Course Introduction
This one-year City & Guilds qualification is an entry-level, practical qualification designed for individuals keen to start a career working with animals. This programme focuses on developing the essential skills and fundamental knowledge required for routine tasks within the animal care industry. As a "work-based" qualification, a significant amount of your learning and assessment will take place in a realistic animal care environment, ensuring you gain hands-on experience and build confidence in your ability to work safely and effectively with a variety of species.
Key areas of study include Maintaining the Safety of Self and Others in the Workplace, Assisting with the Care of Animals, Principles of Dealing with Animal Accommodation, Assisting with Feedstuffs for Small Animals, and Principles and Practice of Animal Handling and Movement. These units ensure you have the foundational skills for the health, feeding, housing, and handling of various animals.
- GCSE English and maths at grade 2 or above
Assessment is continuous and primarily workplace-based, reflecting the practical nature of the qualification. Your competence is measured by building a comprehensive Portfolio of Evidence. This portfolio will include direct observations of your performance by a qualified assessor, written tasks or assignments, oral questioning to check your understanding of principles, and supporting evidence such as witness testimonies and work logs.
Successful achievement of the Level 1 Diploma opens doors to immediate entry-level employment and further progression. Graduates are well-prepared for roles such as an Assistant Kennel/Cattery Worker, Pet Store Assistant, or an Animal Care Assistant in welfare charities.
Academically, this qualification is the perfect stepping stone to advance your education, allowing you to progress onto higher-level courses, such as the City & Guilds Level 2 Animal Care or a relevant Level 2 Apprenticeship, to specialise and develop more advanced skills.
Course Details
Course Code:
HF86
Study Mode:
Full Time
Location
Basingstoke
Start Date:
07/09/2026
Duration:
1 Year
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Course: Level 1 Animal Care Diploma
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