Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties Level 2
- Length 12 Weeks
- Study Online Learning
- Location Online
Qualification Gained
Level 2 certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties NCFE Cache
Levels ExplainedMore about the course
Around 15% of people have a learning difficulty, which means they can find it harder to learn certain skills. If you're looking to improve your understanding and awareness of learning difficulties, this is the course for you.
You will learn about a range of specific learning difficulties, including ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia. It's great for people working in a variety of sectors, such as healthcare, social care and education.
Course information
Learning will take place via an online platform, and you will be able to learn at a time that suits you without the need to attend college.
At the start of your course, you will be allocated a tutor who will support you through your qualification, and you will be provided with all learning and assessment materials which have been specifically developed to support you in meeting the qualification requirements.
Your tutor will also provide you with written feedback on the assessments you submit, as well as ongoing support through a remote tutorial.
How often does this course run?
Start dates for this course are flexible and can be joined anytime throughout the year. Once you have made your application, one of our advisers will be in touch to discuss your preferred start date.
Entry requirements
- A good level of English is required
What will I achieve?
If you successfully complete this course, you will receive a Level 2 certificate in Understanding Specific Learning Difficulties NCFE Cache
What will I learn?
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The characteristics of ADHD, ADD, dyslexia and dyscalculia
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How specific learning difficulties can affect children and adults in different ways
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The importance of early diagnosis
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The various assessment methods available to diagnose specific learning difficulties
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How individuals can be supported to gain, start and continue with study and employment
How will I be assessed?
- Assessments
Where can I progress?
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Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour That Challenges
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Level 2 Certificate in the Principles of Working with Individuals with Learning Disabilities
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Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism
Course costs
This course is free if you are on an income related benefit, or you are on a low income (a household income of less than £25,750).
If you are 19 and over, please call our Student Services team to confirm the fee for this course. Course costs may be subject to change.
If you require information on any financial support that may be available to you with fees or study costs on this course, please contact Student Services who will be able to offer advice and assistance on accessing any financial support that may be available.
Adult Funding Changes
Due to the changes in Government funding from the 1st of August 2019, students who resident in postcodes within Merseyside and Greater Manchester may be unable to access funding from training providers and colleges in Lancashire. You may have to pay all associated course and support costs.
To check if your postcode is part of the new devolved funding legislation, please contact our Course Enquiries team for further future.
Contact the Online Learning Team
distancelearningiag@westlancs.ac.uk
01695 52419
Meet our students
Cathy
Understanding Autism Level 2As an FE teacher, I have seen more and more students coming into college with both diagnosed and undiagnosed autism, I became increasingly aware of the need to better understand autism and how to provide effective support. This was what initially attracted me to the course. At the same time, my own child was experiencing challenges which later became apparent were related to autism, making the course essential for helping me support both learners in my professional role and my child at home. My goal was to gain a deeper understanding of how autism presents and how best to help. I learned far more than I expected, not only about autistic traits and support strategies, but also about the significant role communication plays, the range of support available, and the legislation that helps protect and support individuals in the workplace. The course greatly increased my awareness of the traits and behaviours that can present challenges for young people and gave me a much more compassionate perspective. Rather than wondering why a young person might be behaving in a challenging way, I now understand that they are often finding the environment or teaching approach challenging themselves. This understanding has had a positive impact on how I support others both professionally and personally.
Paul
Awareness of Mental Health Problems Level 2Following a combined service of 36 years with the UK Fire & Rescue Service, I am now retired and in receipt of an occupational pension. Although I do not come from an academic background, my experiences inspired me to learn more and do something productive with my time to see where the journey might take me. My goals were to increase my understanding of mental health issues, learn more about myself in relation to my own experiences, challenge and stretch myself after being away from learning for a number of years, and use my new knowledge to benefit both myself and others. The course was easily accessible, simple to navigate, and the flexibility of online learning suited me perfectly. Combined with the excellent supporting resources and the exceptionally professional support and guidance provided by my tutor, Jennifer Robson, I was able to engage fully and enthusiastically throughout the programme. The course has given me a greater understanding of a range of mental health conditions and increased my awareness of my own experiences and challenges. It has inspired me to continue learning, and I am now exploring opportunities to further expand my knowledge. I am also looking into voluntary roles where I can use what I have learned to help and support others.
Billie
Counselling Skills Level 2I have become more confident in my communication and active listening skills, enabling me to build stronger therapeutic relationships with the people I support. I thoroughly enjoyed the course and found it both engaging and rewarding. It has strengthened my confidence and reinforced my interest in pursuing further counselling qualifications.
Chloe
Counselling Skills Level 3Before enrolling on this course, I had already completed a Level 2 Counselling Skills qualification through another online provider, which I successfully passed. Building on that foundation, I wanted to further develop my studies and gain a deeper understanding of key counselling skills and principles. The course helped me expand my knowledge and provided valuable insight into the mindset of a counsellor, allowing me to think more deeply about how counselling skills can be applied in a wide range of situations. The learning experience has not only strengthened my understanding of the profession but has also equipped me with transferable skills that will benefit me in any future studies or career path I choose to pursue. Overall, the course has given me greater confidence in my abilities and has supported my ongoing personal and professional development.
What can I do with a qualification in Health and Social Care?
Daily tasks:
- Assesses and advises on factors affecting business performance.
- Determines staffing levels appropriate for accounting activities.
- Plans external and internal audit programmes, arranges for the collection and analysis of accounting, budgetary and related information, and manages the company.
- Participates in the formulation of strategic and long-term business plans, assesses the implications for the organisation financial mechanisms and oversees their implementation.
Daily tasks:
- Ensures custody of all cash receipts and organises regular stock checks.
- Recruits, supervises and trains staff.
- Determines financial, staffing, material and other short- and long-term needs.
- Advises on the facilities available and promotes publicity in relation to shows, games, races, new theme parks, etc..
- Keeps abreast of new trends and developments in recreational activities and arranges exhibitions, theatrical productions, concerts, demonstrations etc..
- Ensures that facilities are kept clean and in good condition and that appropriate health and safety requirements are adhered to.
- Organises timetable of activities/schedule of programmes.
Daily tasks:
- Carries out research into aspects of the natural world.
- Prepares applications for funding to other organisations, and assessing applications for funding from other organisations.
- Promotes conservation issues via educational talks, displays, workshops and literature and liaison with the media.
- Maintains and develops knowledge in relevant policy areas within a national and European legislative context.
- Liaises with other groups in the selection and maintenance of the Protected Site System including Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), Ramsar sites, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and National Nature Reserves (NNRs).
- Provides advice and information to government at national and local levels, clients, landowners, planners and developers to facilitate the protection of the natural environment.
- Implements, evaluates and monitors schemes for the management and protection of natural habitats.
- Carries out environmental impact assessments and field surveys.
- Promotes and implements local and national biodiversity action plans, particularly with regard to threatened species and habitats.
Daily tasks:
- Provides professional guidance to clients, government agencies, regulators and other relevant bodies, having regard for sustainable approaches and solutions.
- Implements, reviews and advises on regulatory and legislative standards, guidelines and policies.
- Assists organisations to conduct their activities in an environmentally appropriate manner.
- Communicates scientific and technical information to relevant audiences in an appropriate form, via reports, workshops, educational events, public hearings.
- Carries out environmental audits and environmental impact assessments.
- Carries out environment-related desk-based research and fieldwork to collect, analyse and interpret data to determine their validity, quality and significance.
- Implements remediation works.
- Advises on and provides solutions for mitigating the effects of such contamination.
- Identifies contamination of land, air or water and assesses any adverse impact on the environment.
Daily tasks:
- Monitors the standards of scientific and technical research undertaken by the research team.
- Plans work schedules, assigns tasks and delegates responsibilities to the research and development team.
- Develops research methodology, implements and reports upon research investigations undertaken.
- Liaises with production departments to investigate and resolve manufacturing problems.
- Establishes product design and performance objectives in consultation with other business functions.
Daily tasks:
- Supervises the implementation of care and treatment plans by other healthcare providers.
- Prepares and delivers lectures, undertakes research, and conducts and participates in clinical trials.
- Refers patient to specialist where necessary and liaises with specialist.
- Supervises patient.
- Administers medical tests and inoculations against communicable diseases.
- Diagnoses condition and prescribes and/or administers appropriate treatment/surgery.
- Examines patient, arranges for any necessary x-rays or other tests and interprets results.
Daily tasks:
- Applies psychological treatment methods to help athletes achieve optimum mental health and enhance sporting performance.
- Applies professional knowledge and techniques within the workplace, addressing issues such as job design, work groups, motivation etc..
- Maintains required contacts with family members, education or other health professionals, as appropriate, and recommends possible solutions to problems presented.
- Studies psychological factors in the treatment and prevention of mental illness or emotional and personality disorders.
- Analyses the effect of hereditary, social and physical factors on thought and behaviour.
- Observes and experiments on humans and animals to measure mental and physical characteristics.
- Develops treatment and guidance methods and gives treatment or guidance using a variety of therapy and counselling techniques.
- Develops and administers tests to measure intelligence, abilities, aptitudes, etc. and assesses results.
Daily tasks:
- Ensures that drugs and medicaments are in good supply and are stored properly.
- Tests and analyses drugs to determine their identity, purity and strength.
- Liaises with other professionals regarding the development, manufacturing and testing of drugs.
- Maintains prescription files and records issue of narcotics, poisons and other habit-forming drugs.
- Checks that recommended doses are not being exceeded and that instructions are understood by patients.
- Highlights a drug.
- Advises health professionals on the selection and appropriate use of medicines.
- Prepares or directs the preparation of prescribed medicaments in liquid, powder, tablet, ointment or other form following prescriptions issued by medical doctors and other health professionals.
Daily tasks:
- Carries out research with glass and lens manufacturers.
- Refers patient to a specialist, where necessary.
- Advises patient on proper use of glasses, contact lenses and other aids, and on appropriate lighting conditions for reading and working.
- Prescribes, supplies and fits appropriate spectacle lenses, contact lenses and other aids.
- Examines eyes and tests vision of patient, identifies problems, defects, injuries and ill health.
Daily tasks:
- Prepares and delivers lectures, undertakes research, and conducts and participates in clinical trials.
- Maintains patients.
- Refers patient to specialist, where necessary.
- Educates patients on oral health care.
- Supervises patient.
- Constructs and fits braces, inlays, dentures and other appliances.
- Carries out clinical treatments, restores teeth affected by decay etc., treats gum disease and other disorders.
- Administers local anaesthetics.
- Assesses and recommends treatment options to patients.
- Examines patient.
News
Upcoming events
October Open Event
West Lancashire College
Monday 12th October 2026
4:30pm - 7:00pm
November Open Event
West Lancashire College
Thursday 19th November 2026
4:30pm - 7:00pm
February Open Event
West Lancashire College
Monday 1st February 2027
4:30pm - 7:00pm
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