Health, Social Care and Mental Health Training in Lancashire & Cumbria

Employers in health, social care and mental health need skilled people who can respond to changing demands and deliver safe, effective and compassionate care.

Building these skills requires access to relevant, practical training that reflects the needs of both employers and the communities they serve.

At the Lancashire & Cumbria Institute of Technology (L&C IoT), we work closely with local employers and healthcare providers to support workforce development and help people build the skills needed for their roles and future careers.

Building the skills health and social care employers need 

Health, social care and mental health employers across Lancashire and Cumbria are facing growing demand for services, workforce shortages and increasingly complex care needs. L&C IoT works with employers to develop training that responds to these challenges and helps build a skilled workforce for the future.

Training and courses cover key areas including; mental health support, medical biology, leadership, social care practice, psychology and digital skills. Aiming to combine specialist knowledge with practical, work-ready experience.

By working closely with employers, we can help upskill existing teams, develop future talent and build the skills needed to deliver high-quality care across the region.

These courses are delivered via partner colleges in the Lancashire and Cumbria area including;

  • Blackpool & Fylde College
  • Burnley College
  • East Lancashire Learning Group
  • Lakes College
  • Preston College
  • Runshaw College
CollegeCourseLevelFind Out More
Blackpool & Fylde CollegeChildren, Young People and Families - Certificate of Higher EducationLevel 4Click Here
Blackpool & Fylde CollegeApplied Science - Certificate of Higher EducationLevel 4Click Here
Blackpool & Fylde CollegeChildren, Young People and Families - Foundation DegreeLevel 5Click Here
Blackpool & Fylde CollegeChildren, Young People and Families - Foundation Degree (Progression from Cert HE)Level 5Click Here
Blackpool & Fylde CollegeCounselling and Applied Psychology - HNDLevel 5Click Here
Blackpool & Fylde CollegeLeader in Adult Care - Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship*Level 5Click Here
Blackpool & Fylde CollegeApplied Science (Analytical Chemistry) - Foundation DegreeLevel 5Click Here
Blackpool & Fylde CollegeApplied Science (Environmental Science) - Foundation DegreeLevel 5Click Here
Blackpool & Fylde CollegeApplied Science (Biotechnology) - Foundation DegreeLevel 5Click Here
Blackpool & Fylde CollegeApplied Science (Analytical Chemistry) - Foundation Degree (Progression from Cert HE)Level 5Click Here
Blackpool & Fylde CollegeApplied Science (Environmental Science) - Foundation Degree (Progression from Cert HE)Level 5Click Here
Blackpool & Fylde CollegeApplied Science (Biotechnology) - Foundation Degree (Progression from Cert HE)Level 5Click Here
Blackburn CollegeBSc (hons) SEND (starting in Sep 2024)Level 4Click Here
Blackburn CollegeFD Heath and social careLevel 5
Burnley CollegeAccess to Healthcare ProfessionsLevel 3
Burnley CollegeCounselling Level 3Level 3Click Here
Burnley CollegeUniversity of Lancashire FD H&S Care (Mental Health Pathway)Level 5
Burnley CollegeULAN Foundation Degree Children Young Perople and ServicesLevel 5
Burnley CollegeBSC (Hons) Medical Biology L6Level 6Click Here
Burnley CollegeBSc Hons Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling Level 6Click Here
Burnley CollegeBSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise ScienceLevel 6Click Here
Burnley CollegeBSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and DevelopmentLevel 6Click Here
East Lancashire Learning GroupCertHE Professional Healthcare ManagementLevel 4Click Here
East Lancashire Learning GroupCertHE Mental Health WorkLevel 4Click Here
East Lancashire Learning GroupCertHE Alcohol and Substance Misuse WorkLevel 4Click Here
East Lancashire Learning GroupFdA Counselling Studies Yr 1Level 4Click Here
East Lancashire Learning GroupFdSc Sport Coaching & Physical Activity Yr 1Level 4Click Here
East Lancashire Learning GroupDiploma in Counselling PracticeLevel 4
East Lancashire Learning GroupFdA Strategic Leadership in Health and Social CareLevel 5
East Lancashire Learning GroupFdA Mental Health WorkLevel 5Click Here
East Lancashire Learning GroupFdA Counselling Studies Year 2Level 5Click Here
East Lancashire Learning GroupFdA Alcohol and Substance Misuse Work Level 5Click Here
East Lancashire Learning GroupFdSc Sport Coaching & Physical Activity Yr 2Level 5
East Lancashire Learning GroupBA (Hons) Counselling and PsychotherapiesLevel 6Click Here
Lakes CollegeFdSc Applied Chemistry (UoC validated) - Day ReleaseLevel 5Click Here
Preston CollegeTherapeutic Counselling Diploma (HTQ)Level 4Click Here
Preston CollegeFda Person Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy Level 4Click Here
Preston CollegeFDa Health & Social Care (Mental Health)Level 5Click Here
Preston CollegeBSc (Hons) Person Centred Counselling & Psychotherapy Top-upLevel 6Click Here
Runshaw CollegeCounsellingLevel 4Click Here

How do our health, social care and mental health training courses benefit employers?

Our courses in health and social care give learners a broader understanding of principles related to their field, as well as specialist skills. Course attendees gain access to the latest research and data insights, plus practical experience of real-world applications.

Through our network of local colleges, employers can access training that provides precisely the experience and skill sets their people need.

Technology and patient care

In Lancashire alone, the social care sector accounts for 16% of the workforce, with complex care needs increasing each year.

Many of the new opportunities in the sector are driven by technology, with developments such as AI, data analysis and remote access shaping care.

Mental health and wellbeing

Our study topic areas include psychology, psychiatry, mental health disorders, therapeutic interventions and recovery-oriented approaches.

Employers and employees will benefit from a well-rounded balance of academic and work-based experience.

Lifespan health

Employees can develop a stronger understanding of how mental health needs can change throughout a person’s life.

Course content can cover everything from early childhood trauma and peer pressure to stress and the impact of failing physical health on mental wellbeing.

These capabilities help employees contribute more effectively within research, laboratory and technical environments.

Supporting workforce development with tailored training

The health, social care and mental health training qualifications provided by L&C IoT are designed to complement existing workforce development.

Alongside practical experience and internal training, employees can access structured learning delivered by established education partners across Lancashire and Cumbria.

This gives employers the opportunity to address specific skills needs while helping employees build broader knowledge, specialist expertise and confidence in their roles.

To explore the training pathways available visit: health science course page here.

Why social care and health employers should work with the L&C IoT

Employers across Lancashire and Cumbria work with the L&C IoT to strengthen skills development in the health, social care and mental health sectors. Collaboration with local education partners results in training pathways that address sector-specific needs rather than delivering generic qualifications. This enables L&C IoT to support employers in the region to:

Training is delivered through trusted education partners across Lancashire and Cumbria, giving employers access to specialist knowledge, facilities and recognised qualifications across the region.

“I got involved with the IoT because I can see the value in helping change the landscape – the better the talent coming through, the easier it is for businesses like ours to recruit.”

Tom Smith

Chief Executive of Complete

Start a conversation about health, social care and mental health workforce development

Whether you want to add technical expertise to your teams or strengthen understanding of the latest practices, we can identify available opportunities.

Contact the L&C IoT team to discuss Health, Social Care and Mental Health opportunities for your business.

OUR EMPLOYER PARTNERS