Qualification Structure

The ProQual Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills is awarded by ProQual Awarding Body and regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). The qualification is accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and has been approved by the Welsh Government for use by centres in Wales and by CCEA for use by centres in Northern Ireland.

The qualification has a Total Qualification Time (TQT) of 350 hours, with 24–136 Guided Learning Hours (GLH). Assessment is assignment-based only and follows a Pass/Fail model. Assessments are internally assessed and verified by centre staff, with external quality assurance provided by ProQual verifiers.

To achieve the qualification, candidates must achieve a minimum of 37 credits.

Core Study Units

Candidates must achieve a minimum of 37 credits: a minimum of 25 credits must be from
the Level 2 units and the remaining 12 credits can be from any combination of units from the Level 2 or Level 3 or Level 4 units

Level 2 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 Healthcare 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 Healthcare 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 Nasogastric 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
• 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
• Service Improvement in the Health Sector — 2 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

Level 3 Units

Level 3 Units

• Work with Babies and Young Children to Promote Their Development and Learning — 6 credits
• Engage in Personal Development in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings — 3 credits
• Support Individuals with Multiple Conditions and/or Disabilities — 4 credits
• Support Individuals Who Are Bereaved — 4 credits
• Prepare for and Carry Out Extended Feeding Techniques — 4 credits
• Provide Support to Continue Recommended Therapies — 3 credits
• Insert and Secure Nasogastric Tubes — 4 credits
• Develop Positive Relationships with Children and Young People — 4 credits
• Provide Advice and Information to Enable Parents to Promote the Health and Well-being of Their Newborn Babies — 3 credits
• Facilitate and Monitor Housing and Accommodation Services to Support Individuals with Mental Health Needs — 5 credits
• Collaborate in the Assessment of Environmental and Social Support in the Community — 4 credits
• Care for the Physical and Nutritional Needs of Babies and Young Children — 6 credits
• Support Families Who Have a Child with a Disability — 3 credits
• Support Individuals to Manage Their Finances — 3 credits
• Obtain Venous Blood Samples — 3 credits
• Implement Therapeutic Group Activities — 4 credits
• Collate and Communicate Health Information to Individuals — 3 credits
• Provide Information and Advice to Individuals on Eating to Maintain Optimum Nutritional Status — 5 credits
• Assist in the Implementation of Programmes to Increase Mobility, Movement and Functional Independence — 4 credits
• Receive and Handle Clinical Specimens Within the Sterile Field — 4 credits
• Prepare Anaesthetic Environment and Provide Support for Pre and Post-Operative Anaesthesia and Recovery — 5 credits
• Make Recommendations for the Use of Physical Resources in a Health Setting — 5 credits
• Influencing Others at Work — 1 credit
• Maintaining Quality Standards in the Health Sector — 2 credits
• Understand Models of Disability — 3 credits
• Support Individuals to Access and Use Services and Facilities — 4 credits
• Promote and Implement Health and Safety in Health and Social Care — 6 credits
• Support Young People with a Disability to Make the Transition into Adulthood — 5 credits
• Understand Mental Well-Being and Mental Health Promotion — 3 credits
• Carry Out Vision Screening — 4 credits
• Assist Professionals to Support Individuals from Diverse Linguistic and Cultural Backgrounds to Access Speech and Language Therapy Services — 5 credits
• Implement Hydrotherapy Programmes for Individuals and Groups — 5 credits
• Deliver Exercise Sessions to Improve Individuals’ Health and Wellbeing — 5 credits
• Provide Support to the Surgical Team When Preparing Individuals for Operative and Invasive Procedures — 4 credits
• Facilitate Person Centred Assessment, Planning, Implementation and Review — 6 credits
• Work in Partnership with Families to Support Individuals — 4 credits
• Support Individuals to Develop and Run Support Groups — 3 credits
• Monitor Own Work Practice in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings — 3 credits
• Perform First Line Calibration on Clinical Equipment to Ensure It Is Fit for Use — 3 credits
• Monitor and Review Individuals’ Progress in Relation to Maintaining Optimum Nutritional Status — 3 credits
• Give Presentations to Groups — 4 credits
• Support Individuals in Undertaking Their Chosen Activities — 4 credits
• Control the Use of Physical Resources in a Health Setting — 3 credits
• Support Children and Young People Experiencing Transitions — 3 credits
• Promote Communication in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings — 3 credits
• Contribute to the Prevention of Aggressive and Abusive Behaviour of People — 4 credits
• Service Improvement in the Health Sector — 3 credits
• Understand the Process and Experience of Dementia — 3 credits
• Understand Physical Disability — 3 credits
• Support Individuals with a Learning Disability to Access Healthcare — 3 credits
• Undertake Urethral Catheterisation Processes — 4 credits
• Promote Good Practice in Handling Information in Health and Social Care Settings — 2 credits
• Understand Mental Health Problems — 3 credits
• Perform Routine Electrocardiograph (ECG) Procedures — 4 credits
• Undertake Treatments and Dressings of Lesions and Wounds — 4 credits
• Adapt and Fit Healthcare Equipment, Medical Devices, Assistive Technology, or Products to Meet Individuals’ Needs — 6 credits
• Administer Oral Nutritional Products to Individuals — 5 credits
• Promote Effective Communication with Individuals with Sensory Loss — 4 credits
• Work with Other Professionals and Agencies to Support Individuals with Physical Disability — 3 credits
• Support Individuals to Access Housing and Accommodation Services — 4 credits
• Identify Information Requirements in a Health Context — 4 credits
• Prepare and Reproduce Permanent Radiographic Images — 4 credits
• Develop and Prepare Speech and Language Therapy Resources for Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) Use — 4 credits
• Carry Out Wound Drainage Care — 4 credits
• Prepare and Provide Surgical Instrumentation and Supplementary Items for the Surgical Team — 6 credits
• Care for a Newly Born Baby When the Mother Is Unable to Do So — 4 credits
• Understand Child and Young Person Development — 4 credits
• Provide Support to Maintain and Develop Skills for Everyday Life — 4 credits
• Facilitate Learning and Development Activities to Meet Individual Needs and Preferences — 5 credits
• Enable Individuals with Behavioural Difficulties to Develop Strategies to Change Their Behaviour — 8 credits
• Reprocess Endoscopy Equipment — 4 credits
• Support Individuals with Cognition and Learning Difficulties — 5 credits
• Assist in Testing Individuals’ Abilities Prior to Planning Physical Activities — 5 credits
• Support Individuals to Manage Dysphagia — 5 credits
• Provide Advice on Foot Care for Individuals with Diabetes — 3 credits
• Transport, Transfer and Position Individuals and Equipment Within the Perioperative Environment — 5 credits
• Understand Sensory Loss — 3 credits
• Support Families Who Are Affected by Acquired Brain Injury — 3 credits
• Support Individuals During a Period of Change — 4 credits
• Perform Intravenous Cannulation — 4 credits
• Care for Individuals with Urethral Catheters — 4 credits
• Conduct Routine Maintenance on Clinical Equipment — 4 credits
• Assist and Support Individuals to Use Alternative and Augmentative Communication Systems (AAC) — 5 credits
• Measure and Record Individuals’ Body Fluid Balance in a Perioperative Environment — 4 credits
• Support Parents/Carers to Interact with and Care for Their Newborn Baby — 4 credits
• Deliver Training Through Demonstration and Instruction — 3 credits
• Principles for Implementing Duty of Care in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings — 1 credit
• Promote Child and Young Person Development — 3 credits
• Develop and Sustain Effective Working Relationships with Staff in Other Agencies — 4 credits
• Undertake Physiological Measurements — 3 credits
• Undertake Stoma Care — 4 credits
• Assure the Effective Functioning of Radiographic Image Processing Equipment — 4 credits
• Operate Equipment for Intraoperative Cell Salvage Blood Collection — 5 credits
• Advise and Inform Individuals on Managing Their Condition — 5 credits
• Assist Others to Monitor Individuals’ Progress in Managing Dysphagia — 5 credits
• Support Carers to Meet the Care Needs of Individuals — 5 credits
• Maintain Pharmaceutical Stock — 3 credits
• Anatomy and Physiology for Maternity Support Workers — 2 credits
• Receive Prescriptions from Individuals — 3 credits
• Understand How to Support Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Conditions — 3 credits
• Support Individuals with Specific Communication Needs — 5 credits
• Obtain and Test Capillary Blood Samples — 4 credits
• Support Individuals at the End of Life — 7 credits
• Contribute to Effective Multidisciplinary Team Working — 3 credits
• Analyse and Present Health Related Data and Information — 4 credits
• Remove Wound Drains — 4 credits
• Develop Activities and Materials to Enable Individuals to Reach Specific Communication Goals — 5 credits
• Operate Equipment for Intraoperative Cell Salvage Blood Processing and Complete Intraoperative Cell Salvage Blood Process — 5 credits
• Support Parents/Carers and Those in a Parental Role to Care for Babies During Their First Year — 5 credits
• Obtain a Client History — 3 credits
• Manage the Availability of Physical Resources to Meet Service Delivery Needs in a Health Setting — 5 credits
• Administer Medication to Individuals, and Monitor the Effects — 5 credits
• Undertake an In-Process Accuracy Check of Assembled Prescribed Items Prior to the Final Accuracy Check — 4 credits
• Promote Equality and Inclusion in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings — 2 credits
• Understand the Impact of Acquired Brain Injury on Individuals — 3 credits
• Support Individuals to Live at Home — 4 credits
• Promote Person Centred Approaches in Health and Social Care — 6 credits
• Interact with and Support Individuals Using Telecommunications — 5 credits
• Undertake Tissue Viability Risk Assessments — 3 credits
• Manufacture Equipment or Medical Devices for Individuals Within Healthcare — 4 credits
• Provide Support for Individuals with Communication and Interaction Difficulties — 5 credits
• Examine the Feet of Individuals with Diabetes — 4 credits
• Monitor Individuals’ Progress in Relation to Managing Their Body Weight and Nutrition — 3 credits
• Assist in Implementing Treatment Programmes for Individuals with Severely Reduced Movement/Mobility — 5 credits
• Assist in the Delivery of Perioperative Care and Support to Individuals — 4 credits

Level 4 Units

• Support Disabled Children and Young People and Those with Specific Requirements — 6 Credits, 45 GLH
• Enable Children and Young People to Understand Their Health and Well-Being — 5 Credits, 38 GLH
• Develop and Agree Individualised Care Plans for Babies and Families — 5 Credits, 38 GLH

Who Is This Qualification For?

The ProQual Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills is designed for individuals working in, or preparing for, healthcare and social care support roles where a defined range of care tasks and responsibilities is required. The qualification is particularly suitable for:

• Healthcare support workers
• Social care support workers
• Care assistants
• Healthcare assistants
• Residential care staff
• Care home support staff
• Community care workers
• Domiciliary care workers
• Individuals entering healthcare and social care careers
• Existing care staff seeking a recognised qualification
• Workers performing specific healthcare support tasks
• Staff supporting individuals with daily living needs
• Professionals developing person-centred care skills
• Individuals seeking progression to higher-level healthcare qualifications
• Workers who need to demonstrate occupational competence in their role

Career Opportunities

The ProQual Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills provides learners with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to pursue a range of support roles across the healthcare and social care sectors. As demand for safe, person-centred, and high-quality care continues to grow, qualified professionals with strong healthcare and social care support skills are valued across hospitals, care homes, community services, residential settings, and domiciliary care environments.

Future Progression

Upon successful completion of the ProQual Level 2 Diploma in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills, learners can progress to higher-level qualifications and advanced support roles within the healthcare and social care sectors. The qualification provides a strong foundation for developing professional competence in person-centred care, safeguarding, communication, health and safety, and individual wellbeing.

Learners may progress to higher-level healthcare and social care qualifications, undertake specialist training, or enhance professional competence through continuing professional development (CPD). Further study may support development in areas such as adult social care, healthcare practice, mental health support, disability care, dementia care, and community-based services.

The qualification can also support progression into roles including Senior Healthcare Support Worker, Senior Care Assistant, Senior Support Worker, Community Care Worker, Healthcare Assistant, Residential Support Worker, and Domiciliary Care Worker. The knowledge and practical skills gained are valuable across hospitals, care homes, residential services, community care, and other health and social care environments.