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- Understanding the Principles of Dementia Care
Understanding the Principles of Dementia Care
Level
3
15–25 weeks
Want to deepen your knowledge of dementia care and take your support skills to a more advanced level?
Our NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding the Principles of Dementia Care gives you a comprehensive understanding of dementia and its effects. You’ll explore various types of dementia, how early diagnosis makes a difference, the role of medication, and advanced approaches in dementia care especially around communication, interaction, inclusion, and the wellbeing of individuals.
Understanding these principles is vital if you work, or aspire to work, in health or social care. With around 850,000 people currently living with dementia in the UK and this number rising, this qualification helps you support individuals with dignity, enhance the quality of care, and progress professionally.
Eligibility criteria
You must be either unemployed or in employment but earning below the low wage threshold of £25,750 or are aged 19–23 with a prior attainment below level 3 to be eligible to undertake this free online course.
*Other eligibility criteria may apply
Course title: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Certificate in Understanding the Principles of Dementia Care
Course ref: 603/0196/X
This qualification helps you:
- Describe the different types of dementia and explain the importance of early diagnosis
- Demonstrate understanding of person-centred approaches in dementia care
- Explain the role of communication, interaction, and inclusion in supporting individuals with dementia
- Recognise how medication may be used to support individuals with dementia
- Apply underpinning knowledge of dementia care to support your role in, or progression towards, employment in the health and social care sector
- Unit 1: Understanding dementia
- Unit 2: Understand how person-centred approaches are used to underpin the care and support of individuals with dementia
- Unit 3: Principles of communication and interaction in dementia care and support
- Unit 4: Supporting positive interaction, occupation and activity in dementia care
- Unit 5: Principles of equality, diversity and inclusion in dementia care and support
- Unit 6: Understand how to support individuals with dementia to exercise choice and rights
- Unit 7: Principles of the administration of medication and well-being of individuals with dementia
No exams required — you'll complete assessment activities that demonstrate your knowledge and skills.
Successful learners often progress to:
- Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to work in Adult Social Care
- Level 3 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care
- Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults) for England
This course is also a great step toward careers in:
- Dementia Support Worker
- Senior Healthcare Assistant
- Residential Care Worker
- Community Support Worker
- Volunteer roles
This course may be fully funded through the Adult Skills Fund if not we have self-funding options available.
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Achieve a nationally recognised NCFE qualification.
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Expert guidance every step of the way.
Achieve in as little as 15–25 weeks
By committing 5–10 hours per week.
It has given me the confidence to develop my business. It has also affirmed what I already knew which is really helpful for my confidence.
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Adult Skills Fund
This course may be fully funded through the Adult Skills Fund if not we have self-funding options available.
Use this search tool to check funding in your area.
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Eligibility Criteria:
- Aged 19 or over as of 31/8/25
- Living in England
- Not currently enrolled on any other government funded course or started another application for one
Please note: Not all areas of England are funded. You can use our postcode checker above to see if you are.
The most likely reason is that you live in a postcode area that we do not currently deliver funded courses in, but we do have a self-funded route. Please contact our customer service team to discuss via 0115 959 9544 or complete the contact form below.
Of course! We have options available to self-fund courses. Details can be found on each course page.
Level 2 courses typically take up to 10 weeks and Level 3 courses 15–25 weeks.
You will need to commit 5–10 hours study time each week to meet the course unit deadlines.
Yes – your qualification will be nationally recognised accreditation by NCFE CACHE and you will receive a certificate.
Once you've signed up, we'll check your details. As soon as everything is approved, your course will be unlocked. You'll get an automatic email to let you know it's ready. After that your tutor will send you a welcome email. They'll also invite you to a masterclass where you can meet them and get started.
Absolutely. Our courses can be offered via the adult skills fund if eligible, if not we have lots of options available to self-fund courses. Details can be found on each course page.