Social Services (Care): HNC

What you will learn

You’ll study a range of integrated subjects designed to help you develop the knowledge, confidence, and professionalism needed to provide effective and compassionate care.

Key areas include:

• Care in Contemporary Society – explore how policy, values and attitudes influence modern care practice.
• Health, Wellbeing and Safeguarding – understand physical and emotional wellbeing, protection, and risk management.
• Lifespan Development: Theoretical Approaches – examine how people grow, learn, and change throughout life.
• Leadership Starts with Me – develop leadership skills and personal accountability in care roles.
• Understanding Loss and the Process of Grief – support people through change, bereavement and emotional trauma.
• Understanding and Supporting Behaviour – learn strategies to respond positively to challenging behaviour.
• Mental Health Issues in a Care Setting – recognise and respond to mental health needs compassionately.
• Care Practice & Graded Unit – apply learning through practical projects and reflective assessment.
• SVQ Units (x3) – gain workplace-relevant skills and understanding of professional care standards.

You’ll learn through tutorials, discussions, simulations, and placement practice, with assessment methods including essays, reports, presentations, exams, and observations.

Entry requirements

✅ Successful completion of NC Health and Social Care (Level 6), including placement experience

✅ OR significant experience working in the care sector

✅ OR Higher English (Grade C or above) or Communication at SCQF Level 5/6 with limited care experience

Additional requirements:

• You must show evidence of personal values, empathy, and professional suitability for care work.
• You must demonstrate experience in care, either through paid or voluntary work.
• You must complete a PVG Scheme application from Disclosure Scotland before placement.

Your personal statement should include:

• Why you wish to study social care.
• The type of service or care setting you’d like to work in — and why.
• Details of any care or volunteering experience, and what you learned from it.
• The challenges you expect to face while studying and how you’ll manage them.
• The skills and attributes that make you suited to this field.
• Why anti-discriminatory practice is vital in care.
• Why SSSC registration is important for care workers.

ℹ️ You must be 16 years or older at the start of the course.

ℹ️ For this course, if English is not your first language

• you need to have SQA ESOL Higher (or equivalent, click here to see equivalent qualifications)

• If you do not have a formal ESOL qualification but your language skills meet this level, you should apply for your course and then contact our Admissions team to organise an internal language assessment  here at the College.

Career Opportunities

The HNC Social Services is a highly regarded qualification that can lead directly into paid employment across a wide range of settings, including:

💬 Mental Health Services

🏠 Residential and Day Care

🌈 Learning Disability Support

💙 Addiction and Recovery Services

👶 Child and Family Support

⚖️ Criminal Justice and Community Care

Graduates are eligible to register with the SSSC, meeting national standards for care practice and progression.

Future prospects

Graduates may progress to:

• BA/Diploma in Education and Social Services (delivered jointly by Glasgow Kelvin College and the University of Strathclyde)
• Degree-level study in areas such as Social Work, Mental Health Nursing, Learning Disability Nursing, or Social Sciences
• Further study or employment in Community Development, Social Policy, Psychology, or Education

This HNC provides a respected qualification and a clear pathway into Scotland’s diverse and rewarding social services profession.