NCFE Cache Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care (2025-27)

This two year course is designed to give students an overview of the health and social care sector and roles within this to enable term to progress to university to complete further study in their chosen field, or to go directly into employment in the sector.

During the course you will get to learn appropriate transferable and specific skills for industry including completing practical sessions on our health care hospital ward.

Practical activities will support you to develop the skills and qualities for industry whilst the theory sessions will support you to have the underpinning knowledge of topics such as psychology, sociology, anatomy and research skills. These are all delivering by our highly knowledgeable and skilled staff who have a diverse range of health and social care backgrounds.

Units which may be covered are:

• Sociological Perspectives in health and social care
• Public health
• Promoting health education
• Nutrition in health and social care
• Infection prevention and control
• Vocational experience in health and social care
• Additional needs in health and much more...

Once you have successfully completed the course you will be able to gain employment in the health and social care sector roles include; care worker or health care assistant.

Once you have successfully completed the programme you may progress to a Degree in Adult Nursing, Midwifery, Child Nursing, Dental nursing, social work or other occupational roles associated to the field of health and social care.

To enrol on the course you will require five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above including maths, English and science. Alternatively, you may have gained a C grade or above on the Cache level 3 certificate in health and social care. You also require a successful reference and a clear DBS (Disclosure Barring Service).

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

All units will be assessed through a range of activities including written tasks, role play, verbal presentations and displays. Learners will also produce a portfolio which evidences their learning and skills in the work place. Each learner will complete assignments made up of tasks for each unit.

September 2025

2 Year - Full Time. This full time study programme courses may also be available to study on a part-time basis if you are aged 18 or over on 31st August. Please check with Student Services for more details.