Below are some of the different options that will enable you to build your knowledge, skills, and confidence to start you career in adult social care.
You can also visit the Question of Care website for an online quiz which gives you an idea of what the work is involves and whether you have the values needed for it..
Online Courses
There are a number of different learning providers offering courses to help you build your knowledge around adult social care.
Trafford College Distance Learning
Trafford College Distance Learning have a full online course programme focusing on health and social care which is free for those aged 19 and above and have lived in the UK for a minimum of 3 years. Check out their brochure via the link below, or contact them via email: distancelearning@tcg.ac.uk
The Training Brokers
Offers a range of courses relating to adult social care for people who are interested in working in the sector:
- Preparing to work in adult social care
- Level 2 Award in Dementia
- Level 2 certificate in Mental Health awareness
- Understanding dignity and safeguarding in adult social care
Courses are free to adults over the age of 19 who are unemployed or earning less that £17,500 a year. Visit their website via the link below, or contact them via email action@thetrainingbrokers.co.uk or call 0161 465 9844.
Standguide Group
Supporting people who are unemployed or those wanting to switch careers. Offer a range of courses relating to adult social care. To see a brochure of their courses click the link below, visit their website at www.standguide.co.uk or call 0161 881 4826.
Maximus Training
Offer free online courses for people over the age of 19, living in greater Manchester who are either not in education or employment or earning less than £17,500 a year. Courses relating to adult social care include:
- Safeguarding
- Equality and diversity
- Data protection
Contact them via the email link below, or call 07778138750.
Open Learn
Free learning from the Open University. Open Learn have a full catalogue of free online courses which include some courses relating to adult social care:
- Caring for adults
- Perspectives on Social Work: Individual Stories
- Modern slavery
SCIE (Social Care Institute for Excellence)
Offers a range of free and fee paying courses for those already working in the frontline of the sector. Free courses:
- An introduction to the mental health of older people
- Reablement
- Personalisation
- One page profiles
- Dementia awareness
The Growth Company
Offers an Access course: Access to Higher Education Diploma in Health and Social Care Professions.
If you are aged between 19-23 without a full level 3 qualification you will be eligible for full funding of the course.
Pre-Employment Programmes
Pre-employment programmes have been developed for people not in employment or education. They offer an online training programme followed by a work experience opportunity which this may lead to a job interview and offer.
Step into Care is a fully funded, training and work placement programme designed to support adult social care providers with their recruitment of entry level care workers. Since the programme began in May 2020, they have supported employers across Greater Manchester to fill over 100 care vacancies with their candidates.
Click on the links below for more information:
Education
For information regarding further education and higher education options see our In Education page.
If you want to gain qualifications in Maths and English, Trafford College have courses available:
Standguide offer functional skills Level 2 Maths and English:
Recruitment
You may already have the skills and experience to apply for job vacancies. Please check out the information on this site about different social care roles and our dedicated job vacancies page.