Specialist Courses
Coursetopia has an array of regulated short courses in health and social care, which can help you to demonstrate essential training necessary when delivering specialist services to your end users. These short health and social care courses will give your care workers the knowledge and understanding of key specialist areas associated with supporting people with dementia, learning disabilities, mental health, autism, and behaviour management.
Why Complete These Regulated Short Courses?
These short courses might assist you with your application with the CQC when they ask for the training your care workers have. They might also help with Ofsted applications when they ask for the training your care or support workers have undertaken. We encourage you to complete courses that have a component of face-to-face delivery and are also regulated by an awarding body. All our short courses are recognised by Ofqual and are on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and will come with credits.
Our Specialist Courses
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Level 3
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Level 3 Award in Independent Advocacy for Children (RQF)
The Level 3 Award in Independent Advocacy for Children is to give learners the opportunity to demonstrate achievement of the knowledge, skills, and understanding required to provide high quality independent advocacy support to children.
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Level 3
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Level 3 Award in Mediation Skills (RQF)
The Level 3 Award in Mediation Skills is designed to recognise the development of knowledge, understanding, and competent application of mediation skills.
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Level 2
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NOCN Level 2 Award in Substance Misuse for Health and Social Care (RQF)
Equip yourself with the knowledge and understanding required to support individuals affected by substance misuse within health and social care settings. 11 credits.
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Level 2
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NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Dementia Care (RQF)
Increase awareness and understanding of dementia, including its causes, symptoms, and the importance of person-centred care approaches. 18 credits, 156 GLH.
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Level 2
Online
NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities (RQF)
Develop the knowledge and understanding required to support individuals with learning disabilities in a person-centred and empowering way. 18 credits.
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Level 2
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NOCN Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of End of Life Care (RQF)
Develop the knowledge to provide compassionate end of life care, supporting individuals and their families during this difficult time. 16 credits, 6 mandatory units.
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Level 2
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NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism (RQF)
Develop foundational knowledge and understanding of autism, including person-centred support, communication, and sensory differences. 20 credits, 172 GLH.
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Level 2
Online
OCN NI Level 2 Award in Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Young People (RQF)
Develop practical strategies for understanding and managing challenging behaviour in children and young people, including de-escalation and positive behaviour support. 2 credits.
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Level 1
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NOCN Level 1 Award in Behaviour Management (Aggression) (RQF)
Learn practical, person-centred approaches to understanding and managing aggressive behaviour in care and support settings. 1 credit, 7 GLH.
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Level 2
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NOCN Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines (RQF)
Develop practical knowledge and confidence to handle medicines safely in health and social care settings, including administration, record-keeping, and legislation. 14 credits, 120 GLH.
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Comparing the Specialist Courses
| Qualification | Price | Level | Credits | GLH | TQT | Duration | Awarding body |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Advocacy for Children | £300 | Level 3 | 3 | 22 | 30 hours | 1 to 6 weeks | Not stated |
| Mediation Skills | £350 | Level 3 | 9 | 63 | 90 hours | 4 to 15 weeks | Not stated |
| Substance Misuse for Health and Social Care | £315 | Level 2 | 11 | 110 | 110 hours | 4 to 12 weeks | NOCN |
| Principles of Dementia Care | £315 | Level 2 | 18 | 156 | 180 hours | 6 to 16 weeks | NOCN |
| Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities | £315 | Level 2 | 18 | 150 | 180 hours | 6 to 16 weeks | NOCN |
| Principles of End of Life Care | £315 | Level 2 | 16 | 138 | 160 hours | 6 to 16 weeks | NOCN |
| Understanding Autism | £315 | Level 2 | 20 | 172 | 200 hours | 6 to 16 weeks | NOCN |
| Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Young People | £150 | Level 2 | 2 | 16 | 20 hours | 2 to 6 weeks | OCN NI |
| Behaviour Management (Aggression) | £75 | Level 1 | 1 | 7 | 10 hours | 1 to 4 weeks | NOCN |
| Understanding Safe Handling of Medicines | £315 | Level 2 | 14 | 120 | 140 hours | 4 to 12 weeks | NOCN |
These ten cover distinct specialist topics rather than being alternatives to each other, most learners will pick whichever matches a specific area of their role. Independent Advocacy for Children stands apart from the other nine: it's the only one requiring an Enhanced DBS check, at least 2 years' relevant experience, and existing Level 2 Safeguarding training, all others are open to anyone with basic numeracy, literacy and IT skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 courses here?
Behaviour Management (Aggression) is the only Level 1 course, a short, entry-level introduction with no formal requirements. Most of the specialist certificates, dementia care, learning disabilities, end of life care, autism, safe handling of medicines, substance misuse, and Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Young People, sit at Level 2. Independent Advocacy for Children and Mediation Skills are the two Level 3 courses, and go into more depth accordingly.
Do I need experience to take the Independent Advocacy for Children course?
Yes, more than any other course on this page. You'll need to be 18 or over, hold an Enhanced DBS check, have at least 2 years' relevant professional experience in children's health, education, or social care, and already hold at least Level 2 Safeguarding training. None of the other specialist courses here ask for anything beyond basic numeracy, literacy and IT skills.
What's the difference between Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Young People and Behaviour Management (Aggression)?
Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Young People is specific to working with children and young people. Behaviour Management (Aggression) is broader and not age-specific, and sits at Level 1 rather than Level 2, making it the more general, entry-level option of the two.
Will these courses help with a CQC or Ofsted application?
They're designed to help demonstrate staff training in these specialist areas, which can support a CQC or Ofsted application. Completing a course is evidence of training, though, not a guarantee of a particular outcome, CQC and Ofsted assess the whole application and your service's practice, not just individual course certificates.
Which awarding body issues these qualifications?
Most of these courses are issued by NOCN. Managing Challenging Behaviour in Children and Young People is issued by OCN NI. Independent Advocacy for Children and Mediation Skills don't name a specific body on their own pages beyond being Ofqual-regulated. Contact us if you need to know exactly which body a specific qualification sits under.
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