working towards your qualifications
• Any units you have already completed, or credit you have accumulated relevant to the qualifications
• Your preferences for optional units
• Any specific language needs you may have

Following this, each learner must complete a portfolio of evidence covering the assessment criteria for each unit. The primary mode of assessment will be through direct observation of your performance by a qualified, occupationally competent assessor. Other assessment methods may include:

• Professional Discussion
• Reflective Accounts
• Projects / Assignments
• Case Studies

Total learning time is a min of 500 hours including research, written assignments, self-study and assessments. Guided learning time is approximately 311 hours. This includes self-paced tutorials and tasks and regular meetings with the tutor. Learners will have up to 1 year to complete the course, which should be ample time to complete all the modules necessary.

We are now opening applications for 29th April 2024 intake. We have rolling intakes from April and you can join anytime.

To apply for our Diploma in Adult Care Level 2, submit the enquiry form by clicking on this link. Someone from our admissions team will be in touch to discuss your application within 48 hours.

Partial scholarships are available. Please fill out the enquiry form by clicking on this link. Someone from our admissions team will be in touch within 48 hours to discuss your application and scholarship options.

The course covers 9 mandatory modules and learners can choose from a range of elective modules covering areas such as Healthcare tasks, Health and Safety, Specialisms such as Dementia or Support for individuals with learning disabilities and Aspects of support.

To achieve the Level 2 diploma, learners need to complete a minimum of 46 credits. 24 credits will come from the mandatory modules and the remaining 22 should be completed from the elective modules. 

Module 1: Safeguarding and protection in care settings

Understand the principles of safeguarding adults and know how to recognise abuse. This module covers ways to reduce the likelihood of abuse and to report it. You will also learn about the principles of online safety.

Module 2: Responsibilities of a care worker

Understand working relationships in care settings and to work in ways that are agreed with the employer.

Module 3: Communication in care settings

Meet the communication and language needs, wishes and preferences of individuals. Learn to apply principles and practices relating to confidentiality at work.

Module 4: Duty of care

Understand support available for addressing dilemmas that may arise about duty of care and know how to respond to complaints.

Module 5: Handle information in care settings

Understand the need for secure handling of information in care settings. You will be able to handle information in accordance with agreed ways of working.

Module 6: Personal development in care settings

Understand what is required for competence in own work role. You will be able to develop your own knowledge, skills and understanding.

Module 7: Equality and inclusion in care settings

Know how to access information, advice and support about diversity, equality and inclusion.

Module 8: Health, safety and wellbeing in care settings

Understand own responsibilities, and the responsibilities of others, relating to health and safety in the work setting. You will learn the procedures for responding to accidents and sudden illness and know how to handle hazardous substances and materials. You will be able to implement security measures in the work setting.

Module 9: Implement person-centred approaches in care settings

You will be able to work in a person-centred way. Learn to support the individual’s well-being and their right to make choices

• Support individuals to eat and drink
• Undertake agreed pressure area care
• Provide Support for Sleep
• Support individuals to meet personal care needs
• Move and position individuals in accordance with their care plan
• Provide support to manage pain and discomfort
• Contribute to the effectiveness of teams
• Working as part of a team
• Understand causes and spread of infection
• Contribute to the support of infection prevention and control in adult care
• Knowledge, skills and behaviours expected of adult care workers
• Cleaning, Decontamination and Waste Management
• Dementia Awareness
• Understanding advocacy
• Understand the context of supporting individuals with learning disabilities
• The principles of Infection Prevention and Control
• Understand Mental health Problems

Health and Care Worker Visa

This visa is issued to help international workers to apply for jobs within the Health and Care sector. With a shortfall of UK employees, this falls under the Health and Care Worker Visa scheme.

The visa:

• is linked to a specific employer and role
• requires sponsorship from an employer who holds a UKVI sponsor license
• is part of the Skilled Worker Visa category (and has similar requirements)
• can be extended
• can lead to settlement in the UK after 5 years
• has a lower visa application fee and does not require you to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge

Certificate of Sponsorship

You’ll need a Certificate of Sponsorship issued by an employer who holds a UKVI sponsor license. A typical employer will be the NHS, an organisation providing medical services to the NHS, or an organisation providing adult social care.

Your Certificate of Sponsorship must have been issued no more than 3 months before the date of your Health and Care Worker visa application.

Salary range

For NHS roles there are various pay scales which vary according to whether they’re in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland. The salary would need to match these.

There’s a separate system for roles which are not NHS based. Unless the going rate for your job is higher than this, the minimum salary is:

£20,480 for new entrants and £25,600 for an experienced worker

There are thousands of job opportunities in the UK care sector. With this qualification, care employers may offer sponsorship for roles such as:

• Care Assistant
• Care Worker
• Resident Warden
• Carer, Home care assistant
• Home carer
• Support Workers

Learners can also use this qualification to progress onto a Level 3 course.

Academic requirements

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

English language requirements

You should be able to prove your English language proficiency with any of the following

1. An IELTS certificate of 4.5 or higher or
2. Evidence of having completed a degree in which the medium of instruction was English. A medium of instruction letter issued by the awarding institution and the final certificate of the degree will be required as proof.

If you are unable to provide an IELTS or equivalent but feel that you have the necessary English language proficiency to complete the course, you have the option to take an Oxford ELLT, the cost of which will be subtracted from your course fees when you book. Speak to us to find out how you can apply.

It’s likely that you’ve exceeded this requirement if you hold a Student visa.

You’ll satisfy the English language requirement if you:

• are a national of a majority English-speaking country
• have passed a Secure English Language Test from an approved provider
• have been awarded a degree-level academic qualification taught in English
• obtained a GCSE/A Level, Scottish National Qualification level 4 or 5, Scottish Highers or Advanced Higher in English while at school in the UK; or
• have already shown you met the requirement of level B1 in a previous successful application for entry clearance or permission to stay

Age requirement

Learners must be 16 or over to enrol.

Placement requirements

• You already work in a care home setting or have secured a work placement before starting this course. Your assessment will take place at your current work placement and you should only apply once your placement is confirmed.
• You have identified a Mentor (either an Assessor or Expert Witness) who can carry out observations and provide written testimony (in English).
• The Assessor or Expert Witness must provide a reference from their workplace and be available to meet online with the UK-based Assessor.

Mentorship

You will be paired with a tutor who will work with you throughout the course, providing the support you need. You will have identified a mentor in your current placement/workplace to work with you and your assigned tutor on practical assignments and assessments.

Remote assessments

Assessments will take place remotely with your assigned tutor.  They will work closely with your chosen mentor on workplace assessments and providing feedback. Teaching for this Level 2 Adult Social Care Diploma is blended with online and workplace assessments, with written coursework and workplace competency-based tasks.

We will provide a live timetable with tutor availability so you can book the slots that suit you best.