ProQual Level 2 Award in Healthcare and Social Care Support Skills

Learning outcomes of this course are:

1. Implement Person-Centred Approaches in Health and Social Care

• Understand the principles of person-centred care and how they apply in healthcare settings.
• Develop skills to promote individual choice, dignity, and independence.
• Learn how to adapt care based on individual needs and preferences.

2. Principles of Safeguarding and Protection in Health and Social Care

• Identify signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect.
• Understand safeguarding policies and legal frameworks.
• Learn the correct procedures for reporting safeguarding concerns.

3. Assist in the Administration of Medication

• Understand the different types of medication and their effects.
• Learn safe medication handling, storage, and administration procedures.
• Recognize potential side effects and adverse reactions.

4. Carry Out Personal Hygiene for Individuals Unable to Care for Themselves

• Assist with bathing, dressing, oral hygiene, and grooming.
• Promote dignity and privacy while providing personal care.
• Follow infection control and hygiene best practices.

5. Support Individuals with Speech and Language Disorders to Develop Their Communication Skills

• Understand different speech and language disorders.
• Implement communication techniques and assistive tools.
• Support individuals in expressing their needs and feelings.

6. Perform the Non-Scrubbed Circulating Role for Perioperative Procedures

• Assist in preparing the operating room for procedures.
• Support the surgical team with equipment and supplies.
• Maintain a sterile environment and follow safety protocols.

7. Minimise the Risk of Infection When Transporting and Storing Healthcare Waste

• Identify different types of healthcare waste.
• Follow waste management policies to reduce infection risk.
• Use protective equipment when handling hazardous materials.

8. Assist in the Issuing of Prescribed Items

• Understand the procedures for dispensing prescriptions.
• Ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations.
• Support patients in understanding medication instructions.

9. Assist in the Manufacture and Assembly of Medicinal Products

• Learn safe procedures for preparing medicinal products.
• Follow hygiene and safety guidelines.
• Maintain accurate records and documentation.

10. Assist in the Preparation of Documentation, Materials, and Other Items for Manufacture and Assembly of Medicinal Products

• Organize and prepare pharmaceutical materials.
• Ensure compliance with pharmaceutical regulations.
• Maintain quality control during the preparation process.

11. Support Individuals to Carry Out Their Own Health Care Procedures

• Encourage self-care and independence.
• Assist individuals in following treatment plans.
• Provide emotional and physical support.

12. Provide Support for Therapy Sessions

• Assist therapists with session preparation.
• Support patients in following therapy exercises.
• Monitor progress and provide feedback.

13. Contribute to the Discharge of Individuals to Carers

• Understand discharge planning procedures.
• Communicate care instructions to carers and families.
• Ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home.

14. Paediatric Emergency First Aid

• Learn basic life-saving techniques for children.
• Handle choking, bleeding, and fractures.
• Follow emergency response protocols.

15. Introduction to Communication in Health, Social Care, or Children’s and Young People’s Settings

• Understand the importance of communication in healthcare.
• Use effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Overcome barriers to communication in care settings

16. Support individuals to meet personal care needs

• Be able to work with individuals to identify their needs and preferences in relation to personal care
• Be able to provide support for personal care safely
• Be able to support individuals to use the toilet
• Be able to support individuals to maintain personal hygiene
• Be able to support individuals to manage their personal appearance
• Be able to monitor and report on support for personal care

17. Contribute to the safe use of medical devices in the perioperative environment

• Understand the importance of following health and safety requirements when using medical devices in the perioperative environment
• Be able to check and handle medical devices in the perioperative environment, according to health and safety procedures
• Be able to check the integrity of instrument trays
• Be able to dispose of used items and equipment safely

18. Causes and Spread of Infection

• Understand the causes of infection
• Understand the transmission of infection

19. Prepare documentation, materials, components and other items for the preparation of aseptic products

• Prepare, monitor and maintain suitable working environments
• Complete documentation accurately
• Prepare starting materials for the preparation of aseptic products
• Comply with current legislation, policy, good practice, organisational and professional codes of practice and ethical standards
• Operate within the limitations of the job role

20. Introduction to duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings

• Understand the implications of duty of care
• Understand support available for addressing dilemmas that may arise about duty of care
• Know how to respond to complaints

21. Provide support for mobility

• Understand the importance of mobility
• Be able to prepare for mobility activities
• Be able to support individuals to keep mobile
• Be able to observe, record and report on activities to support mobility

22. Assist others to plan presentations

• Understand techniques and resources involved in planning presentations
• Be able to assist others to plan presentations

23. Order Routine Pharmaceutical Stock

• Be able to accurately order stock
• Be able to process orders
• Be able to complete the ordering process
• Comply with current legislation, policy, good practice, organisational and professional codes of practice and ethical standards Operate within the limitations of the job role

24. Dementia Awareness

• Understand what dementia is
• Understand key features of the theoretical models of dementia
• Understand factors relating to an individual’s experience of dementia

25. Move and position individuals in accordance with their plan of care

• Understand anatomy and physiology in relation to moving and positioning individuals
• Understand legislation and agreed ways of working when moving and positioning individuals
• Be able to minimise risk before moving and positioning individuals
• Be able to prepare individuals before moving and positioning
• Be able to move and position an individual
• Know when to seek advice from and/or involve others when moving and positioning an individual

26. Support individuals to manage continence

• Understand factors that affect the management of continence
• Be able to support individuals to manage their own continence
• Be able to support the use of equipment to manage continence
• Be able to support continence safely
• Be able to monitor and report on support for managing continence

27. Handle information in health and social care settings

• Understand the need for secure handling of information in health Know how to access support for handling information and social care settings
• Know how to access support for handling information
• Be able to handle information in accordance with agreed ways of working

28. The role of the health and social care worker

• Understand working relationships in health and social care.
• Be able to work in ways that are agreed with the employer.
• Be able to work in partnership with others.

29. Obtain and test specimens from individuals

• Understand the processes involved in obtaining and testing specimens from individuals.
• Be able to prepare to obtain specimens from individuals.
• Be able to obtain specimens from individuals.
• Be able to test specimens.
• Be able to report on the outcomes on the test of specimens.
• Understand relevant legislation, policy and good practice in relation to obtaining, carrying, testing and storing specimens.

30. Prepare individuals for healthcare activities

• Understand current legislation, policy and good practice related to the preparation of individuals for healthcare activities
• Be able to prepare individuals for healthcare activities
• Be able to record and report healthcare activities

31. Assist in planning and evaluating learning activities

• Know about current legislation, national guidelines, policies, protocols and good practice which inform planning and evaluating learning activities
• Understand adult learning styles
• Understand roles and responsibilities in planning, implementing and evaluating learning activities
• Be able to assist in planning learning activities
• Be able to evaluate learning activities

32. Assist the practitioner to carry out health care activities

• Know about current legislation, national guidelines, policies, protocols and good practice when assisting the practitioner to carry out health care activities
• Be able to assist the practitioner in carrying out health care activities

33. Minimise the risk of infection during the removal of used linen

• Understand the guidelines to be followed in relation to infection prevention and control
• Know how to remove linen for collection and disposal whilst minimising the risk of infection
• Be able to prepare to remove used linen in a way that minimises the risk of spreading infection
• Be able to remove used linen while reducing the risk of infection
• Be able to minimise the risk of infection after removing used linen

34. Inform an individual of discharge arrangements

• Understand discharge and post discharge information needs of individuals
• Be able to inform individuals of discharge arrangements

35. Understand the context of supporting individuals with learning disabilities

• Understand the legislation and policies that support the human rights and inclusion of individuals with learning disabilities
• Understand the nature and characteristics of learning disability
• Understand the historical context of learning disability
• Understand the basic principles and practice of advocacy, empowerment and active participation in relation to supporting individuals with learning disabilities and their families
• Understand how views and attitudes impact on the lives of individuals with learning disabilities and their family carers
• Know how to promote communication with individuals with learning disabilities

36. Select and wear appropriate personal protective equipment for work in health care settings

• Understand legislation, local policy and protocol in relation to dressing for work in a health care setting
• Be able to select and use personal protective equipment (PPE) in a health care setting

37. Monitor and maintain the environment and resources during and after clinical / therapeutic activities

• Know the procedures for monitoring and maintaining the environment and resources
• Be able to operate equipment
• Be able to monitor and maintain the environment and resources
• Be able to clean resources in own work area

38. Prepare and dress for scrubbed clinical roles

• Understand how to follow safe procedures when preparing and dressing for scrubbed clinical roles
• Know how to work within own sphere of competence
• Understand how to dress for scrubbed clinical roles
• Be able to work within scrubbed clinical roles

39. Care for individuals with naso-gastric tubes

• Understand how to care for individuals with naso-gastric tubes in line with current legislation, national guidelines, policies, protocols and good practice guidelines
• Know the anatomy and physiology of the upper gastrointestinal system and its relevance to naso-gastric procedures
• Be able to prepare to carry out nasogastric procedures
• Be able to support individuals undergoing naso-gastric procedures

40. The principles of Infection Prevention and Control

• Understand roles and responsibilities in the prevention and control of infections
• Understand legislation and policies relating to prevention and control of infections
• Understand systems and procedures relating to the prevention and control of infections
• Understand the importance of risk assessment in relation to the prevention
• Understand the importance of using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the prevention and control of infections
• Understand the importance of good personal hygiene in the prevention and control of infections

41. Assist with the provision of a pharmacy service to meet individuals’ needs

• Identify individual’s needs
• Provide information which meets the requirements of the individual
• Resolve individual’s issues and concerns
• Comply with organisational standard operating procedures, policies and procedures service
• Work within the limitations of the job role

42. Contribute to the effectiveness of teams

• Explain the importance of own role and how it contributes to the team performance
• Use feedback to improve personal team performance
• Manage time and commitments effectively
• Establish effective working relationships with all members of the team
• Comply with organisational, national and European legislation

43. Introduction to personal development in health, social care or children's and young people’s settings

• Understand what is required for competence in own work role
• Be able to reflect on own work activities
• Be able to agree a personal development plan
• Be able to develop own knowledge, skills and understanding

44. Support individuals who are distressed

• Understand causes and effects of distress
• Be able to prepare to support individuals who are experiencing distress
• Be able to support individuals through periods of distress
• Be able to support individuals to reduce distress
• Be able to record and report on an individual’s distress

45. Support individuals undergoing healthcare activities

• Understand healthcare activities in order to support individuals
• Be able to prepare individuals to undergo healthcare activities
• Be able to support individuals undergoing healthcare activities.
• Be able to support individuals following the healthcare activities.

46. Prepare equipment for intraoperative cell salvage blood processing

• Understand current legislation, national guidelines, policies, protocols and good practice related to which inform the preparation of equipment for intraoperative cell salvage blood processing
• Understand blood transfusion issues in relation to intraoperative cell salvage
• Understand the rationale for the use of intraoperative cell salvage
• Understand how the decision to proceed with intraoperative cell salvage blood processing is made
• Understand the rationale for swab washing in relation to intraoperative cell salvage blood
• Understand the role and function of equipment used for intraoperative cell salvage blood processing
• Be able to prepare equipment for intraoperative cell salvage blood processing

47. Assist in receiving, handling and dispatching clinical specimens

• Understand how health and safety measures are implemented when receiving, handling and dispatching clinical specimens
• Understand the reasons for different containers and transport media for different clinical specimens
• Be able to assist others to receive, handle, label and dispatch clinical specimens

48. Assist in the sale of medicines and products

• Be able to identify customers' needs
• Be able to refer a customer to the appropriate authority
• Understand when the sale of OTC medicines cannot be completed
• Be able to sell medicines or products
• Know the local policy, legislation and good practice for sale of medicine

49. Receive Pharmaceutical Stock

• Be able to receive stock
• Be able to correctly store stock
• Be able to complete the receipt of stock
• Know about the current legislation and good practice for receipt of stock
• Be able to comply with current legislation, policy, good practice, organisational and professional codes of practice and ethical standards
• Be able to operate within the limitations of the job role

50. Prepare aseptic products

• Monitor the working environment
• Prepare and maintain suitable working environments
• Prepare a range of aseptic products
• Comply with current legislation, policy, good practice, organisational and professional codes of practice and ethical standards
• Operate within the limitations of the job role

51. Prepare and apply dressings and drains to individuals in the perioperative environment

• Understand the health and safety measures related to preventing wound contamination and cross infection when preparing and applying dressings and drains
• Understand how medical devices are used in the application of dressings, wound supports and drains in the learner environment
• Be able to select and prepare dressings and drains according to individual requirements
• Be able to apply dressings and attach drains according to individual requirements

52. Planning and Monitoring Work

• Understand how to work within the organisation’s policies, procedures and priorities
• Understand how to plan and allocate work
• Understand how to monitor a team’s work

53. Cleaning, Decontamination and Waste Management

• Understand how to maintain a clean environment to prevent the spread of infection
• Understand the principles and steps of the decontamination process
• Understand the importance of good waste management practice in the prevention of the spread of infection

54. Ensure your own Actions Reduce risks to Health and Safety

• Be able to identify the hazards in the workplace
• be able to act upon hazards in the workplace
• be able to reduce the risks to health and safety in the workplace

55. Introduction to equality and inclusion in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings

• Understand the importance of equality and inclusion
• Be able to work in an inclusive way
• Know how to access information, dvice and support about diversity, equality and inclusion

56. Provide agreed support for foot care

• Understand the signs and causes of foot and toe-nail abnormalities
• Be able to prepare to provide support for assessed foot care needs
• Be able to promote the individual’s engagement in their own foot care
• Be able to provide foot care safely
• Be able to record and report on foot care

57. Contribute to health and safety in health and social care

• Understand own responsibilities, and the responsibilities of others, relating to health and safety in the work setting
• Understand the use of risk assessments in relation to health and safety
• Understand procedures for responding to accidents and sudden illness
• Be able to reduce the spread of infection
• Be able to move and handle equipment and other objects safely
• Know how to handle hazardous substances and materials
• Understand how to promote fire safety in the work setting
• Be able to implement security measures in the work setting
• Know how to manage own stress

58. Support independence in the tasks of daily living

• Understand principles for supporting independence in the tasks of daily living
• Be able to establish what support is required for daily living tasks
• Be able to provide support for planning and preparing meals
• Be able to provide support for buying and using household and personal items
• Be able to provide support for keeping the home clean and secure
• Be able to identify and respond to changes needed in support for daily living tasks

59. Prepare equipment for intraoperative cell salvage blood collection

• Know current legislation, national guidelines, policies, protocols and good practice related to the preparation of equipment for intraoperative cell salvage blood collection
• Understand transfusion issues related to intraoperative cell salvage
• Understand the role and function of equipment used in intraoperative cell salvage blood collection
• Be able to prepare equipment for intraoperative cell salvage blood collection

60. Maintaining quality standards in the health sector

• Know how legislation, policies and procedures determine quality standards of work
• Know the limits of own expertise and knowledge and when to refer to others
• Know how to use resources efficiently to support quality standards

61. Emergency First Aid Skills

• Understand the role and responsibilities of an emergency first aider
• Know how to assess an incident
• Manage an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally
• Manage an unresponsive casualty who is not breathing normally
• Recognise and assist a casualty who is choking
• Manage a casualty who is wounded and bleeding
• Manage a casualty who is in shock
• Understand how to manage a casualty with a minor injury

62. Assemble prescribed items

• Prepare to assemble prescribed items
• Select the prescribed item
• Label and package prescribed items
• Complete the assembly process
• Comply with current legal and ethical requirements, organisational standard operating procedures and relevant national and local guidelines and policies

63. Support participation in learning and development activities

• Understand the factors to take into account when supporting individuals to take part in activities for learning and development
• Be able to support individuals to prepare for taking part in learning and development activities
• Be able to contribute to preparing the environment and resources for learning and development activities
• Be able to support individuals to take part in learning and development activities
• Be able to contribute to the evaluation of learning or development activities

64. Provide support for sleep

Understand the importance of sleep
Be able to establish conditions suitable for sleep
Be able to assist an individual to sleep
Be able to monitor sleep
Know how to access information and advice about difficulties with sleep

65. Remove wound closure materials

• Know the anatomy and physiology of the skin and underlying tissues
• Understand wound healing and contamination
• Understand the rationale for following approved procedures and techniques to remove wound closures
• Be able to prepare to remove wound closure materials
• Be able to remove wound closure materials
• Be able to record and report outcomes of procedures

66. Support individuals to eat and drink

• Be able to support individuals to make choices about food and drink
• Be able to prepare to provide support for eating and drinking
• Be able to provide support for eating and drinking
• Be able to clear away after food and drink
• Be able to monitor eating and drinking and the support provided

67. Undertake agreed pressure area care

• Understand the anatomy and physiology of the skin in relation to pressure area care
• Understand good practice in relation to own role when undertaking pressure area care
• Be able to follow the agreed care plan
• Understand the use of materials, equipment and resources are available when undertaking pressure area care
• Be able to prepare to undertake pressure area care
• Be able to undertake pressure area care

68. Meet food safety requirements when providing food and drink for individuals

• Understand the importance of food safety measures when providing food and drink for individuals
• Be able to maintain hygiene when handling food and drink
• Be able to meet safety requirements when preparing and serving food and drink for individuals
• Be able to meet safety requirements when clearing away food and drink
• Be able to store food and drink safely
• Know how to access additional advice or support about food safety

69. Understand loss and grief in end of life care

• Know the process of loss and grief
• Understand loss in the context of end of life care
• Understand how to support people following bereavement
• Understand how to manage own feelings of loss and grief when working in end of life care

70. Understand how to work in end of life care

• Know different perspectives on death and dying
• Understand the aims, principles and policies of end of life care
• Understand factors regarding communication in end of life care
• Know how to access the range of support services available to individuals and others