Planning to enrol in FuturU’s Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate? Congratulations on taking a big step forward in your adult social care career! This qualification will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills to provide excellent care to those reliant on you for support.
And here at FuturU, we’ll do everything we can to support you during your learning journey and beyond. In the coming months, we’ll be sharing plenty more information, right here on our blog and in the FuturU app, to guide you through the qualification – from onboarding to assessment.
Today we’re exploring some of the different words, phrases and acronyms you might encounter while undertaking this Level 2 qualification. We’ll explain some of the language you might not have come across before to help you navigate your learning journey.
Assessment
You’ll undertake a set of assessments as part of the Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate to ensure you have acquired and are able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours required of you.
Assessment Methods
You’ll be assessed through a variety of methods to demonstrate your knowledge and skills:
- Observations of Practice: This is where you get to showcase your skills in action. Assessors will observe you interacting with service users, performing care tasks, and demonstrating your knowledge in real care environments. This could involve anything from assisting with daily living activities to communicating effectively with service users and their families.
Professional Discussions: These structured conversations are your chance to delve deeper. Assessors will ask you questions about your thought processes behind actions taken during observations, probe your understanding of care principles, and explore your problem-solving abilities in hypothetical scenarios. - Reflective Accounts: This is your time to shine a light on your learning journey. You’ll be asked to describe the actions you’ve carried out during work activity, reflect on and evaluate the choices and actions you’ve made, and think about how your learning has changed and enhanced your everyday practice.
- Simulation of Practice: Not all situations can be replicated in a real care setting. That’s where simulation comes in. Assessors might create mock scenarios using role-playing or simulations to assess your ability to handle challenging situations, make ethical decisions, and demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Expert Witness Statements: In some cases, qualified professionals who have witnessed your competence in specific areas can provide statements as part of your assessment. This could be particularly relevant for niche skills or situations where direct observation might not be feasible.
Work Products: Completed work documents like care plans, progress notes, or certificates of completion for specific training modules can serve as evidence of your acquired knowledge and ability to apply it in practical situations. - Witness Testimonies: The voices of those you care for matter. Statements from colleagues or service users verifying your capabilities and the positive impact of your care can be a valuable addition to your assessment portfolio.
Assessor
Your dedicated assessors are independent, qualified professionals who ensure you meet the required standards for the qualification. They’ll:
- Conduct assessments in accordance with the qualification criteria
- Guide you through the assessment process
- Provide constructive feedback to help you improve
- Uphold fair and consistent assessment practices
- Collaborate with your mentor and employer to facilitate your work-based assessments.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The Joint Skills Council (JCQ) defines artificial intelligence (AI) as;
“AI use refers to the use of AI tools to obtain information and content which might be used in work produced for assessments which lead towards qualifications.”
While AI tools can be helpful for learning, using them to generate content that’s submitted as your own work is strictly prohibited. Discuss any potential use of AI with your Learner Coordinator and Assessors before proceeding.
Calendly
This online scheduling tool will help you book your assessments conveniently.
Employer
Your employer is the company that you work for – they will play a crucial role in supporting your learning journey. Their responsibilities include:
- Providing on-the-job training and supervision
- Facilitating work-based observations and assessments
- Collaborating with FuturU
- Supporting your mentor in guiding and monitoring your progress
- Creating a positive learning environment where you can apply your new skills.
Learner Support Coordinator
The Learner Support Coordinator is your first point of contact for any inquiries or support throughout your studies. They’ll assist you with the online learning platform, technical issues, and booking assessments.
Mentor
Your mentor will provide ongoing support throughout your studies. They’ll:
- Help you understand course materials and key concepts
- Assist you in setting realistic goals and action plans
- Offer feedback on your progress and areas for improvement
- Advocate for your learning needs
- Enable communication and collaboration between you, your employer and FuturU.
OneFile
This software is used to track and monitor your progress. It stores your assessment plans, providing details of each component including what’s needed, the learning criteria, progress details and feedback.
Reasonable Adjustments
If you have a disability or additional needs, FuturU is committed to providing reasonable adjustments to ensure equal access to assessments. This might include extra time, alternative format materials, or assistive technology. Speak to your assessor if you believe you are eligible for reasonable adjustments.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Also known as RPL, Recognition of Prior Learning allows you to claim credit for existing skills and experience you possess that align with the learning outcomes of the qualification.
Here at FuturU, we recognise two types of RPL:
- Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning (RPCL): This uses evidence from formal qualifications like certificates or diplomas you’ve obtained previously
- Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL): This assesses the knowledge and skills you’ve gained through work or life experiences.
Special Considerations
If unforeseen circumstances (eg. illness, bereavement, accidental events at the time of assessment) temporarily impact your ability to perform in an assessment, you may be eligible for special considerations. Contact your assessor to discuss your situation.
Total Qualification Time (TQT)
This refers to the total number of hours of learning that you’re expected to undertake to complete and show achievement of the qualification. TQT comprises two types of activity:
- Guided Learning Hours (GLH): Time spent directly interacting with tutors and assessors (e.g., lessons, tutorials and assessments)
- Independent Study Hours: Time dedicated to private study, preparing for assessments, and undertaking unsupervised assessments (eg. preparatory reading, revision and independent research).
The Total Qualification Time for this qualification is 360 hours.
Units
The Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate comprises 15 mandatory units covering all aspects of adult social care. You must complete all units to achieve the qualification.
The topics covered are:
- Understanding own role
- Personal development
- Duty of care
- Equality, diversity, inclusion and human rights
- Working in a person-centred way
- Communication
- Privacy and dignity
- Nutrition and hydration
- Awareness of mental health and dementia
- Adult safeguarding
- Safeguarding children
- Heath, safety and principles of basic life support
- Handling information
- Infection prevention and control
- Awareness of learning disabilities and autism.
We hope this glossary empowers you to navigate your Level 2 Adult Social Care Certificate journey with confidence. If you have a question about any other terminology you’ve encountered as part of your studies, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Learner Support Coordinator or mentor.
