Careermakers

The Level 2 NVQ in Health and Social Care is designed to reflect the work of candidates who deliver Health and Social Care to clients.

This award is about direct care, where the focus is ands-on care, (doing things for clients) enablement care, and development and maintenance of the clients independence (supporting and enabling clients to do things for themselves).

Candidates will usually be delivering care in support of and under the direction of a colleague who is accountable in the area of practise, although this person may not always be in the immediate vicinity while the candidate is working with clients. The candidate would be expected to seek support, advice and assistance if they are unclear about what to do or if unusual or untoward situations arise (for example, deterioration in the clients condition).

This NVQ is a work-oriented qualification and is aimed at those who have current real work experience. It is open to candidates of any age, of either gender and there are no entry barriers on grounds of race, creed or previous academic attainment or learning.

This qualification is suitable for people who deliver health and social care services.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this qualification
Qualification structure
To achieve this qualification, candidates must achieve 6 units made up of 2 Core units, 2 Optional units and the remaining 2 units can be taken from either the core group or optional group. If candidates are working in ‘Social Care’, it is advised by the Social Care Councils that candidates undertake the 4 core units in order to gain council recognition. Candidates can also undertake additional units, although these are not required to complete the qualification

Assessment and grading

Like all NVQs, this qualification is competence-based. This means that it is linked to a person’s ability to competently perform a range of tasks connected with their work.
To achieve this qualification, candidates must achieve 6 units made up of 2 Core units, 2 Optional units and the remaining 2 units can be taken from either the core group or optional group. If candidates are working in ‘Social Care’, it is advised by the Social Care Councils that candidates undertake the 4 core units in order to gain council recognition.
Candidates can also undertake additional units, although these are not required to complete the qualification.
Core Units
21 Communicate with, and complete records for individuals
22 Support the health and safety of yourself and individuals
23 Develop your knowledge and practice
24 Ensure your own actions support the care, protection and well-being of individuals

Optional Units

25 Carry out and provide feedback on specific plan of care activities
26 Support individuals to access and use information
27 Support individuals in their daily living
28 Support individuals to make journeys
29 Support individuals to meet their domestic and personal needs
210 Support individuals to access and participate in recreational activities
211 Support individuals to take part in development activities
212 Support individuals during therapy sessions
213 Provide food and drink for individuals
214 Help individuals to eat and drink (excluded combination with 213)
215 Help individuals to keep mobile
216 Help address the physical comfort needs of individuals
217 Undertake agreed pressure area care
218 Support individuals with their personal care needs
(excluded combination with 219)
219 Support individuals to manage continence
excluded combination with 218)
220 Maintain the feet of individuals who have been assessed as requiring help with general foot care
221 Assist in the administration of medication
222 Support individuals prior to, during and after clinical procedures
223 Contribute to moving and handling individuals
224 Observe, monitor and record the conditions of individuals
225 Support individuals to undertake and monitor their own health care
226 Support individuals who are distressed
227 Contribute to working in collaboration with carers in the caring role
228 Contribute to effective group care
229 Gain access to, and ensure individuals’ home are secure
230 Manage environments and resources during clinical activities
232 Protect yourself from the risk of violence at work
Additional Units
233 Relate to, and interact with individuals
234 Ensure your own actions support the equality, diversity, rights and responsibilities of individuals
235 Enable individuals to negotiate specific environments
236 Receive, and store medicines and products
237 Obtain and test capillary blood samples
238 Obtain and test specimens from individuals
239 Contribute to the care of a deceased person
240 Contribute to the identification of the risk of danger to individuals and others
241 Contribute to the effectiveness of teams
242 Receive and pass on messages and information
243 Monitor, handle and maintain materials and equipment
244 Manage and organise time and activities to support individuals in the community
245 Receive and monitor visitors
246 Maintain a safe and clean environment