PWC02 – VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care (RQF)

Qualification summary

The Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care (RQF) qualification provides a solid foundation for those of you who may have a basic awareness of adult social care or be new to the sector as a whole. It is accessible for all ages, such as: 

  • school leavers who are eligible for employment
  • pre-apprenticeship programmes
  • adult returners
  • or those undergoing a career change and who may want to understand more about working in health and social care.

This qualification does not require you to have any prior qualifications or levels of previous learning. There is no minimum age requirement for this qualification.

Job roles where this qualification is linked to could include but are not restricted to:

  • Care assistants/Care assistants/support workers/key workers in residential settings
  • Healthcare Assistants/Healthcare assistants / support workers in community and primary care environments
  • Healthcare assistants / support workers in acute health environments
  • Care assistants/support workers/key workers in domiciliary services
  • Care assistants/support workers/key workers in day services
  • Support workers in supported living projects

This qualification aims to introduce you to the knowledge surrounding the following fundamental areas of adult social care:

  • Communication
  • Equality, diversity and inclusion
  • Personal development
  • Role of the social care worker
  • Handling information
  • Health and Safety
  • Safeguarding
  • Duty of Care
  • Person-centred approaches

It does not confirm occupational competence but relates to the knowledge elements covered in the units of the Level 2 Diploma in Care (RQF). Learners progressing to the Level 2 Diploma in Care will therefore have gained the underpinning knowledge for these units.

This qualification is supported by employers nationwide and delivered by colleges and training providers. For a list of those delivering this qualification please contact our customer services team.

It is anticipated that learners who complete this qualification will progress on to the Level 2 Diploma in Care.

If your job role requires a more advanced level of knowledge then you could chose the Level 3 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care.

VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care (RQF) Handbook

Qualification structure

Learners must achieve a total of 20 credits taken up by mandatory units.

Minimum guided learning hours – 179

Total Qualification Time – 200

Qualification numberQualification reference
PWC02 600/0585/3 

Group M – mandatory units

RQF
unit no.		Skillsfirst
unit no.		Unit titleCredit value
H/601/5474SHC24Introduction to duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings1
H/602/3039PWSC23Principles of diversity, equality and inclusion in adult social care settings2
J/602/3180PWSC26Understand person-centred approaches in adult social care settings4
L/602/2905PWSC21Principles of communication in adult social care settings2
L/602/3035PWSC22Principles of personal development in adult social care settings2
R/602/3179PWSC27Understand health and safety in social care settings4
A/601/8574HSC024Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care3
A/602/3113PWSC25Understand the role of the social care worker1
Y/602/3118PWSC28Understand how to handle information in social care settings1

To find out more about our registration/certification fees, contact our customer services team on
0121 270 5100 or  email us