About the course
With an ageing population and increasing demand for compassionate, skilled carers, this course is designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in health and social care. You’ll gain the essential knowledge, practical experience, and confidence to provide specialist care for vulnerable people of all ages - whether in care homes, hospices, or other social care settings.
This Skills Bootcamp in Health and Social Care includes three key components:
- The Care Certificate
A nationally recognised qualification that ensures health and social care professionals meet key standards of safe, high-quality, and person-centred care. Over the course, you’ll cover 16 Care Certificate standards, including topics such as duty of care, communication, and working in a patient-centred way.
- Career Planning for Health and Social Care
Helping you understand the range of career pathways available and how to progress within the sector.
- Emergency First Aid at Work
Providing the confidence and practical skills to respond to health-related emergencies effectively.
Learners will have access to our state-of-the-art real working environments, including our fully equipped Hospital Ward, Physio Room and Margaret’s Flat - a simulated home designed to mirror the environment of an elderly person living independently.
You’ll also have the opportunity to enhance your communication, employability, and leadership skills through Bodyswaps’ AI and VR simulations, giving you the chance to practise real-life care scenarios in a safe, immersive environment.
As part of the course, you’ll complete at least one day of work experience within a care home. On completion, you’ll be guaranteed an interview with Runwood Homes, one of the UK’s leading private residential care providers.
Entry requirements
Desire to work in the Health and Social care Sector
Maths/English at Level 1 or above
You need to be 19 or over to do a Skills Bootcamp.
You must have the right to work in the UK
You must be a resident of Greater Essex (if you reside outside of Greater Essex but are employed within Greater Essex you may still be eligible for funding)
You can only complete one Skills Bootcamp each financial year (1st April – 31st March)
How long is the course?
2 days a week – Thursday and Friday for 10 weeks. Plus 5 additional days TBC
This course is a Skills Bootcamp
Skills Bootcamps are flexible courses designed to help adults gain in-demand skills, tailored to employer and sector needs. They’re a great opportunity to train in a new industry or progress in your current career.
How much does it cost?
This course is a Skills Bootcamp and is fully-funded (free) if you are aged 19 or over and:
· Have the right to work in the UK
· A resident of Greater Essex (if you reside outside of Greater Essex but are employed within Greater Essex you may still be eligible for funding)
· You have not completed another Skills Bootcamp during the same financial year (1st April 2025 – 31st March 2026)
If you do not meet the above eligibility criteria for a Skills Bootcamp you may be eligible for other funding, alternatively you could enrol on the course by paying the appropriate tuition fees. Contact Us or call our Admissions Team 01279 868100 to get the most up-to-date info on fees and the financial support that may be available to you.
Who is it suitable for?
This course is perfect for those looking to begin a career in adult social care or for those already in the sector who want to gain their Care Certificate and advance their career.
Awarding Body
N/A
Where will this course take me?
Examples:
Health Care assistant
Ward assistant
Residential care assistant
Day centre carer
Level 3 e-Learning Dementia Care: https://www.harlow-college.ac.uk/study-options/e-learning/item/dementia-care-level-3
Core modules
Career Planning for Health and Social Care – Level 3
Emergency First Aid at Work – Level 3
Care Certificate Standard – Industry recognised standard
How will I learn?
Location / campus – Harlow Campus
Face-to-face
Onsite work experience x 2 days
Daytime – Thursday and Friday’s each week
How will I be assessed?
Portfolio of work and Practical Assessment