First Steps in Care Services

The qualification provides a pathway into the care sector giving you the opportunity to develop your skills and knowledge in wider employment and career progression opportunities. You will develop self- confidence and interpersonal skills, advance your communication skills and promote personal effectiveness. You will study GCSE maths and English alongside your vocational qualification as well as being expected to undertake care related work experience as part of the study programme.

Successful completion of this course will equip learners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to succeed in employment or further study within the care sector.Many of our learners progress on to our level 1 Vocational courses within the college. There is also an opportunity for learners to progress to our Supported Internship courses within Stepping Hill Hospital, Trafford Hospital and Trafford Council.

On successful completion of the qualification learners may wish to pursue a career within the sector can progress to Level 1 qualifications such as Progression Certificate in Care Services, followed by Level 2 in Health and Social Care or Early Years Practitioner.

Learners are assessed in a variety of ways. We establish a learner’s starting point within their induction in our courses and create a tailored learning package in line with the Initial Assessment results. Assessment throughout the course is regular and appropriate; observations, completed written coursework, practical activities and presentations are utilised to assess the progression of our learners.

This further education course is free for all 16-18 year olds who are resident in the UK and the European Economic Area for the last 3 years. (You must be under 19 on 31st August in the calendar year that you start your course).