Level 2 Understand Health and Safety in Health and Social Care Settings  
 
Overview of the course 

Type of course: Knowledge-based course (not a formal qualification)

Study method: Online, self-paced by learner

Level of this course: Level 2 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (equivalent to Level 5 in Scotland)

Credit value: 4 credits 

Estimated Course Duration: 40 hours average, depending on the learner

Entry requirements: No minimum entry restrictions

Assessment type: End of course Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Your knowledge will be tested with an automated multiple-choice quiz. You will receive instant results to let you know if you have successfully passed the course. Retakes are free while enrolment is live.

Assessment pass mark – 80% needed to pass

Cost(s) of MCQ test and certificate of completion – All costs included in the course price 
 
Access to coursework: 12 months 
 
Summary of the course
 
This course will equip learners with the knowledge and understanding of health and safety that is required in order to work in social care settings. 
 
The course explains key legislation that relate to general health and safety in social care settings and also the main points of health and safety policies. 
 
Learners will gain insight in the roles of various professionals, including those roles that require special training. 
 
The course defines hazards and risks in social care and discusses the use of risk assessment in helping to address dilemmas between an individual’s rights and health and safety concerns. 
 
The course teaches the learner about a variety of health and safety issues including infection prevention and control, safe moving and handling, environmental safety procedures, management of hazardous substances, managing stress, handling medication and food safety measures. 
 

What you will learn
This Level 2 course covers the following: 
 
Legislation relating to general health and safety in a social care setting
Main points of health and safety policies and procedures
Main responsibilities for health and safety, of the social care worker, the employer or manager, and individuals
Tasks relating to health and safety that should only be carried out with special training
How to access additional support and information relating to health and safety 
Definition of “hazard” and “risk”
How to use a health and safety risk assessment
How and when to report potential health and safety risks that have been identified
How risk assessment can help address dilemmas between an individual’s rights and health and safety concerns
Different types of accidents and sudden illness that may occur in a social care setting 
Procedures to be followed if an accident or sudden illness should occur
Why it is important for emergency first aid tasks should only be carried out by qualified first aiders
Routes by which an infection can get into the body
Ways in which own health or hygiene might pose a risk to an individual or to others at work
The most thorough method for hand washing
When to use different types of personal protective equipment
Legislation that relates to moving and handling
Principles for safe moving and handling
Why it is important for moving and handling tasks to be carried out following specialist training
Why it is important to have specialist training before assisting and moving an individual
Importance of following an individual’s care plan and fully engaging with
them when assisting and moving
Hazardous substances that may be found in the social care setting 
Safe practices for storing hazardous substances; using hazardous substances; disposing of hazardous substances 
Procedures to be followed in the social care setting to prevent fire, gas leak, floods, intruders, security breaches 
Procedures to be followed in the social care setting in the event of fire, gas leak, floods, intruders, security breaches 
Common signs and indicators of stress 
Circumstances that tend to trigger own stress 
Ways to manage stress 
Main points of agreed procedures about handling medication 
Identify who is responsible for medication in a social care setting 
Why medication must only be handled following specialist training 
Food safety standards relevant to a social care setting 
How to store food; maximise hygiene when handling food; dispose of food 
Common hazards when handling and storing food