01206 712 000
Contact Us
Autumn 2023 Open Events

Health and Social Care Level 1

This course is aimed at learners who wish to pursue a career in a health and social care setting by gaining introductory skills and knowledge.

The Health and Social Care Introductory Certificate Level 1 blends a number of qualifications together and is designed to provide you with the required skills set for progression on to the Level 2 programme or for working in the health or social care sector. The combined elements of this programme give you an idea of what working within the health or social care sector is really like whilst gaining a range of relevant qualifications for your chosen career.

Course Info
Do I have to pay a fee?
How to make an Application
Other courses in this area
What Will I Learn?

Some units of the programme will help to improve your general skills and others will help you to develop skills in relation to care services. You will also engage in activities to develop your English, maths and employability skills.

Course Content

Health and Social Care Introductory Certificate Level 1 units may include:

  • Being Organised
  • Developing a Personal Progression Plan
  • Working with Others
  • Researching a Topic
  • Finding Out About Health and Social Care Services
  • Communication Skills for Health and Social Care
  • Making Healthy Snacks When Caring for People
  • Advising Others About Healthy Lifestyles
  • Providing a Creative Activity When Caring for People
  • Supporting Others to Use Adapted Equipment Safely
  • Measuring Older Adults’ Fitness Levels for Everyday Tasks
  • Visiting a Health or Social Care Setting
Entry Requirements

3 GCSEs (9-1) including English and Maths and an interview. Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS*) check

* Please note there is a charge of £45 for an online DBS check.

What Can I Do Next?

On successful completion of this programme learners can progress to a Level 2 qualification such as the Health and Social Care BTEC First Extended Certificate Level 2, an Apprenticeship in Health and Social Care or Introduction to Early Years Education and Care CACHE Certificate Level 2.

Successful completion of this programme could lead to employment or an apprenticeships in the health or social care sector.

All progression routes are subject to completion of the level 2 progression task, achievement of appropriate English and Maths qualifications and a successful interview.

This is a 16-18 years old study programme only.

All students aged 16-18 on the first day of their course will have their course fully-funded by the government.

Costs of studying

If you are/will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on the 31st August in the calendar year when you begin a programme of study, you DO NOT pay tuition fees, College registration fees or examination/board registration fees. However, there are some courses which have additional costs which could include:

  • equipment costs – such as uniforms, kits, boots, etc.
  • trips and enrichment activities
  • DBS checks (formerly CRB checks)

For students with an identified low household income, there may be financial support available. Bursary awards can help with your course related costs such as travel, books and equipment and much more.

Am I eligible for a bursary?

If you are aged over sixteen and thinking of enrolling on a full or part-time course, you can apply for funding through the College Bursary Fund. Funds will be targeted at students where there is an identified low household income.

The bursary fund cannot assist with any general living costs nor can it be used as an attendance incentive.

Applications to the fund are not normally considered if the household income exceeds £25,000 but may be considered in some instances if the household is experiencing severe financial hardship.

You are advised to read the notes and policies at the beginning of the form and ensure that you provide all the evidence that is required when submitting your application.

When can I apply?

16-18 Bursary Fund applications for courses starting in the 2023/24 academic year opened on the July 1st 2023.

For courses starting in September 2023, applications should be made by 1st November 2023. If you find yourself in financial hardship after this date it is important that you still contact Student Services. Applications received after 1st November will be considered on a pro-rata basis subject to need and the availability of funds.

Full details of the bursary funds can be found here:

16-18 Bursary Information

How to make an Application – Watch our video guide!

****Applications for courses starting in September 2023 are now closed****

The application window for full-time courses and joint apprenticeship applications starting in September 2024 opens on Monday 2nd October at 12pm.

Before submitting your online application, make sure you have got an email address which you will check frequently and which is professional and appropriate for this purpose, and use this when you create your account. Submit the application as early as possible and remember to make a note of your USERNAME and PASSWORD details! You will need these later.

We have prepared a step-by-step video guide below – please view this video which will guide you through the application process.

Application Do's and Don'ts

Application Tips

If you have chosen the study programme you would like to apply for then you are almost there. We recommend that you read our handy application tips, watch our video and then make your application.

You can only apply for one full-time programme and one apprenticeship. You can do this together within the same application form, in what is known as a joint application.

Remember, you cannot study more than one core subject.  For example, you would not be able to study two full-time programmes in different subjects simultaneously. You would take Plumbing or Music, not Plumbing and Music.

Your subject will be your primary qualification and forms the bulk of your programme of study.

Application Dos

  • Apply as early as possible. We start accepting applications from 2nd October 2023 and have set an initial deadline of 31st January 2024 for a priority application on your chosen programme (subject to you satisfying the entry requirements), although we still accept applications after this date but may not be able to guarantee you a place on your chosen programme.
  • Think carefully about your course choice before you apply. Talk to your head of year or careers adviser at school to make sure you have explored all your options and have found a course that suits you best. You may wish to attend one of our open days to find out more before applying.
  • Make sure you attend any interviews or assessments we invite you to. These are a mandatory part of our process. They give you the opportunity to find out more about our courses, as well as allowing us to make sure you are on the most appropriate course for you. Some courses may invite you to attend a second interview or audition to demonstrate your skills and to ensure you are on the most appropriate level for you.
  • Please let us know if your contact details or address change. We will use a variety of letters, emails and texts to communicate with you throughout the process, and the information we provide is both confidential and vital to your application. If you move home or change your phone number and don’t inform us of any changes, you could miss some vital information.

Application Don’ts

  • Do not make multiple applications. If you are unsure, for example, of which construction/trade subject you would like to study, please only make an application for one of them. Likewise, if you later wish you had applied for a different course, please don’t worry – we can change your application. Whatever the reason for wanting to change, there is no need to make another application.
  • Do not use a school email address when you create your account. Remember, you will need to access this account later in the summer after you have left school.
  • Do not create another account if you have previously applied. If you have applied in previous years, please do not create a new account. If you are unsure, contact us to check which username and password to use.

Just call us on 01206 712777


Health and Social Care Level 1
LevelLevel 1
LocationColchester
DurationOne year
Study ModeFull-Time
Campus / Adult Skills CentreColchester Campus
Start DateSeptember 2024
Fee(s)16-18 year old Study Programme: Free
Awarding/Validation BodyNCFE / CACHE
Course Enquiry Line: 01206 712 777Course and Application EnquiriesOpen Event UpdatesReceive Updates For Parents & GuardiansFee Exemptions Apply

Other courses in this area

Level 2 Courses
Level 3 Courses

Disclaimer

All fees, prices and funding information shown on this page are for courses starting in the 2023-24 academic year unless stated otherwise, and are correct at the time of entering/printing information, however these may be subject to change due to factors outside of our control. The College cannot accept legal or financial liability as a result of any such changes.

Courses fees are generally not confirmed for September until June / July due to the above factors.

The course information describes programmes offered by Colchester Institute. The College takes all reasonable steps to provide courses as described, but cannot guarantee provision. The information is for guidance and does not form any part of a contract.

The College reserves the right to update and amend information as and when necessary. Colchester Institute will do its best to provide the courses shown, but may have to modify or withdraw a course depending on customer demand and other factors.

Better Careers Begin Here
Home