Skills Bootcamp: New to Care – Adult Social Care

OVERVIEW

Develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to start a rewarding career supporting adults in your community.

Looking for a career where you can make a difference to someone’s everyday life? Our New to Care Skills Bootcamp is designed for adults who are new to adult social care and want to take their first steps into the sector.

You’ll explore person-centred care, communication, safeguarding, mental health, dementia and safe working practices. The programme is aligned to the Care Certificate Standards and introduces the Adult Social Care Care Workforce Pathway, helping you understand the responsibilities of a care role and the opportunities to develop your career.

Alongside your learning, you’ll receive careers coaching, CV support and interview preparation, with opportunities to meet employers and explore care and support roles across Surrey.

What you will learn

This Skills Bootcamp will help you build the knowledge and professional skills needed for an entry-level role in adult social care. You’ll learn how to:

Understand the role, responsibilities and values of a care worker.
Support people in ways that respect their individual needs, choices and independence.
Communicate effectively and handle personal information appropriately.
Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, privacy and dignity.
Understand nutrition, hydration and wellbeing.
Develop awareness of mental health, dementia, learning disabilities and autism.
Recognise safeguarding concerns and understand your responsibilities.
Understand health and safety, infection prevention and safe working practices.
Explore digital care records and technology used in care settings.
Prepare for employment through teamwork, resilience and professional behaviours.

DURATION

DELIVERY MODEL

The programme combines online learning with face-to-face sessions at Guildford College.

Online sessions will cover sector knowledge, reflection activities, guest speakers and developments in care. Face-to-face sessions will provide opportunities for interactive learning, communication activities, employer engagement and interview preparation.

You’ll learn alongside others preparing for a career in care, with support from tutors and careers staff throughout the programme.

COURSE STRUCTURE

The programme is organised around six areas:

Professional foundations
Explore care roles, professional responsibilities, duty of care, personal development and reflective practice. Discover the career routes available through the Adult Social Care Care Workforce Pathway.

Values and communication
Develop your understanding of person-centred care, equality, diversity, inclusion, communication, confidentiality and information handling.

Dignity, health and wellbeing
Learn about privacy, dignity, nutrition and hydration, alongside awareness of mental health, dementia and learning disabilities.

Safety and safeguarding
Understand safeguarding responsibilities, health and safety, risk assessment, safe working practices and basic life support awareness.

Care practice and technology
Explore infection prevention and control, digital care records, data protection, autism awareness and assistive technology.

Preparing for employment
Build your confidence with CV writing, applications, interview preparation, teamwork and understanding employer expectations.

ONGOING SUPPORT AND PROGRESSION

You’ll receive careers advice, individual progress reviews and support to develop a personal progression plan.

Our team will help you prepare for roles such as:

Care Worker

Care Assistant

Support Worker

Home Care Worker

Residential Care Worker

Employer engagement, guest speakers and interview preparation will help you understand what working in care involves. Successful completers will be supported to access a guaranteed interview opportunity for a relevant role, subject to meeting the employer’s recruitment criteria.

You’ll also explore opportunities for further training and apprenticeships as you develop your career.

If you need additional learning support or reasonable adjustments, please tell us when you apply so we can discuss how to support you.

ELIGIBILITY

You’ll complete learning activities and build a portfolio demonstrating the knowledge and skills you develop throughout the programme.

On successful completion, you’ll receive an Activate Learning Award in Adult Social Care, at Level 2 equivalent, aligned to the Care Certificate Standards.

The Bootcamp develops the underpinning knowledge for the Care Certificate. To achieve the Care Certificate itself, you will need to complete the required workplace assessment with an employer once you enter a suitable care role.

PRICING

Skills Bootcamps are funded through Surrey County Council. Here’s how the funding works:

Unemployed individuals, freelancers and sole traders in Surrey: 100% funded.

Small and medium-sized businesses in Surrey (fewer than 250 employees): the employer contributes 10%; the remaining 90% is funded.

Large businesses in Surrey (250 or more employees): the employer contributes 30%; the remaining 70% is funded.

Learners may enrol in one fully funded Skills Bootcamp per year (1 April to 31 March).

ASSESSMENT

Ready to take your first step towards a career in care? Complete the Skills Bootcamp: New to Care application form. Our team will contact you to discuss your goals, confirm your eligibility and explain the enrolment process.

We’ll also discuss any support you need to take part.