• Access Duration: 12 Months
• Awarded by: NCFE CACHE
• Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 15
• Total Qualifications Time (TQT): 20
• Qualification Level: 2
• Qualification Number: 600/2540/2

• Gain an understanding of the importance of food safety and the potential risks and hazards.
• Learn about the principles of food hygiene and how to apply them in a healthcare or childcare setting.
• Learn how to identify and prevent contamination to ensure food safety.
• Learn how to store and handle food safely and how to implement effective food safety management systems.
• Understanding the importance of food labelling, the requirements for allergen management, and keeping accurate records.

• Healthcare assistants
• Support workers
• Nursery assistants
• Catering assistants
• Childminders

• The course has no formal prerequisites. Learners over the age of 14 years are eligible to take the course.

• This course can be completed through two flexible study options to suit your lifestyle:
  • Standard Course Plan (1 month) – ideal for learners balancing other commitments.
  • Fast Track Option (2 Weeks) – 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 Award requires approximately 15 guided learning hours.

T&C apply

Knowledge & Understanding: Show your understanding of essential food safety principles, including safe,food handling, storage, hygiene, and contamination control within health, social care, and early years environments.

Application to Practice: Demonstrate how you would maintain high standards of cleanliness, identify potential risks, and apply safe working practices in real-life care and childcare settings.

Awareness & Responsibility: Reflect on your role in promoting safe food environments, protecting vulnerable individuals, and supporting best practices that meet health and safety regulations.

Grading: All assessments are internally marked by South London College. You’ll receive comprehensive course materials for self-study, along with an assessment that allows you to demonstrate your understanding of all learning outcomes. To achieve the qualification, you must pass all required components.

Tutor Support: You’ll never have to study alone. Our friendly, experienced tutors are available through email, WhatsApp, online discussions, or web chat to guide you every step of the way and help you feel confident in your learning journey.

Ready to build your food safety skills?
Click ‘Enquire Now’ to connect with our team and take your first step towards a safer, more rewarding career in health, social care, or childcare.

The “NCFE CACHE Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Health and Social Care and Early Years and Childcare Settings” gives you the foundational knowledge and skills to ensure safe, hygienic food practices in care and education settings. Through this qualification, you’ll gain a clear understanding of hygiene principles, risk prevention, and safe food handling, all essential when working with young children or vulnerable individuals.

Here are some careers you could pursue, along with typical UK salaries (Source: Glassdoor):

• Healthcare Assistant – £45,000
• Nursery Assistant – £27,000
• Catering Assistant – £26,000
• Support Worker – £33,000

With this award, you can also progress to higher-level CACHE Certificates or Diplomas, taking on more specialised roles or leadership positions and boosting your earning potential over time.

The NCFE CACHE Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Health and Social Care and Early Years and Childcare Settings is designed to help you develop a solid understanding of essential food safety principles within care and education environments. This nationally recognised qualification gives you the confidence and practical knowledge to ensure the food you prepare, handle, or serve is safe, hygienic, and suitable for vulnerable individuals.

Potential Academic Progression Pathways

• Step 01: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Award in Health and Social Care
• Step 02: Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)
• Step 03: Level 4 Certificate for the Early Years Advanced Practitioner

Alternative Pathways

• Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Nutrition and Health
• Level 3 Award in Food Safety Supervision (RQF) For Catering, Manufacturing or Retail

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is a non-ministerial government department responsible for regulating qualifications, exams, and assessments in England. Ofqual ensures that all qualifications offered by recognised awarding organisations meet rigorous national standards, giving you confidence that any Ofqual-regulated certificate is high-quality and widely accepted by employers and universities.

RQF

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is the system used in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to standardise qualifications by level and size. Overseen by regulatory bodies such as Ofqual, the RQF ensures qualifications are consistent, transparent, and easily understood by learners, employers, and higher education institutions. All qualifications listed on the RQF are approved and awarded by recognised awarding organisations.