Qualification Structure

The ProQual Level 2 Award in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills is an Ofqual-regulated qualification accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 80 hours and 50 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).

Assessment is assignment-based only and conducted on a Pass/Fail basis. Assignments are internally assessed and verified by centre staff, with external quality assurance provided by ProQual Verifiers to ensure assessment quality and compliance with qualification requirements.

To achieve the qualification, candidates must achieve 6 credits from any combination of units.

Core Study Units

The qualification requires candidates to achieve 6 credits from any combination of units.

• Implement person centred approaches in health and social care — 5 Credits
• Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care — 3 Credits
• Assist in the administration of medication — 4 Credits
• Carry out personal hygiene for individuals unable to care for themselves — 3 Credits
• Support individuals with speech and language disorders to develop their communication skills — 4 Credits
• Perform the non-scrubbed circulating role for perioperative procedures — 3 Credits
• Minimise the risk of infection when transporting and storing healthcare waste — 3 Credits
• Assist in the issuing of prescribed items — 3 Credits
• Assist in the manufacture and assembly of medicinal products — 7 Credits
• Assist in the preparation of documentation, materials and other items for manufacture and assembly of medicinal products — 10 Credits
• Support individuals to carry out their own health care procedures — 2 Credits
• Provide support for therapy sessions — 2 Credits
• Contribute to the discharge of individuals to carers — 2 Credits
• Paediatric Emergency First Aid — 1 Credit
• Introduction to communication in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings — 3 Credits
• Support individuals to meet personal care needs — 2 Credits
• Contribute to the safe use of medical devices in the perioperative environment — 4 Credits
• Causes and Spread of Infection — 2 Credits
• Prepare documentation, materials, components and other items for the preparation of aseptic products — 6 Credits
• Introduction to duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings — 1 Credit
• Provide support for mobility — 2 Credits
• Assist others to plan presentations — 2 Credits
• Order Routine Pharmaceutical Stock — 3 Credits
• Dementia Awareness — 2 Credits
• Move and position individuals in accordance with their plan of care — 4 Credits
• Support individuals to manage continence — 3 Credits
• Handle information in health and social care settings — 1 Credit
• The role of the health and social care worker — 2 Credits
• Obtain and test specimens from individuals — 2 Credits
• Prepare individuals for healthcare activities — 3 Credits
• Assist in planning and evaluating learning activities — 3 Credits
• Assist the practitioner to carry out health care activities — 2 Credits
• Minimise the risk of infection during the removal of used linen — 2 Credits
• Inform an individual of discharge arrangements — 2 Credits
• Understand the context of supporting individuals with learning disabilities — 4 Credits
• Select and wear appropriate personal protective equipment for work in health care settings — 2 Credits
• Monitor and maintain the environment and resources during and after clinical / therapeutic activities — 3 Credits
• Prepare and dress for scrubbed clinical roles — 4 Credits
• Care for individuals with naso-gastric tubes — 3 Credits
• The principles of Infection Prevention and Control — 3 Credits
• Assist with the provision of a pharmacy service to meet individuals’ needs — 3 Credits
• Contribute to the effectiveness of teams — 3 Credits
• Introduction to personal development in health, social care or children's and young people’s settings — 3 Credits
• Support individuals who are distressed — 3 Credits
• Support individuals undergoing healthcare activities — 3 Credits
• Prepare equipment for intraoperative cell salvage blood processing — 4 Credits
• Assist in receiving, handling and dispatching clinical specimens — 2 Credits
• Assist in the sale of medicines and products — 8 Credits
• Receive Pharmaceutical Stock — 3 Credits
• Prepare aseptic products — 10 Credits
• Prepare and apply dressings and drains to individuals in the perioperative environment — 2 Credits
• Planning and Monitoring Work — 2 Credits
• Cleaning, Decontamination and Waste Management — 2 Credits
• Ensure your own Actions Reduce risks to Health and Safety — 2 Credits
• Introduction to equality and inclusion in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings — 2 Credits
• Provide agreed support for foot care — 3 Credits
• Contribute to health and safety in health and social care — 4 Credits
• Support independence in the tasks of daily living — 5 Credits
• Prepare equipment for intraoperative cell salvage blood collection — 2 Credits
• Maintaining quality standards in the health sector — 1 Credit
• Emergency First Aid Skills — 1 Credit
• Assemble prescribed items — 3 Credits
• Support participation in learning and development activities — 3 Credits
• Provide support for sleep — 2 Credits
• Remove wound closure materials — 3 Credits
• Support individuals to eat and drink — 2 Credits
• Undertake agreed pressure area care — 4 Credits
• Meet food safety requirements when providing food and drink for individuals — 2 Credits
• Understand loss and grief in end of life care — 3 Credits
• Understand how to work in end of life care — 3 Credits

Who Is This Qualification For?

The ProQual Level 2 Award in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills is suitable for individuals seeking a recognised foundation in healthcare and social care support. It is particularly relevant for:

• Healthcare assistants and care support workers
• Social care workers and support staff
• Individuals entering healthcare or social care for the first time
• Care workers seeking a regulated UK qualification
• Staff working in residential or domiciliary care settings
• Individuals supporting people with personal care and daily living needs
• Healthcare support staff developing workplace skills
• Individuals seeking progression to higher-level healthcare or social care qualifications
• Staff requiring structured knowledge of safeguarding, communication and duty of care
• Individuals looking to strengthen their professional care practice
• Career changers entering the health and social care sector
• International candidates seeking a UK-regulated vocational qualification
• Employers developing the competence of healthcare and social care support staff

Career Opportunities

The ProQual Level 2 Award in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills provides learner with foundational knowledge and practical skills relevant to a range of roles within the healthcare, social care, support, and care services sectors. As demand for competent care professionals continues to grow across residential, domiciliary, community, and healthcare environments, this qualification can support career development and progression into further education and relevant support roles.

Future Progression

Upon successful completion of the ProQual Level 2 Award in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills, learner can progress to higher-level qualifications and further professional development within the healthcare, social care, and support services sectors. The qualification provides a foundation for developing knowledge in person-centred care, safeguarding, communication, health and safety, and essential support practices.

Learner may choose to undertake higher-level healthcare and social care qualifications, pursue continuing professional development (CPD), or undertake specialist training in areas such as dementia care, medication support, safeguarding, infection prevention and control, mental health, and person-centred care.

The qualification can also support progression into roles including Healthcare Support Worker, Care Assistant, Social Care Worker, Support Worker, Residential Care Worker, Domiciliary Care Worker, and Community Support Worker. The knowledge and skills gained can be valuable across residential care, domiciliary care, community services, healthcare settings, and other environments where effective care and support are essential.