Health & Social Care

    Awarding Body for the Built Environment
    Vocational

    Specification: 603/7774/4

    The AWARDING-BODY-FOR-THE-BUILT-ENVIRONMENT Vocational Health & Social Care specification covers 37 topics with 73 learning objectives (603/7774/4). Use the topic browser below to explore subtopics, exam tips, common mistakes, and key terminology for each area of the course.

    This subject will help you develop key knowledge and skills required for exam success.

    37

    Units

    73

    Learning Outcomes

    145

    Assessment Guidance

    156

    Key Skills

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    Key Features

    • Master key concepts
    • Develop exam technique
    • Apply knowledge effectively

    Common Exam Mistakes

    Pitfalls to avoid in your exams

    • •Failing to check for danger before approaching the casualty, compromising personal safety.
    • •Performing abdominal thrusts on a choking casualty who is able to cough effectively.
    • •Removing an embedded object from a wound instead of stabilising it and seeking medical help.
    • •Forgetting to monitor the casualty’s airway and breathing regularly after initial assessment.
    • •Applying a tourniquet as a first response for bleeding instead of direct pressure.
    • •Confusing duty of care with imposing personal beliefs or restricting an individual's autonomy without proper risk assessment.
    • •Failing to recognise that dilemmas require balancing rights and safety, not simply prioritising one over the other, leading to inadequate documentation of decision-making.
    • •Overlooking the need to inform individuals of their right to complain and how to access advocacy support, thereby missing opportunities for timely resolution.

    Top Examiner Tips

    Expert advice for exam success

    • •Always verbalise your actions clearly during practical assessments, explaining what you are doing and why.
    • •Prioritise life-threatening conditions first: unresponsiveness, then breathing issues, then bleeding.
    • •Familiarise yourself with the latest Resuscitation Council UK guidelines, as these form the basis of correct procedures.
    • •In scenario-based assessments, don't rush; take a moment to assess the scene and plan your approach safely.
    • •Use real or simulated practice scenarios to demonstrate how you would assess capacity and involve the individual in decisions, showing adherence to the Mental Capacity Act where relevant.
    • •When addressing complaints, structure your answer around the stages: listening, acknowledging, investigating, responding, and learning, and reference your setting's policy.
    • •Highlight the role of effective communication, record-keeping, and partnership with colleagues and other professionals in managing both dilemmas and complaints.
    • •Always verbally state safety checks and hazards before any practical demonstration; this is a critical assessment criteria.

    Qualification Units

    37 units

    How this qualification is graded

    Vocational qualifications are marked against criteria, not an exam percentage. Each unit is assessed across three bands - build up from Pass by applying your knowledge to realistic workplace scenarios.

    Pass

    Accurately describe and explain the core knowledge for the unit and link it to the given scenario.

    Merit

    Apply and analyse that knowledge in detail, showing why it matters in the workplace context.

    Distinction

    Evaluate and justify decisions, weigh up alternatives and make well-reasoned professional recommendations.

    Emergency First Aid in the Workplace

    This subtopic covers the essential immediate care procedures a first aider must perform in a workplace emergency until professional help arrives. It focuses on safe assessment, prompt action for life-threatening conditions like unconsciousness, choking, severe bleeding, and shock, as well as managing minor injuries. Mastery ensures compliance with health and safety legislation and the ability to preserve life, prevent worsening, and promote recovery.

    ABBE Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work, ABBE Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work

    2 learning outcomes18 guidance points2 criteria

    1. Understand working relationships in care settings 2. Be able to work in ways that are agreed with the employer 3. Be able to work in partnership with others

    This subtopic explores the legal and ethical obligations of a healthcare support worker in maternity settings, focusing on the duty of care to ensure safe practice. It examines how to balance an individual's rights and choices with professional responsibilities, and provides a structured approach to handling complaints effectively. Learners will gain essential skills to uphold safety, dignity, and partnership working within care environments.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    Maintaining quality standards in the health sector

    This subtopic explores the principles and practices of maintaining high-quality care within maternity services, including adhering to legislation such as the Health and Social Care Act, working collaboratively with the multidisciplinary team, monitoring quality through audits and feedback, and prioritising tasks to mitigate risks to mothers and babies. Learners will develop skills to apply these standards in real-world settings to ensure safe and effective care.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    Promote health, safety and well-being in care settings

    This subtopic focuses on the essential health, safety, and well-being practices specific to maternity care settings. It covers legal responsibilities, risk management, infection control, safe handling of patients and substances, emergency response, security, and stress reduction. Learners develop competence to protect mothers, babies, and staff within a holistic care environment.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes10 guidance points

    Person-centred practice, choice and independence

    This subtopic explores the integration of person-centred practice within maternity support, emphasising how healthcare support workers can uphold an individual's preferences, cultural needs, and personal goals throughout the perinatal journey. It examines the critical role of promoting autonomy and enabling informed decision-making, while balancing safe practice through dynamic risk assessments. Mastery of this element ensures that care plans are co-produced and that the woman and her family remain at the heart of all support activities.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    Promote person-centred approaches in care settings

    This subtopic focuses on embedding person-centred values in maternity care, ensuring that the woman is an active partner in all decisions about her care journey. It equips learners with skills to promote dignity, respect, and individual choice throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal support, enhancing maternal and neonatal outcomes.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    Promote personal development in care settings

    This element focuses on enabling healthcare support workers in maternity settings to take responsibility for their own professional growth. It covers understanding the competence standards required for the role, systematically reflecting on and evaluating personal practice, and constructing a structured personal development plan. Effective implementation leads to safer, more person-centred care and continuous alignment with regulatory requirements such as the Care Certificate and NICE guidelines.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    Provide advice and information to enable parents to promote the health and well-being of their newborn babies

    This element equips healthcare support workers with the knowledge and skills to provide evidence-based advice to parents, promoting optimal health and well-being for newborn babies. It covers essential areas such as feeding, safe sleep, infection prevention, and recognising signs of illness, underpinned by current legislation and national guidelines. The practical application involves effective communication strategies to empower parents in making informed, person-centred choices for their baby's care.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    Responsibilities of a care worker

    Care workers must understand their working relationships, follow agreed ways of working, and collaborate with partners. This topic covers professional boundaries and teamwork in care settings.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    Promote Health, Safety and Wellbeing in Care Settings

    This unit equips maternity support workers with essential knowledge and skills to maintain a safe and healthy environment for mothers, newborns, and colleagues. It covers legal responsibilities, accident response, infection prevention, safe handling, hazardous substance control, fire safety, security, and stress management, all critical for high-quality care in maternity settings. Learners will apply these principles to real-world scenarios, ensuring compliance with legislation and promoting wellbeing.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    9 learning outcomes9 guidance points

    Study skills for Senior Healthcare Support Workers

    This element develops the essential study skills required by Senior Healthcare Support Workers in maternity settings to undertake an extended piece of work, such as a service improvement project or case study. It covers how to apply investigatory techniques, plan research, gather and analyse evidence from practice, and present findings professionally. These skills support evidence-based practice and continuous professional development in the healthcare environment.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes9 guidance points

    Support individuals with feeding babies

    This element equips healthcare support workers with the knowledge and skills to safely and respectfully support parents and carers with feeding babies, ensuring adherence to legislation, guidelines, and evidence-based practice. It covers bottle-feeding and breastfeeding support, communication techniques, and infection control, emphasizing individualized care and safeguarding. Mastery of these skills is essential for promoting infant health and parental confidence in maternity settings.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    Support parents or carers to interact with and care for their newborn baby

    This subtopic focuses on the essential role of the maternity support worker in enabling parents or carers to confidently interact with, care for, and bond with their newborn. It covers the theoretical understanding of relevant legislation and best practice, as well as the practical skills needed to support feeding, hygiene, safety, and emotional attachment. Effective practice ensures that families feel empowered and that the newborn's physical and emotional needs are met within a safe and nurturing environment.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    Provide support to manage pain and discomfort

    This element focuses on the holistic management of pain and discomfort experienced by women during the maternity period, encompassing antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal stages. It equips learners with the knowledge and skills to apply evidence-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, while emphasising the importance of personalised care, communication, and accurate documentation. The practical application involves supporting midwives and other professionals to reduce pain, enhance comfort, and ensure the woman's dignity and wellbeing are maintained throughout her care journey.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    6 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    The principles of infection prevention and control

    This element focuses on the essential principles and practices for preventing and controlling infections within maternity healthcare settings. It equips healthcare support workers with the knowledge of statutory regulations, risk assessment, standard precautions, and the correct use of personal protective equipment to safeguard mothers, newborns, and healthcare staff from healthcare-associated infections.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    Responsibilities of a Senior Healthcare Support Worker

    This subtopic focuses on the critical role of a senior healthcare support worker in safeguarding the welfare of mothers and babies within maternity settings. It encompasses an advanced understanding of health and safety legislation, risk assessment, and the practical application of infection control measures. Learners will explore their own direct responsibilities, the boundaries of their role in emergency situations, and the importance of effective interprofessional communication to maintain a safe care environment.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    4 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    Safeguarding and protection in care settings

    This subtopic explores the critical principles and practices of safeguarding adults within maternity care settings. Learners will examine how to identify, respond to, and prevent abuse, while also understanding the legal frameworks and multi-agency responsibilities that protect vulnerable individuals. Practical application includes recognising signs of abuse, reporting procedures, and implementing strategies to reduce risks in care environments.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    7 learning outcomes10 guidance points

    Understand mental health problems

    This subtopic explores the range of mental health conditions commonly experienced during the perinatal period, including postpartum depression, anxiety, and psychosis, emphasising their recognition and management within a maternity support role. It addresses the profound impact of these conditions on the individual’s emotional and physical wellbeing, as well as the strain on relationships with partners, infants, and the wider family. Practical application centres on support workers’ roles in observing, reporting, and offering compassionate, non-judgemental care to promote recovery and safeguarding.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes10 guidance points

    Recognition and Management of Illness and Injury in the Workplace

    This element equips learners with the essential skills to conduct a secondary survey and manage a wide range of workplace injuries and illnesses, including fractures, spinal trauma, burns, poisoning, and anaphylaxis. Emphasis is placed on systematic assessment, immediate life-saving interventions, and the correct prioritisation of casualties until professional help arrives.

    ABBE Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work

    1 learning outcomes14 guidance points

    Anatomy and physiology for maternity support worker

    This subtopic provides the foundational knowledge of the female reproductive system, breast anatomy, and the physiological adaptations occurring during pregnancy, essential for safe and effective maternity care. Learners must be able to relate structural components to their functions and understand how these change to support fetal development, birth, and infant feeding. Mastery of this content enables a maternity support worker to recognise normal processes, identify deviations, and communicate effectively with the multidisciplinary team and women in their care.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    Understand mental well-being and mental health promotion

    This subtopic explores the multifaceted nature of mental well-being and mental health within maternity care, examining diverse perspectives (e.g., biomedical, social, and positive psychology models) and the biopsychosocial factors influencing maternal mental health across the perinatal period. It equips learners with the knowledge to promote mental well-being effectively, enabling them to implement tailored, evidence-based support strategies for individuals and groups in healthcare settings.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes7 guidance points

    Service improvement within the health sector

    This subtopic focuses on the principles and practices of continuous quality improvement in maternity healthcare support. It equips learners with the skills to critically evaluate personal and team performance, propose evidence-based enhancements, and collaboratively implement changes to service delivery. Ultimately, it aims to foster a culture of reflective practice and proactive service development to improve client outcomes and safety.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    6 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    Unit 9 – Safeguarding and protection in care settings

    This unit provides essential knowledge on safeguarding adults in care settings, focusing on the maternity context. Learners explore principles, signs of abuse, reporting procedures, and local/national frameworks to reduce harm and ensure safety. Practical application includes recognising unsafe practices and promoting online safety for vulnerable individuals.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes10 guidance points

    Understand Mental Ill Health

    This subtopic develops understanding of mental ill health within maternity support, covering common perinatal conditions, their effects on mothers, babies, and families, and the care worker's role in identifying deterioration, assessing mental capacity, and managing risks. It equips learners to apply this knowledge in person-centred care, safeguarding, and multi-agency referral pathways.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    5 learning outcomes5 guidance points

    Undertake Physiological Measurements

    This subtopic equips learners with the skills to measure vital signs and other physiological parameters accurately in maternity care settings. It covers legal requirements, practical techniques, and the importance of precise record-keeping to ensure safe and effective patient care. Mastery of these measurements is crucial for monitoring maternal and fetal wellbeing during pregnancy, labour, and postnatal periods.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    5 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    Care for a newborn baby

    This element equips learners with the essential knowledge and skills to provide safe, holistic care for newborn infants in a maternity setting. It emphasises compliance with legislation and guidelines, and the ability to meet physical, social, emotional, and developmental needs through practical care routines.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    Causes and spread of infection

    This subtopic explores the biological agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) that cause infections, with emphasis on those relevant to maternity settings such as Group B Streptococcus and MRSA. It also examines transmission routes—contact, droplet, airborne—and the role of healthcare workers in breaking the chain of infection. Understanding these principles is critical for protecting vulnerable mothers and newborns from healthcare-associated infections.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    Communicate with individuals about promoting their health and wellbeing

    This subtopic develops learners' competence in communicating with individuals to promote health and wellbeing within maternity support. It explores the interplay between lifestyle, health, and wellbeing, and the factors that influence these, enabling learners to engage in sensitive, person-centred conversations. Practical skills include assessing readiness to change, providing tailored health information, and encouraging positive health behaviours in expectant and new mothers.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes10 guidance points

    Contribute to Monitoring the Health of Individuals Affected by Health Conditions

    This element focuses on the healthcare support worker's role in monitoring the health of individuals, with specific application to maternity care. It covers the knowledge and practical skills required to accurately observe, record, and report physical and physiological changes in pregnant, labouring, and postnatal women and their babies, ensuring timely escalation of any deviations from normal. The content emphasizes safe practice, effective communication, and person-centred care within the scope of the support role.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes9 guidance points

    Cleaning, decontamination and waste management

    This subtopic focuses on the critical practices of cleaning, decontamination, and waste management within a maternity healthcare setting, ensuring a safe environment for mothers, newborns, and staff. It covers the systematic approaches required to prevent healthcare-associated infections, maintain hygiene standards, and comply with regulatory requirements. Learners will apply these principles to real-world scenarios, demonstrating competence in infection control and resource management.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes9 guidance points

    Develop and agree individualised care plans for babies and families

    Developing individualised care plans for babies and families in the first year of life involves a systematic, collaborative process underpinned by current legislation, national guidelines, and evidence-based practice. Practitioners must holistically assess physical, emotional, social, and environmental factors, working in partnership with parents/carers to create mutually agreed, person-centred goals that promote infant health, safety, and family well-being.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    Duty of care in care settings

    This element focuses on understanding the legal and professional obligations of duty of care within maternity healthcare support, ensuring that practice prioritises the safety and wellbeing of both mother and baby. It explores how to manage balancing individual rights—such as birth preferences—with professional responsibility, and the importance of transparent, compassionate communication when responding to concerns or incidents. Learners must demonstrate the ability to recognise, report, and learn from adverse events, errors, and near misses to uphold safe, evidence-based care.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    Promote communication in care settings

    This subtopic explores the pivotal role of communication in maternity care settings, focusing on how healthcare support workers can facilitate person-centred dialogue. It addresses the legal and ethical imperative to tailor interactions to individual needs, overcome obstacles such as language or sensory impairments, and strictly uphold confidentiality. Learners will develop practical skills to enhance safety, build trust, and ensure compliance with professional standards.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes8 guidance points

    Promote effective handling of information in care settings

    This element focuses on the legal, ethical, and practical frameworks governing information management in maternity care settings. Learners explore data protection legislation, confidentiality, and secure record-keeping, and develop skills to implement best practice and mentor colleagues in upholding information standards. Effective handling of information is critical to safeguarding maternal and neonatal wellbeing and maintaining public trust.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes6 guidance points

    Effective communication in care settings

    Effective communication in maternity care settings is fundamental to delivering person-centred support to women, birthing people, and their families. It encompasses verbal, non-verbal, and written methods, tailored to individual needs, preferences, and circumstances, while ensuring confidentiality and enabling individuals to express informed choices. Maternity support workers must adapt communication to diverse cultural backgrounds, languages, and sensory impairments, and collaborate with independent advocates when necessary to uphold rights and quality of care.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes9 guidance points

    Promote equality and inclusion in care settings

    This subtopic focuses on embedding diversity, equality, and inclusion into maternity care settings. It requires learners to not only understand the legal and ethical frameworks but also to actively demonstrate inclusive practices and champion these principles when supporting individuals through maternity-related healthcare. The practical application involves adapting care to meet the unique cultural, physical, and emotional needs of each person, ensuring dignity and respect throughout the care journey.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes5 guidance points

    Maintain Infection prevention and control in a care setting

    This subtopic focuses on the critical role of healthcare support workers in preventing and controlling infections within maternity care settings. It covers understanding the chain of infection, standard and transmission-based precautions, and the practical application of measures such as hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment, safe handling of sharps and waste, and environmental decontamination, all tailored to protecting vulnerable mothers and newborns from healthcare-associated infections.

    ABBE Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare Support (Maternity)

    1 learning outcomes11 guidance points

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    Awarding Body for the Built Environment Vocational Health & Social Care