Importance of Health and Social Care

Health and social care play a vital role in society, supporting people at every stage of life and ensuring they can live with dignity, independence, and well-being. From caring for children and families to supporting older adults and those with complex needs, these services do much more than treat illness; they promote prevention, support inclusion, and aim to improve quality of life. By working together, health and social care professionals help reduce inequality, protect the most vulnerable, and strengthen communities, making them essential to a compassionate, resilient society.

Our Offer

As an awarding organisation, Skills and Education Group Awards is proud to offer a comprehensive and growing portfolio of health and social care qualifications designed to meet the needs of the sector. Our Product Development team works closely with sector experts to ensure each qualification is fit for purpose, up to date, and aligned with professional standards. We are delighted to have recently gained approval from the Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC), the only awarding organisation to achieve this, with approval from CCEA also pending.

The Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the social care workforce in Northern Ireland, including many professionals who work closely within educational settings, such as classroom assistants, early years practitioners, and support staff. Its role is to establish and uphold professional standards, maintain a register of qualified workers, and promote ongoing training and development to ensure safe, high-quality practice. NISCC is vital for the education sector because it helps safeguard children and young people, supports consistency and professionalism among staff, and strengthens collaboration between education and social care; ultimately creating safer, more supportive learning environments where pupils can thrive.

Skills and Education Group Awards offer a range of health and social care qualifications, some specifically developed for Northern Ireland, complete with clear progression routes to support learners at every stage of their career. Our sector offer will continue to expand, with new progression routes already in development. By choosing to deliver qualifications through Skills and Education Group Awards, training providers can be confident they are offering high-quality, sector-recognised programmes that support workforce development and learner success across health and social care.

Become an approved Training Provider

We understand the vital role that training providers play in the health and social care sector, equipping learners with the knowledge, skills, and values needed to deliver high-quality, effective care. Robust training ensures practitioners are grounded in legislation, safeguarding, and best practice, while developing the practical and interpersonal skills essential for supporting diverse needs. By staying closely aligned with sector standards, training providers build a confident, competent workforce capable of improving the quality of care.

At Skills and Education Group Awards, we are here to support you in delivering this excellence. When you join us, you gain more than just an Awarding Organisation; you gain a partner dedicated to your success. Our high-level, personal approach to customer service ensures you are never just a number, and your dedicated Relationship Manager will be on hand to provide the tailored guidance and support you need to thrive.

Get in touch to become an approved Training Provider and start delivering Skills and Education Group Awards, Health and Social Care qualifications.

Contact us at BGandM@skillsedugroup.co.uk, or if you are an existing Centre looking to expand your provision, please contact your Relationship Manager.

Switching Awarding Organisations?

Switching made simple with a dedicated Business Growth Manager to support you throughout the application, approval and onboarding.

Coming Soon!

From September 2026, we are excited to introduce a streamlined Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care, created by combining BIIAB’s Adult Management and Adult Residential Management pathways into one comprehensive qualification. This unified diploma offers greater flexibility, broader sector relevance, and enhanced career progression opportunities, equipping learners with the skills and knowledge needed to lead effectively across a range of adult health and social care settings in Northern Ireland.