Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support

Develops reflective practice and continuing professional development. Learners will evaluate their knowledge and performance, use feedback, identify learning needs, agree a personal development plan and demonstrate how learning has improved their professional practice.

Explores duty of care, duty of candour and professional accountability. Learners will understand how duty of care supports safe practice, manage conflicts between individual rights and safety, respond to concerns and follow appropriate complaints procedures.

Develops communication skills for working with individuals, families and professionals. Learners will adapt communication to individual needs, overcome barriers, manage sensitive conversations, maintain confidentiality and understand when advocacy or specialist communication support may be required.

Explores equality, diversity, inclusion, consent and discrimination within healthcare. Learners will respect individual cultures, values and preferences, promote equal access to services, work inclusively and challenge discriminatory practices appropriately.

Covers different forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation and the signs that may indicate harm. Learners will understand safeguarding responsibilities, respond to disclosures, report concerns, preserve evidence and follow whistleblowing and local safeguarding procedures.

Develops knowledge and practice relating to infection prevention and control. Learners will understand how infections spread, assess infection risks and apply hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, standard precautions and safe working practices.

Covers maintaining a clean and safe healthcare environment. Learners will select appropriate cleaning and decontamination methods, use cleaning equipment safely and segregate, handle, store and dispose of healthcare waste in accordance with workplace procedures.

Explores health and safety legislation, employer and employee responsibilities, risk assessment and safe systems of work. Learners will respond to hazards and emergencies and promote the physical and emotional wellbeing of themselves and others.

Develops person-centred approaches that protect dignity, choice, consent and independence. Learners will involve individuals in decisions, support active participation, use care plans appropriately and balance positive risk-taking with their duty of care

Develops the skills required to observe and monitor an individual’s health. Learners will recognise changes, undertake agreed observations, maintain accurate records and promptly report findings or concerns to the appropriate healthcare professional.

Explores the relationship between lifestyle, health and wellbeing. Learners will communicate health-promotion messages, identify barriers to healthier choices, respect individual decisions and signpost people to reliable information, advice and support services.

Develops the ability to contribute to quality and service improvement. Learners will identify areas for improvement, gather feedback, discuss proposed changes, participate in implementation and help colleagues and service users adjust to change.

Develops competence in preparing for, undertaking, recording and reporting physiological measurements. These may include temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, height, weight and BMI. Learners will obtain consent and escalate abnormal results.

Covers recognising and responding to signs of pain, distress and discomfort. Learners will use appropriate pain-assessment tools, assist with agreed comfort measures, monitor their effectiveness and report unresolved pain or changes in the individual’s condition.

Explores the importance of maintaining high standards in healthcare. Learners will monitor the quality of their own work, support colleagues, respond to feedback, identify areas for improvement and contribute to safe and effective services.

Introduces the principal forms, signs and effects of mental ill health. Learners will explore stigma, discrimination, social exclusion, barriers to accessing services, the impact on families and indicators that an individual’s mental health may be deteriorating.

Explores professional responsibilities, accountability and boundaries within the Senior Healthcare Support Worker role. Learners will follow agreed ways of working, maintain effective professional relationships, work collaboratively and understand when to seek advice or refer matters to others.

Develops the knowledge and practical competence required to move and position individuals safely. Learners will follow care plans and risk assessments, obtain consent, select appropriate equipment, use safe handling techniques and report changes or concerns.

Covers maintaining healthy skin and preventing pressure damage. Learners will understand risk factors, use pressure-area assessment tools, follow agreed care plans, use pressure-relieving equipment safely and recognise and report signs of skin deterioration.

Develops the knowledge and skills required to provide compassionate, person-centred end-of-life care. Learners will support comfort, dignity, communication, cultural and spiritual preferences, symptom management and the emotional needs of families and significant others.

Develops competence in assisting with medication under the direction of an authorised healthcare professional. Learners will obtain consent, confirm identity, check medication instructions, follow infection-control procedures, observe effects and complete accurate records.

Develops the knowledge and practical competence required to undertake venepuncture safely. Learners will prepare equipment and the individual, obtain consent, collect samples using infection-control procedures, manage possible complications and label, store and transport specimens correctly.