The Role of the Healthcare Assistant in the Community

The Health Care Assistant’s role and the needs of community settings are constantly evolving, and this award has been developed to provide underpinning knowledge and skills to support and meet the needs of the developing workforce. This course is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills gained whilst working within a community setting in a health or social care supportive role. It is aimed at students who are currently employed in a health or social care related role and can study part-time. Applicants have the opportunity to achieve 20 credits for each module completed or to achieve a Certificate in Continuous Professional Development after 40 credits have been completed. This includes The Long-Term condition module. The course will empower HCAs to undertake their role more effectively, having developed their self-confidence and self-awareness, and to attain a level of academic achievement that will provide a springboard for further study and development. It will also foster ownership of the role, developing an increased awareness of their accountability, vulnerability and limitations with the need for clear lines of delegation from a registered professional. This course runs over 8 days spread over two terms (between September 2026-April 2027). This can be done as a standalone module, or part of the Award for Health Care Assistants.

To undertake this course, you must be employed in a health or social care related role as you will need the support of your employer. You will also need a mentor/assessor to support you in the workplace who must be identified before you start the course. This needs to be a registered healthcare professional usually a nurse who holds a professional registration with a governing body such as the NMC.

Most courses require IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each component, or an equivalent approved English language qualification. Some courses have higher entry criteria, so check the course-specific entry requirements.

UK students: £1,045

UK/Home: £1,045

Tuesday 29 September 2026

See university application guidance on the course page.

• Centre for Health Innovation Stafford, United Kingdom