NCFE · RQF Level 3
NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
You don’t just earn this. You learn to use it, one-to-one, on your own real work.
- LevelRQF Level 3
- Guided learning1,189 hours
- Units in this qualification46
Awarded by NCFE · on the Ofqual register
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See how this course maps onto your role
Ten quick questions, one per Future Fluency, asked against this qualification rather than a generic one.
About 5 minutes · No card · Nothing to commit to
What you’ll learn
What each unit actually teaches you to do
Health, Public Services and Care, Health and Social Care
These are the units NCFE registers against this qualification. It is a catalogue, not a syllabus. Which of them you take depends on the combination the qualification requires, and that is set by the awarding body rather than by us. Every unit here is regulated, and every one you earn is yours to keep.
Advocacy in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Define advocacy and its importance in health and social care
- Identify different types of advocacy and their application
- Explain the roles and responsibilities of an advocate
- Apply advocacy skills in a health and social care context
- Understand the legal and ethical frameworks underpinning advocacy
Anatomy and physiology for health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the structure and functions of the organ systems of the human body
- Understand homeostasis in the human body
- Understand signs and symptoms of physiological disorders that affect organ systems
- Understand how to obtain, record and report physiological measurements and factors which may affect changes in physiological measurements
Behaviour change in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the principles of behaviour change in the context of health and social care.
- Identify factors that influence behaviour in individuals receiving health and social care.
- Analyse different models and theories of behaviour change relevant to health and social care settings.
- Understand strategies and techniques for promoting positive behaviour change in individuals.
- Recognise the importance of ethical considerations when implementing behaviour change interventions.
Biochemistry for healthReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the fundamental principles of biochemistry relevant to health.
- Identify key biochemical processes that occur within the human body.
- Analyse the role of different biomolecules in maintaining health and preventing disease.
- Understand how biochemical imbalances can contribute to various health conditions.
- Recognise the importance of biochemical testing in diagnosing and monitoring health.
Communication in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the principles of effective communication in health and social care
- Demonstrate effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills in health and social care settings
- Explain the importance of active listening and empathy in communication
- Adapt communication methods to meet the needs of diverse individuals
- Understand the role of technology in communication within health and social care
- Maintain confidentiality and adhere to data protection regulations when communicating information
Community care provisionReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Explain the principles of community care provision
- Describe the different models of community care
- Identify the roles and responsibilities of individuals involved in community care provision
- Understand the legislation and policies relevant to community care
- Explain the importance of person-centred approaches in community care
- Describe how to promote the rights, dignity and independence of individuals receiving community care
- Explain the importance of effective communication in community care
- Describe how to work in partnership with other agencies and professionals in community care
- Understand the importance of safeguarding in community care
- Explain how to respond to concerns and complaints in community care
Complementary therapies and alternative medicine for health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Define complementary therapies and alternative medicine
- Describe a range of complementary therapies and alternative medicine practices
- Explain the potential benefits and risks of using complementary therapies and alternative medicine
- Understand the principles of holistic care
- Evaluate the evidence base for the effectiveness of different complementary therapies and alternative medicine approaches
Dementia awarenessReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Define dementia and its different types
- Describe the common signs and symptoms of dementia
- Explain the impact of dementia on individuals, families, and carers
- Identify effective communication strategies for interacting with individuals with dementia
- Outline the principles of person-centred care for individuals with dementia
Empowerment in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the concept of empowerment in the context of health and social care.
- Identify the principles and values that underpin empowerment practices.
- Analyse the barriers to empowerment that individuals may face in health and social care settings.
- Understand strategies and techniques for promoting empowerment in individuals receiving care.
- Recognise the importance of respecting individual autonomy and choice in empowerment practices.
End of life careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Define end of life care and its principles
- Describe the physical, emotional, and social needs of individuals at the end of life
- Explain the importance of effective communication and support for individuals and their families
- Identify the legal and ethical considerations in end of life care
- Outline the different settings and services available for end of life care
Epidemiology for health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Define epidemiology and its relevance to health and social care
- Explain key epidemiological concepts and measures
- Analyse epidemiological data to identify patterns and trends in health and social care
- Evaluate the use of epidemiological evidence in informing health and social care policy and practice
- Understand the limitations of epidemiological studies
Equality, diversity and rights in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Explain the importance of equality and diversity in health and social care settings
- Analyse the impact of discriminatory practices on individuals in health and social care
- Describe the legal and ethical frameworks relating to equality, diversity and rights in health and social care
- Evaluate strategies for promoting equality, diversity and rights in health and social care practice
- Demonstrate an understanding of how to challenge discriminatory behaviour in health and social care settings
Ethics in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Define ethics and its relevance to health and social care
- Describe key ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice
- Explain the importance of confidentiality and data protection in health and social care
- Analyse ethical dilemmas that may arise in health and social care settings
- Evaluate the role of ethical frameworks and codes of conduct in guiding practice
Family issues in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Identify a range of family issues that can impact on health and social care
- Explain the impact of family dynamics on individual health and well-being
- Describe the role of health and social care professionals in supporting families
- Analyse the impact of social and economic factors on families
- Explain the importance of effective communication with families
- Describe the legal and ethical considerations when working with families
- Evaluate different approaches to family support in health and social care
Genetics in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the basic principles of genetics
- Understand the role of genetics in health and disease
- Analyse the ethical considerations related to genetics in health and social care
- Understand the impact of genetic conditions on individuals and families
- Apply knowledge of genetics to health and social care practice
Health educationReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the principles of health education
- Identify the different methods of health education
- Explain the factors that influence health behaviour
- Describe the different models of health behaviour change
- Understand the importance of effective communication in health education
- Explain how to plan and deliver health education programmes
- Describe how to evaluate the effectiveness of health education programmes
- Understand the ethical considerations related to health education
- Explain the role of health education in promoting health and wellbeing
- Describe how to adapt health education to meet the needs of different individuals and communities
Health psychologyReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the basic principles of health psychology
- Explain the relationship between psychological factors and health
- Identify different psychological models of health behaviour
- Describe the role of stress in health and illness
- Explain how psychological interventions can promote health and well-being
- Understand the psychological impact of illness and disability
- Explain the importance of communication and empathy in health care
Human growth and developmentReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Describe the stages of human growth and development across the lifespan
- Explain the physical, intellectual, emotional and social changes that occur at each stage of development
- Analyse the factors that can influence human growth and development
- Evaluate the impact of life events on individuals' development
- Understand the concept of individual differences in growth and development
Infection prevention and control in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the principles of infection prevention and control in health and social care settings.
- Identify different types of infections and their modes of transmission.
- Implement appropriate infection control measures in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
- Understand the importance of personal hygiene in preventing the spread of infection.
- Demonstrate correct handwashing techniques.
- Understand the safe disposal of clinical waste.
- Understand the principles of cleaning and disinfection in health and social care environments.
- Recognise the signs and symptoms of common infections.
- Understand the importance of reporting infections and outbreaks.
- Understand relevant legislation and guidance relating to infection prevention and control.
Learning disabilityReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand different types of learning disability
- Explain the potential impact of learning disabilities on individuals
- Describe the support available for individuals with learning disabilities
- Recognise the importance of promoting independence for individuals with learning disabilities
- Understand the legislation and policies relating to learning disabilities
Medication in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the principles of safe medication practice
- Describe different types of medication and their uses
- Explain the procedures for administering medication in health and social care settings
- Recognise the potential side effects and adverse reactions to medication
- Understand the legal and ethical considerations related to medication administration
Mental health and wellbeingReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the concepts of mental health and wellbeing
- Understand factors that influence mental health and wellbeing
- Recognise signs and symptoms of common mental health conditions
- Understand approaches to promoting mental health and wellbeing
- Support individuals with mental health needs
Microbiology for healthReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the basic principles of microbiology
- Identify different types of microorganisms
- Explain how microorganisms can cause infection
- Describe methods of preventing the spread of infection
- Understand the importance of hygiene in health and social care settings
- Explain the principles of sterilisation and disinfection
- Understand the role of antibiotics in treating infections
Models and systems of health careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Identify different models of health care delivery
- Describe the structure of the UK health care system
- Explain the roles of different professionals within the health care system
- Analyse the impact of different health care systems on patient outcomes
- Understand the principles of integrated care
Nutrition for health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the principles of nutrition
- Identify the main food groups and their functions
- Explain the importance of a balanced diet
- Understand the nutritional needs of different groups of people
- Describe the impact of poor nutrition on health and well-being
- Explain how to support individuals to make healthy food choices
- Understand the importance of food safety and hygiene
Partnership working in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Define partnership working in health and social care
- Explain the benefits of partnership working for service users
- Identify the different types of organisations that can be involved in partnership working
- Describe the roles and responsibilities of different partners
- Explain how to establish and maintain effective partnerships
- Describe the challenges of partnership working and how to overcome them
- Explain the importance of communication and information sharing in partnership working
- Evaluate the effectiveness of partnership working arrangements
Personal and professional developmentReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Reflect on own personal and professional development needs
- Develop a personal development plan with clear goals and objectives
- Evaluate different methods for personal and professional development
- Demonstrate commitment to continuous professional development
- Understand the importance of reflective practice in personal and professional development
PharmacologyReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the basic principles of pharmacology
- Describe the different routes of drug administration
- Explain how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolised and excreted by the body
- Identify the different classifications of drugs
- Explain the mechanisms of action of different drugs
- Describe the potential side effects and adverse reactions of different drugs
- Understand the factors that can affect drug action
- Explain the importance of safe drug handling and storage
- Describe the legal and ethical considerations related to pharmacology
- Understand the importance of accurate record keeping in relation to medication
Physiology of ageingReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the basic principles of physiology
- Describe the physiological changes that occur during ageing
- Explain the effects of ageing on different body systems (e.g., cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal)
- Identify the common health problems associated with ageing
- Explain the factors that can influence the rate of ageing
- Describe the importance of maintaining health and wellbeing in older age
- Understand the impact of ageing on cognitive function
- Explain the importance of promoting independence and autonomy in older adults
- Describe the role of healthcare professionals in supporting older adults
- Understand the ethical considerations related to the care of older adults
Physiology of coordinationReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Describe the key components of the nervous system and their functions in coordination
- Explain the role of the musculoskeletal system in movement and coordination
- Analyse the physiological processes involved in sensory perception and integration for coordination
- Evaluate the impact of various conditions and diseases on coordination
- Discuss the physiological changes that occur with age and their effects on coordination
Promoting positive behaviourReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Explain the importance of promoting positive behaviour in health and social care settings
- Identify factors that influence behaviour
- Describe strategies for promoting positive behaviour
- Demonstrate how to respond to challenging behaviour in a safe and appropriate manner
- Explain the importance of reflecting on own practice in promoting positive behaviour
Protection of children, young people and adults in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand legislation and guidance related to the protection of children, young people and adults in health and social care
- Identify different types of abuse and neglect
- Recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect
- Explain procedures for reporting concerns about abuse and neglect
- Understand the role of different agencies in safeguarding
- Explain the importance of working in partnership to protect individuals
- Understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality and data protection in relation to safeguarding
Psychological perspectives in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Describe different psychological perspectives relevant to health and social care
- Explain how psychological theories can be applied to understand behaviour in health and social care settings
- Analyse the impact of psychological factors on health and wellbeing
- Evaluate the use of psychological interventions in health and social care
- Understand the ethical considerations related to the application of psychological perspectives
Public health for health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Define public health and its importance in health and social care
- Explain the key principles of public health
- Identify the main public health challenges facing communities
- Describe the role of health and social care professionals in promoting public health
- Explain how to assess the health needs of a community
- Describe how to plan and implement public health interventions
- Evaluate the effectiveness of public health interventions
- Explain the importance of partnership working in public health
Reflective practiceReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the principles of reflective practice.
- Explain the importance of reflective practice in health and social care.
- Identify different models of reflective practice.
- Apply a reflective practice model to analyse own performance.
- Evaluate own strengths and areas for development.
- Develop an action plan to improve own practice based on reflection.
- Understand the role of supervision in reflective practice.
- Maintain a reflective journal or log.
- Understand the ethical considerations related to reflective practice.
- Analyse how reflective practice can improve service user outcomes.
Research skills for health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the principles of research in health and social care
- Formulate research questions relevant to health and social care
- Select appropriate research methods for health and social care investigations
- Collect and analyse data in a health and social care context
- Present research findings effectively in health and social care
Safeguarding in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the principles of safeguarding in health and social care.
- Identify different types of abuse and neglect.
- Recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect.
- Understand the legal and ethical frameworks for safeguarding.
- Explain the roles and responsibilities of different agencies in safeguarding.
- Report safeguarding concerns in accordance with organisational policies and procedures.
- Understand the importance of confidentiality and information sharing in safeguarding.
- Understand the principles of risk assessment in safeguarding.
- Explain how to support individuals who have experienced abuse or neglect.
- Understand the importance of working in partnership with other professionals to safeguard individuals.
Science of nutritionReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the basic principles of nutrition
- Identify the different food groups and their nutritional value
- Explain the role of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) in the body
- Explain the role of micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) in the body
- Describe the importance of hydration
- Understand the relationship between diet and health
- Explain the principles of healthy eating
- Describe the nutritional needs of different age groups and population groups
- Understand the impact of different dietary patterns on health
- Explain how to provide nutritional advice and support to individuals
Social policyReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Explain the key features of social policy in the UK
- Analyse the impact of social policy on individuals and communities
- Evaluate the role of different organisations in the development and implementation of social policy
- Assess the effectiveness of social policy in addressing social issues
- Understand the historical context of social policy development
Sociological perspectives in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand key sociological perspectives relevant to health and social care.
- Explain how sociological factors influence health and wellbeing.
- Analyse the impact of social inequalities on access to health and social care services.
- Understand the concept of social construction of health and illness.
- Evaluate the role of culture and ethnicity in shaping health beliefs and behaviours.
- Analyse the impact of social policies on health and social care provision.
- Understand the sociological perspectives on disability and long-term conditions.
- Explain the concept of medicalisation and its implications for health and social care.
- Analyse the role of the media in shaping public perceptions of health and illness.
- Understand the sociological perspectives on ageing and the life course.
Sociology of health and illnessReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand sociological perspectives on health and illness
- Understand the social determinants of health
- Analyse the impact of social inequalities on health outcomes
- Understand the role of social institutions in health and illness
- Apply sociological concepts to health and social care practice
Support care within fostering and adoption servicesReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Explain the principles of care within fostering services
- Explain the principles of care within adoption services
- Describe the legal and ethical frameworks underpinning fostering and adoption services
- Identify the needs of children and young people in foster and adoptive care
- Describe how to support the development of children and young people in foster and adoptive care
- Explain how to work in partnership with families and other professionals in fostering and adoption services
- Describe the importance of safeguarding children and young people in foster and adoptive care
- Explain how to respond to concerns about the welfare of children and young people in foster and adoptive care
Technology in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Identify different types of technology used in health and social care
- Describe how technology can be used to improve patient care
- Explain the benefits and challenges of using technology in health and social care settings
- Understand the importance of data security and confidentiality when using technology
- Evaluate the ethical considerations related to the use of technology in health and social care
The role of play for children and young peopleReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Explain the importance of play in the development of children and young people
- Identify different types of play and their benefits
- Describe how play can support learning and development across different age groups
- Analyse the role of the practitioner in facilitating play
- Evaluate the impact of the environment on play opportunities
Voluntary organisationsReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Identify different types of voluntary organisations in the health and social care sector
- Explain the roles and responsibilities of voluntary organisations
- Analyse the impact of voluntary organisations on service users and communities
- Evaluate the challenges and opportunities faced by voluntary organisations
- Understand the funding and governance structures of voluntary organisations
Working in health and social careReal unit · NCFE
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of individuals working in health and social care.
- Explain the importance of effective communication in health and social care settings.
- Understand the principles of person-centred care.
- Demonstrate effective teamwork skills.
- Understand the importance of respecting diversity and promoting equality.
- Explain the importance of maintaining confidentiality.
- Understand the legal and ethical frameworks that govern health and social care practice.
- Explain the importance of continuing professional development.
- Understand the principles of health and safety in the workplace.
- Understand the importance of promoting the rights and wellbeing of individuals receiving care.
The honest bit
You’ve started things before
Most courses were built for a room full of people who aren’t you. A cohort moves on whether or not your week allowed it, and by the third week the thing you’re behind on becomes the reason you stop opening it.
There’s no cohort here, and no timetable to fall behind. Before anything starts, Zavmo asks when you’re sharpest and how long you can realistically sit down for, then builds the sessions around those answers. A bad fortnight changes your pace. It doesn’t put you behind.
And you only pay once you start learning. Searching and planning are free, and you can cancel any time — so the cost of finding out is an afternoon, not a year.
Your passport
Every credit is a stamp you keep
Level 3 credits are regulated. They don’t vanish when a subscription ends or a website closes. They travel to any employer, and Zavmo keeps the map of what you’ve earned and what’s next.
Each stamp is a real unit registered against this qualification.
Who’d teach you this

The Evidence Evaluator
Assessor
Helps you show what you can actually do, gathering the evidence that proves it as you learn.
Meet all twelve tutorsWhere this connects
Where these credits take you
A qualification is never a dead end here. See the jobs its credits open, the national occupational standards its units map to, and the future skills they quietly build.
- Advocate for the improvement of health and wellbeing
- Advocate on behalf of others
- Appraise, plan and manage research related to improving health and wellbeing
- Collect and link data and information about the health and wellbeing and related needs of a defined population
- Create and capitalise upon opportunities to advocate the need for improving health and wellbeing
- Develop and sustain partnership or collaborative working arrangements
- Direct and manage research and development activities
- Empower communities to improve their own health and wellbeing
Skills it covers
What the job actually needs. These are the standards the units are built against, in the words employers and awarding bodies already use for the work itself.
How you’ll actually learn this
One-to-one, on your own real work
A qualification is usually something done to you: sit the class, sit the exam, hope it sticks. Here it’s the opposite. You learn it one-to-one with a companion, on your own real work, and you keep going until you can use it, not just recall it.
Applied to your own work
Learners will explore advocacy in health and social care, defining its importance and types. The unit covers the roles and responsibilities of advocates, application of advocacy skills, and the legal and ethical frameworks underpinning advocacy practice.
- Remember
- Understand
- Apply
- Analyse
- Evaluate
- Create
Built for NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
46 units in this credential, in the order it lists them, awarded by NCFE.
- Advocacy in health and social care
- Anatomy and physiology for health and social care
- Behaviour change in health and social care
- Biochemistry for health
- Communication in health and social care
- Community care provision
and 40 more in the full unit list below.
One to one, not one to many
No two people run this the same way
A course is written once and handed to everyone. This is assembled around you, and keeps changing as it learns you. Five things it reads, and what each one changes.
- Your actual work Every unit is taught against a live piece of your own work, not a worked example from a textbook.
- What you already know The first conversation finds your starting point, so you skip what you can already do and spend the time on what you cannot.
- The conditions you learn under Not a learning-styles quiz. The evidence does not support those. The dimensions the research does back, read once and used to shape the plan.
- How far you got last time It picks up mid-thought. The tutor knows what you said, what you struggled with, and what it asked you to try.
- Which tutor suits the moment Twelve of them, each for a different kind of thinking. The one who walks you through a first idea is not the one who stress-tests it.
See how you learn, free. Eight questions, no sign-up. A directional taster; the diagnostic inside Zavmo goes deeper and keeps adapting.
Why it sticks
Most courses stop at remembering
There’s a well-known ladder of how deeply you learn something, called Bloom’s Taxonomy. Most courses get you up the first two rungs: you remember some facts, you pass a test, you forget it. Real skill lives at the top. Judging, deciding, creating. And this isn’t a generic ladder: every rung has a named Zavmo tutor who walks you up it.
- 6CreateThe Creative Catalyst
- 5EvaluateThe Evidence Evaluator
- 4AnalyseThe Analyst
- 3ApplyThe Coach
- 2UnderstandThe Connector
- 1RememberThe Builder
Where most courses leave you Where Zavmo takes you
The value
Why the companion is worth £70 a month
You’re not paying for the units. They’re regulated, and the same wherever you earn them. You’re paying for the one thing that decides whether you actually get there: a companion that makes them stick, on your real work.
That is one-to-one on this qualification, every day, on the work you already do, for £70 a month. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it. Billed monthly, cancel any time and billing stops.
Earned on your own work, taught to the top.
Everything you just read, learned one-to-one on the job you already do. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it.
Build my plan, freeNo card. See how this qualification maps onto your role and meet the tutors who’d teach it, free. The learning begins when you subscribe. It’s £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.