The ProQual Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills is an advanced vocational qualification designed for senior support workers and care practitioners seeking to deepen their expertise and leadership capabilities within the sector. This comprehensive programme builds upon foundational knowledge, exploring complex areas such as managing safeguarding practices, leading person-centred care planning, and understanding mental capacity legislation. The curriculum covers specialist topics including supporting individuals with multiple conditions, end-of-life care coordination, and promoting professional development within care teams. Successful completion confirms that an individual possesses the advanced knowledge and supervisory competence required to work autonomously and mentor others within diverse health and social care settings.
This qualification places strong emphasis on developing critical thinking, professional judgement, and ethical decision-making at a senior support level. Participants will engage with topics such as implementing positive risk-taking, championing diversity and inclusion, and leading quality improvement initiatives. The content is designed to build confidence in managing complex care scenarios, supporting individuals with high support needs, and contributing to organisational policy implementation. Assessment is conducted through portfolio building, allowing candidates to demonstrate their competence through detailed reflective accounts, witness testimonies, and work-based evidence that captures their advanced practice and leadership potential within real care environments.
The ProQual Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills is specifically designed for experienced practitioners ready to progress into senior support worker, care coordinator, or team leader roles. Upon achievement, learners may choose to pursue further specialised certifications in areas such as advanced dementia care, palliative care leadership, or mental health crisis support, as well as higher-level diplomas focusing on registered management and service development. This diploma stands alone as a significant professional milestone, validating both advanced practical competence and supervisory capability while opening doors to enhanced career progression and leadership opportunities across the health and social care sector.
Program Highlights
To achieve the ProQual Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills: Candidates must achieve a minimum of 37 credits: a minimum of 25 credits must be from the Level 3 units and the remaining 12 credits can be from any combination of units from the Level 2 or Level 3 or Level 4 units
Mandatory Units
| Sr# | Unit Title | Credit Value | GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Implement person centred approaches in health and social care | 5 | 33 |
| 2 | Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care | 3 | 10 |
| 3 | Assist in the administration of medication | 4 | 31 |
| 4 | Carry out personal hygiene for individuals unable to care for themselves | 3 | 30 |
| 5 | Support individuals with speech and language disorders to develop their communication skills | 4 | 27 |
| 6 | Perform the non-scrubbed circulating role for perioperative procedures | 3 | 20 |
| 7 | Minimise the risk of infection when transporting and storing healthcare waste | 3 | 30 |
| 8 | Assist in the issuing of prescribed items | 3 | 30 |
| 9 | Assist in the manufacture and assembly of medicinal products | 7 | 22 |
| 10 | Assist in the preparation of documentation, materials and other items for manufacture and assembly of medicinal products | 10 | 32 |
| 11 | Support individuals to carry out their own health care procedures | 2 | 23 |
| 12 | Provide support for therapy sessions | 2 | 6 |
| 13 | Contribute to the discharge of individuals to carers | 2 | 45 |
| 14 | Paediatric Emergency First Aid | 1 | 23 |
| 15 | Introduction to communication in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings | 3 | 20 |
| 16 | Support individuals to meet personal care needs | 2 | 24 |
| 17 | Contribute to the safe use of medical devices in the perioperative environment | 4 | 25 |
| 18 | Causes and Spread of Infection | 2 | 20 |
| 19 | Prepare documentation, materials, components and other items for the preparation of aseptic products | 6 | 38 |
| 20 | Introduction to duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings | 1 | 28 |
| 21 | Provide support for mobility | 2 | 30 |
| 22 | Assist others to plan presentations | 2 | 38 |
| 23 | Order Routine Pharmaceutical Stock | 3 | 33 |
| 24 | Dementia Awareness | 2 | 13 |
| 25 | Support individuals to manage continence | 3 | 26 |
| 26 | Move and position individuals in accordance with their plan of care | 4 | 25 |
| 27 | Handle information in health and social care settings | 1 | 43 |
| 28 | The role of the health and social care worker | 2 | 40 |
| 29 | Obtain and test specimens from individuals | 2 | 14 |
| 30 | Prepare individuals for healthcare activities | 3 | 27 |
| 31 | Assist in planning and evaluating learning activities | 3 | 35 |
| 32 | Provide support to the surgical team when preparing individuals for operative and invasive procedures | 2 | 35 |
| 33 | Assist the practitioner to carry out health care activities | 2 | 32 |
| 34 | Assist the practitioner to carry out health care activities | 2 | 32 |
| 35 | Work in partnership with families to support individuals | 4 | 45 |
| 36 | Minimise the risk of infection during the removal of used linen | 2 | 27 |
| 37 | Understand the context of supporting individuals with learning disabilities | 3 | 24 |
| 38 | Select and wear appropriate personal protective equipment for work in health care settings | 4 | 20 |
| 39 | Monitor and maintain the environment and resources during and after clinical / therapeutic activities | 3 | 20 |
| 40 | Prepare and dress for scrubbed clinical roles | 3 | 26 |
| 41 | Care for individuals with naso-gastric tubes | 3 | 26 |
| 42 | The principles of Infection Prevention and Control | 3 | 24 |
| 43 | Assist with the provision of a pharmacy service to meet individuals’ needs | 3 | 25 |
| 44 | Contribute to the effectiveness of teams | 3 | 28 |
| 45 | Support individuals who are distressed | 3 | 10 |
| 46 | Support individuals undergoing healthcare activities | 4 | 26 |
| 47 | Assist in receiving, handling and dispatching clinical specimens | 2 | 20 |
| 48 | Assist in the sale of medicines and products | 8 | 22 |
| 49 | Prepare aseptic products | 10 | 22 |
| 50 | Prepare and apply dressings and drains to individuals in the perioperative environment | 2 | 25 |
| 51 | Planning and Monitoring Work | 2 | 28 |
| 52 | Cleaning, Decontamination and Waste Management | 2 | 16 |
| 53 | Ensure your own Actions Reduce risks to Health and Safety | 2 | 14 |
| 54 | Introduction to equality and inclusion in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings | 2 | 30 |
| 55 | Provide agreed support for foot care | 3 | 25 |
| 56 | Contribute to health and safety in health and social care | 4 | 37 |
| 57 | Support independence in the tasks of daily living | 5 | 35 |
| 58 | Prepare equipment for intraoperative cell salvage blood collection | 2 | 30 |
| 59 | Maintaining quality standards in the health sector | 1 | 23 |
| 60 | Support participation in learning and development activities | 1 | 24 |
| 61 | Provide support for sleep | 3 | 30 |
| 62 | Remove wound closure materials | 3 | 23 |
| 63 | Support individuals to eat and drink | 2 | 25 |
| 64 | Undertake agreed pressure area care | 3 | 32 |
| 65 | Service improvement in the health sector | 2 | 43 |
| 66 | Meet food safety requirements when providing food and drink for individuals | 4 | 32 |
| 67 | Understand loss and grief in end of life care | 2 | 30 |
| 68 | Understand how to work in end of life care | 2 | 28 |
| 69 | Collection of used equipment | 3 | 35 |
| 70 | Sort used equipment and dispose of waste | 3 | 41 |
| 71 | Stroke awareness | 2 | 30 |
| 72 | Introductory awareness of sensory loss | 2 | 34 |
| 73 | Assist in the issuing of pharmaceutical stock | 3 | 38 |
Entry Requirements
The entry requirements for this advanced qualification are designed to ensure that learners possess the necessary experience, knowledge, and maturity to engage successfully with complex care topics and demonstrate leadership capability within health and social care settings.
- Age Requirements: Learners must be at least 18 years of age. This minimum age reflects the level of personal maturity, professional responsibility, and emotional resilience required to manage complex care situations, supervise others, and make autonomous decisions within regulated care environments.
- Educational Background: Learners should ideally hold a relevant Level 2 qualification in health and social care or a related field. This may include the ProQual Level 2 Certificate in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills, Level 2 Diploma in Health and Social Care, or equivalent certifications. Related diplomas in subjects such as childcare, early years, or supporting individuals with disabilities also provide a helpful foundation. GCSEs at grade C/4 or above in English and mathematics are beneficial but not mandatory.
- Language Proficiency: Learners must possess a strong command of written and spoken English. The qualification requires completion of detailed reflective accounts, care plans, risk assessments, and work-based evidence. A minimum equivalent to GCSE grade C/4 in English is strongly recommended to enable learners to meet the written demands of the portfolio.
- Work experience : This is an essential requirement for this qualification. Learners must be employed or volunteering in a health and social care role that provides sufficient opportunity to demonstrate the advanced competencies required at Level 3. This typically means holding a position such as care assistant, support worker, senior care assistant, or community support worker with regular exposure to complex care situations and responsibility for delivering person-centred support without direct supervision. Learners must have access to a workplace mentor or supervisor who can observe their practice and provide witness testimony.
These entry criteria ensure that every learner embarking upon this diploma possesses the practical experience, foundational knowledge, and professional readiness required to succeed at an advanced level. Whether you are progressing from a Level 2 Certificate or Diploma, bringing related qualifications from childcare or health-related fields, or seeking formal recognition for your significant experience as a senior support worker, this programme demands genuine commitment and a proven track record in delivering quality care. It is designed for those who are ready to move beyond supervised practice and into leadership, mentoring, and specialist support roles within the health and social care sector.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the ProQual Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills, learners will:
- Promote continuous personal and professional development.
- Understand key principles in healthcare and social care, including person-centered care, safeguarding, and promoting mental well-being.
- Gain the skills to communicate effectively with clients, families, and colleagues.
- Demonstrate the ability to support individuals with daily living activities, maintaining dignity and independence.
- Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of individuals in care settings.
- Understand the legal and ethical responsibilities involved in supporting vulnerable individuals.
- Support and promote mental health and well-being, recognizing when to seek additional support.
Target Audiences
The ProQual Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills is designed for experienced care practitioners who are ready to move beyond supervised support roles and into positions of greater responsibility, autonomy, and leadership. This advanced qualification is intended for individuals who already possess a solid foundation in care delivery and now wish to deepen their knowledge, specialise in complex support areas, and develop the supervisory skills required to guide and mentor others. It is suitable for those who are committed to delivering excellence in care and are seeking formal recognition of their advanced competence and professional capability.
- Senior Care Assistants and Support Workers – Experienced practitioners working in residential care homes, domiciliary care services, day centres, or supported living environments who wish to formalise their advanced skills and progress into senior support worker or team leader roles.
- Holders of Level 2 Health and Social Care Qualifications – Learners who have successfully completed the ProQual Level 2 Certificate or Diploma in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills, or equivalent Level 2 qualifications, and are now ready to build upon that foundation with advanced study and practice.
- Specialist Support Workers – Individuals working with specific client groups such as older people, individuals with dementia, adults with learning disabilities, or those requiring end-of-life care, who wish to develop deeper expertise within their specialist area.
- Care Coordinators and Junior Supervisors – Those already undertaking supervisory responsibilities, such as allocating tasks, supporting junior staff, or contributing to care planning, who require a formal qualification that reflects their leadership role.
- Individuals with Related Diplomas or Certificates – Learners who hold qualifications in allied fields such as Level 3 Diplomas in Childcare and Education, Level 3 Certificate in Supporting Individuals with Mental Health Needs, or Level 3 Award in First Aid and Emergency Care, and wish to transition or progress within adult health and social care.
- Experienced Care Workers without Formal Qualifications – Long-serving care assistants or support workers who have developed significant practical competence through years of experience but lack a formal qualification at Level 3, and now seek recognition and career progression.
- Volunteers with Substantial Experience – Unpaid carers or community volunteers who have accumulated extensive practical experience within hospice, charity, or community settings and now require a formal diploma to access paid employment at a senior level.
This qualification is for the care practitioner who others turn to for advice, the support worker who naturally leads by example, and the experienced assistant who is ready to take on greater responsibility. It is for those who understand that excellent care requires not only compassion but also advanced knowledge, professional judgement, and the ability to guide others towards best practice. Whether you are building upon a Level 2 Diploma, bringing related qualifications from childcare or mental health support, or seeking formal recognition for years of dedicated service, this programme is designed for those who are ready to step up, specialise further, and lead from the front within health and social care. It is the qualification of choice for the care professional who is no longer content to simply follow and is now prepared to lead.
