Health and Social Care SVQ and Professional Training
We offer a wide range of professional qualifications designed to support registration requirements and to support Health and Social Care professionals to grow and thrive in their careers.
Whether you're just starting out or advancing into leadership, our qualifications are tailored to meet the evolving needs of the sector.
SVQ Qualifications
We offer a comprehensive range of Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) in Health and Social Care, designed to support professionals at every stage of their career. These work-based qualifications are ideal for individuals currently employed in the sector, allowing them to gain formal recognition for their skills while continuing to work.
These courses meet the registration requirements of the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) and are delivered flexibly on campus, in the workplace, or online.
PDA Qualifications
We are launching three new Professional Development Awards (PDAs) in January 2026, designed to support and strengthen the Health and Social Care workforce across Scotland. These qualifications reflect our commitment to professional excellence and sector innovation.
PDA Approaches to Trauma Informed Practice
This course is for professionals who work with individuals who have experienced trauma or are working to support the carers of individuals who have experienced trauma.
PDA Health and Social Care Supervision
This qualification meets the requirements of social service workers who are registered, or in a position to be registered, with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) in a supervisory role.
PDA Promoting Excellence in Dementia Skilled Practice
This is a qualification designed for health and social care support workers and practitioners who have direct and/or substantial contact with people with Dementia and their families and carers, to develop the knowledge and skills required to carry out their duties.
We offer industry-specific courses in Health and Social Care. We provide a range of SVQ, PDA, NPA, and soft skills courses in areas such as Counselling, Social Services, and Practical Skills.
| Course | Course Description | Course Delivery | Course Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| VR Experience Dementia Awareness | Anyone working in the care sector and caring for people with dementia would benefit from and enjoy this immersive and engaging training programme. Some prior knowledge of dementia would be beneficial before attending this course. Edinburgh College is proud to offer this VR experience combined with Dementia Awareness training to all care sectors in Scotland. |
On Campus | Half-day |
| Acquired Brain Injury | Discover what life is like for individuals with Acquired Brain Injury and learn how to communicate effectively with them. This course can be delivered as either a basic introduction or a more comprehensive Professional Learning option. | On Campus or hybrid | 1 Day Introduction or 8 weeks of Professional Learning |
| Adult Support and Protection/Safeguarding | Discover the factors that can harm vulnerable individuals in the community and learn how to protect them from harm. | On Campus | 1 Day |
| Adults with Incapacity | Learn about the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000 and what it means for those caring for adults who lack capacity. | On Campus | 1 Day |
| Dysphagia IDDSI | Learn how to enhance patient safety in care homes with Dysphagia and understand the IDDSI Framework. | On Campus | 1 Day |
| End of Life Care | Understand how to provide end-of-life care with compassion and respect, and learn how health and social care workers can become better prepared emotionally to provide this care. | On Campus or hybrid | 1 Day Introduction or 8 weeks of Professional Learning |
| Medication Management | Understand the requirements and legislation related to medication management, including safe handling, confidentiality, and the management of drugs and medication for health and care service providers. | On Campus or hybrid | 1 Day Introduction or 8 weeks of Professional Learning |
| Person Centred Care Planning | Understand the process of putting the person who receives care at the centre of their care planning, providing information to help them make decisions for themselves and collaborating with care providers. | On Campus or hybrid | 1 Day Introduction or 8 weeks of Professional Learning |
| Sepsis Awareness | Understand what sepsis is and its serious consequences if not identified and treated quickly. Learn how to recognise the early signs and know-how to raise concerns. |
On Campus or hybrid | 1 Day Introduction or 8 weeks of Professional Learning |
| Post Incident Stress Debrief | Learn about the process for dealing with the impact of stressful and traumatic events, and learn techniques for sharing experiences and how to cope with stress reactions and symptoms. |
On Campus | 1 Day |
| Record Keeping | Understand the importance of effective record keeping in health and care settings, and how this is essential to the provision of reasonable care and support. | On Campus or hybrid | 1 Day Introduction or 8 weeks of Professional Learning |
| Staff Supervision | Understand the role of the supervisor in a health and care setting, how to manage your team’s performance, and communicate goals and objectives effectively. |
On Campus or hybrid | 1 Day Introduction or 8 weeks of Professional Learning |
| Infection Prevention Control | Understand the standards of infection prevention and control to minimise the risk of infection of patients, staff and visitors to health and care settings, and how these can be continuously improved. | On Campus or hybrid | 1 Day Introduction or 8 weeks of Professional Learning |
| Manual Handling | Learn the principles of safe manual handling as a health care provider. Understand how to conduct risk assessments to prevent or mitigate the likelihood of accidents and ensure that control measures are in place. | On Campus | 1 Day |
| Menopause Awareness | Identify and understand the impact of menopause and how it can affect home, social life and work. Learn how to raise awareness of menopause in the workplace and support colleagues. | On Campus | 1 Day |
| Mental Health Awareness | Understand mental health and wellbeing in the workplace and learn how to identify signs and respond appropriately. Additional content can be created to help managers understand their roles and responsibilities. | On Campus | 1 Day |
| Train the Trainer (Moving & Handling) | Learn how to train healthcare and care workers in Moving and Handling within healthcare settings. Develop the skills required to design and deliver and evaluate training sessions. |
On Campus | Half-day |
| Trauma Informed Practice | Understand the impact of trauma on colleagues in the workplace and learn how to provide more effective support. Additional content can be made available to include how senior managers can adopt a trauma-informed approach in the workplace. | On Campus or hybrid | 1 Day Introduction or 8 weeks of Professional Learning |
Apply now
For bespoke training please contact us:
CommercialUK@edinburghcollege.ac.uk
For scheduled training view our Health Professions and Social Services courses.