• Access Duration:  1 Year
• Awarded by: NCFE  CACHE
• Qualification Level:  Level 2
• Qualification Number: 603/2813/7
• Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 135
• Total Qualification Time (TQT): 156
• Credits: 16

• Explain what is meant by mental health, mental illness, resilience, and self-esteem.
• Mention the prevalence of mental health problems in children and young people.
• Understand the risk factors that can impact the mental health of children and adolescents.
• Explain the impact of puberty on the mental health of children and adolescents.
• Understanding signs that might concern about a child’s mental health.
• Discuss the impact of mental health problems on school and family life.
• Explain what is meant by person-centred in helping kids and teens.
• Identify a list of services and professionals who work on improving the mental health of children.

The NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health is perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about young people’s mental health, to develop their career in education, health, social care or childcare or to support their professional development.

This course is ideal for:

• Teaching Assistants
• School Support Staff
• Youth Workers
• Community Volunteers
• Childminders
• Early Years Practitioners
• Parents
• Foster Carers
• Health and Social Care Support Workers
• Career Changers
• Returning Learners
• CPD Seekers

• Learners must be at least 16 years old.
• Work experience is not needed.

• Standard Course Plan (4 months) – ideal for learners balancing other commitments.
• Fast Track Option (2 months) – perfect for those who can dedicate intensive study time.

Most learners complete within their chosen timeframe, though some may finish earlier depending on personal circumstances and available study time. We accommodate your pace with unlimited support for 12 months. This Level 2 Certificate requires approximately 135 guided learning hours.

T&C apply

• There are no formal exams at the end of the course. 
• All of the assessment work is held in a portfolio of evidence. You will need to show that you have met the learning outcomes for each unit through assignments, case studies, written and visual information, scenarios, oral questions and answers, learner work products, reflective logs or other means. 
• Assignments are marked internally by assessors at South London College, and externally verified to ensure the qualification standards are met. 
• This qualification is graded as Achieved or Not Yet Achieved. 

If you want to advance your education in the health, social care or education sectors, the NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health is a great place to start.

Next Steps for a Possible Academic Progression Pathway

• Step 1: Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Teaching and Learning
• Step 2: Level 4 Certificate for the Advanced Practitioner in Schools and Colleges
• Step 3: Foundation Degree in Education, Teaching and Learning, Childhood Studies, or a related subject

Alternative Pathways 

• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism.
• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges.
• Level 2 Certificate in Self-harm and Suicide Awareness and Prevention.
• Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills.
• Specialised CPD courses in areas such as child development, safeguarding, or trauma-informed practice.

The NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Children and Young People’s Mental Health provides you with specialist knowledge that could prepare you to gain employment within health care, education, or social care.

Here are some career opportunities you could pursue with this qualification as a foundation, along with approximate UK salaries. (Source: Glassdoor UK)

• Youth Worker – £29,000
• Teaching Assistant – £24,000
• Learning Support Assistant – £23,000
• Childminder – £23,000
• Family Support Worker – £23,000
• Nursery Assistant – £19,000
• Care Worker – £19,000

This qualification is regulated by Ofqual, the UK government’s Office for Qualifications and Examinations Regulation. Ofqual regulation ensures that the qualification meets national standards for quality, consistency, and fairness. It means the course content, assessment methods, and learning outcomes are carefully monitored, giving learners confidence that the qualification is credible, well recognised, and supports progression to further study or employment in the UK.

RQF

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is a system used in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales to categorise and regulate qualifications based on their level of difficulty and size. RQF is jointly regulated by England’s regulator Ofqual, Wales DCELLS, and Northern Ireland’s CCEA. The RQF ensures qualifications are standardised, making it easier for learners, employers, and educational institutions to understand the value and level of each qualification. The framework consists of nine levels, from Entry Level to Level 8, with each level indicating the complexity and depth of learning. For a qualification to be recognised as part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), it must be created or approved by an awarding body that is acknowledged by one of the government-appointed regulatory bodies.