Ofqual-regulated
Level 2 Diploma in Care
Entry pathway into adult social care — Ofqual-regulated, fully online.
From £950 · 6 or 9 months
View courseSouth West England
Health and Social Care Courses in Plymouth
Ofqual-regulated Level 3 Diploma — study online from Plymouth
Health and Social Care in Plymouth
Plymouth is one of England's most significant naval and maritime cities, and its health and social care sector reflects this — with a notably high proportion of veterans requiring specialised health and care support. University Hospitals Plymouth operates Derriford Hospital, the largest hospital in the South West peninsula. Plymouth City Council has declared a 'social care crisis' and is actively funding workforce development to address staffing shortfalls.
Plymouth City Council actively funding care workforce development grants
Derriford Hospital is the largest hospital in the South West peninsula
Care Worker Salaries in Plymouth (South West England)
| Role | Typical pay |
|---|---|
| Care Worker | £10.42–£11.70/hr |
| Senior Care Worker | £12.20–£13.50/hr |
| Care Home Manager | £27,500–£37,000/year |
Source: Skills for Care Workforce Intelligence, 2024/25
NHS and Care Employers in Plymouth
Our Level 3 Diploma is recognised by University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (Derriford Hospital) and by Plymouth City Council Adult Social Care for adult social care roles. Employers across South West England specify Level 3 as the standard qualification for career progression.
Popular courses for Plymouth learners
All programmes are Ofqual-regulated, assignment-based and fully online.
Ofqual-regulated
Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care
The standard qualification for senior care and NHS band 3 progression.
From £950 · 6 or 9 months
View courseOfqual-regulated
Level 4 Diploma in Health and Social Care
Advance into supervisory practice and higher-responsibility care roles.
From £950 · 6 or 9 months
View courseOfqual-regulated
Level 5 Diploma in Health and Social Care Management
Management and leadership for care coordinators and aspiring managers.
From £950 · 6 or 9 months
View courseFrequently Asked Questions — Plymouth
Does Plymouth City Council offer any grants for care workers doing this course? ▼
Plymouth's Adult Social Care workforce development budget includes learning bursaries for Plymouth residents working in social care. Availability varies annually — contact Plymouth City Council's workforce team or our admissions office for current schemes.
Is there specialist support for caring for veterans in this course? ▼
Our Level 3 Diploma includes a unit on personalised care that covers complex needs, including veteran-specific health conditions. Plymouth's Op COURAGE NHS pathway team can advise on further specialist veteran care training.
How many care homes are there in Plymouth to work in after qualifying? ▼
Plymouth has over 75 registered care homes and dozens of supported living providers, creating substantial local employment for qualified workers. Most Plymouth employers actively prefer Level 3 qualified applicants.