Animal Care Level 2

BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care

This study programme is for students who want to start a career in animal care and want to progress directly to employment in animal care, or to an animal care Apprenticeship. This qualification has been developed in consultation with employers in the animal care sector to make sure students develop the skills and behaviours that will give them the best chance when applying for work. Students will cover topics such as animal welfare, feeding and handling, a well as undertaking a mandatory work placement

About the Course

This qualification is for students who want to start a career in animal care. It is an ideal qualification for those who want to progress directly to employment in animal care, or to an animal care Apprenticeship.

What does the qualification cover?

This qualification has been developed in consultation with employers in the animal care sector to make sure students develop the skills and behaviours that will give them the best chance when applying for work. All the content of the qualification is mandatory and relates directly to the skills, knowledge and behaviours expected by employers in the animal care sector. The areas learners will cover include:

•practical animal health

•animal biology and health

•animal care work placement

•animal welfare

•animal behaviour assessment and safe handling

•feeding, accommodation and moving animals

In addition, students will develop transferable technical and practical skills in communication (working with colleagues, customers and clients), and research and project work (providing you with an opportunity to demonstrate your reflective practice by suggesting alternative approaches to a problem).

Work Placement The course is taught through theory and practical sessions and you will be required to complete 3 weeks of work experience throughout the year - this is arranged as a 3 week block. Whilst you are on work placement you will be required to attend the placement Monday to Friday for the hours the placements state. Some placements (e.g. farms) may want you to start at 8am. Work experience is not optional - it is a compulsory part of the course as laid down by the awarding body. If you do not complete your placements you will not be able to complete the qualification.

Key Units

All of the units listed below are mandatory units which students must complete in order to pass the qualification:

Practical Animal Health Students will develop skills in practical animal health, disease/parasite prevention, cleaning and care, and essential animal grooming techniques for a range of animal species.

Introduction to Animal Biology and Health Students will gain the knowledge and understanding of animal biology needed for practical animal health and disease management.

Animal Care Work Placement Students will develop the practical skills and behaviours required for successful working in the animal care sector. This unit requires learners to spend 75 hours in a real working environment. Learners must have a work placement to facilitate this assessment.

Animal Behaviour Assessment and Safe Handling Students will develop skills in recognising normal and abnormal behaviours in a range of animal species and apply safe handling and restraint techniques that minimise stress in animals.

Feeding, Accommodating and Moving Animals Students will study a range of practical skills concerned with the day-to-day care of animals, including feeding, handling and providing appropriate accommodation.

Assessment

Assessment for this course takes the form of:

•Assignments

•Practical demonstrations

•Online exams/tests

Where does this Lead?

When studied as part of a full-time study programme, this qualification also gives learners a sound basis to progress further within the animal sector to a Level 3 qualification such as a Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Animal Management.

Future Opportunities

Achieving this qualification will give students an advantage when applying for a job in animal care. The types of jobs they will be ready for are:

•Animal care worker

•Animal care assistant in an animal business, charity or wildlife trust

•Kennel or cattery worker