Health, safety and wellbeing in care settings — iCan Qualifications Limited End-Point Assessment Health & Social Care Revision

    This topic provides care workers with essential knowledge and skills to promote health, safety, and wellbeing within care settings. It covers legal duties,

    Topic Synopsis

    This topic provides care workers with essential knowledge and skills to promote health, safety, and wellbeing within care settings. It covers legal duties, risk management, incident response, infection control, safe handling, and personal resilience. Learners apply these principles to protect all individuals in their care environment.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Health, safety and wellbeing in care settings

    ICAN QUALIFICATIONS LIMITED
    vocational

    This topic provides care workers with essential knowledge and skills to promote health, safety, and wellbeing within care settings. It covers legal duties, risk management, incident response, infection control, safe handling, and personal resilience. Learners apply these principles to protect all individuals in their care environment.

    7
    Learning Outcomes
    5
    Assessment Guidance
    5
    Key Skills
    6
    Key Terms
    6
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    iCQ Level 2 Diploma in Care

    Topic Overview

    The iCQ Level 2 Diploma in Care is a foundational qualification for those starting or progressing in a care role within health and social care settings. It covers the essential knowledge and skills required to provide safe, person-centred care, including understanding the principles of care, communication, safeguarding, and health and safety. This diploma is recognised by employers and regulatory bodies, making it a key stepping stone for roles such as care assistant, support worker, or healthcare assistant.

    The qualification is structured around mandatory units that address core responsibilities, such as duty of care, equality and inclusion, and the importance of continuous development. Optional units allow learners to specialise in areas like dementia care, end-of-life care, or learning disabilities. By completing this diploma, students demonstrate their competence in delivering care that respects individuals' rights, promotes independence, and adheres to legal and ethical standards.

    This diploma fits into the wider health and social care sector by providing a standardised benchmark for entry-level practitioners. It aligns with the Care Certificate and the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England. Mastery of this content ensures students are prepared for real-world challenges, from managing complex needs to working effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Person-centred care: Tailoring support to an individual's preferences, needs, and values, ensuring they are active partners in their care.
    • →Duty of care: Legal and professional obligation to act in the best interest of individuals, avoiding harm and promoting wellbeing.
    • →Safeguarding: Protecting vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, following local policies and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
    • →Effective communication: Using verbal and non-verbal techniques to build trust, respect confidentiality, and overcome barriers.
    • →Health and safety: Applying risk assessments, infection control, and moving and handling principles to maintain a safe environment.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Identify key health and safety legislation and how it applies to care settings.
    • Perform a workplace risk assessment, identifying hazards and controls.
    • Demonstrate effective hand hygiene and use of personal protective equipment.
    • Apply safe principles for moving and handling equipment and objects.
    • Explain the correct procedure for handling and storing hazardous substances.
    • Implement fire safety measures including evacuation procedures.
    • Manage own stress levels using recognized wellbeing strategies.

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for accurately referencing legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act.
    • Look for correct identification of hazards and control measures in risk assessments.
    • Check for proper infection control techniques in practical demonstrations.
    • Evidence of safe manual handling techniques, avoiding twists and overreaching.
    • Correct sequence of actions when responding to a simulated accident or illness.
    • Appropriate handling of a hazardous substance scenario, including COSHH checks.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Always refer to current legislation and guidance in your answers.
    • 💡Practice moving and handling techniques with an experienced observer to gain confidence.
    • 💡For written exams, structure risk assessment answers using a standard template.
    • 💡Use real-life scenarios to explain how you would apply principles of safety.
    • 💡Remember that managing your own stress directly impacts the quality of care you provide.
    • 💡Use specific examples from your placement or case studies to illustrate how you apply principles like dignity and respect. Examiners look for evidence of reflection and understanding of real-world application.
    • 💡Memorise key legislation (e.g., Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, Care Act 2014) and explain how it influences daily practice. Linking theory to practice shows depth of knowledge.
    • 💡When answering questions on safeguarding, always mention the importance of following policies, reporting concerns promptly, and seeking support from designated leads. Avoid vague statements like 'tell someone'.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Confusing hazard (potential source of harm) with risk (likelihood of harm).
    • Neglecting to wash hands for the recommended duration or missing areas like wrists.
    • Using improper posture when lifting, leading to increased injury risk.
    • Failing to locate emergency exits and fire assembly points in a new setting.
    • Overlooking the need for regular stress self-assessment and early intervention.
    • Misconception: 'Person-centred care means doing whatever the person wants.' Correction: It involves balancing the individual's wishes with professional judgement, safety, and legal requirements, such as capacity assessments.
    • Misconception: 'Confidentiality means never sharing information.' Correction: Information can be shared with consent or when required by law (e.g., safeguarding concerns), following the Caldicott Principles.
    • Misconception: 'Duty of care only applies to direct care tasks.' Correction: It extends to all actions, including documentation, communication, and reporting concerns, and requires accountability for omissions.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic understanding of health and social care values, such as compassion and respect.
    • •Familiarity with the Care Certificate standards, especially those on communication and equality.
    • •Some experience in a care setting (voluntary or paid) is helpful but not essential.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Duty of care and legislative compliance
    • Risk assessment and hazard control
    • Infection prevention and control
    • Safe movement and handling
    • Emergency preparedness and response
    • Personal resilience and stress management

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