Description
NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism
- £213
- *Prices shown are all-inclusive of VAT—no extra charges!
- Priority Track option available
Why Study with us?
- Priority-track assessments and workbook marking
- For learners aged 16+ in education, early years, care or support roles, and families
- Flexible, self-paced study – most learners finish in 3–4 months
- Courses designed and assessed by subject-qualified industry trainers and assessors
- One-to-one live sessions (if desired) with expert tutors
Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism Course Overview
The NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism is an Ofqual-regulated qualification for anyone aged 16 or over who wants to understand autism and support autistic children, young people and adults well. This course on autism suits teaching assistants, early years staff, care and support workers and healthcare or leisure staff, as well as parents, family members and volunteers who want a structured, recognised way to build their knowledge.
Across six mandatory units you explore what autism is, how it is diagnosed in the UK, the language used to describe it, common co-occurring conditions and the misconceptions autistic people often face. You learn about differences in communication and social interaction, sensory processing and executive functioning, and practical tools such as visual supports and low-arousal environments. You also study person-centred, rights-based support, positive behaviour support, and how to help autistic people stay safe, cope with transitions, use services and find and keep work. The course is knowledge-based, so there is no placement. If you support people whose behaviour can be distressed or challenging, our Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges is a natural companion course.
Career Opportunities and Progression after the Understanding Autism Course
Knowledge of autism is valued in schools and colleges, nurseries, adult social care, supported living, healthcare, leisure services and the voluntary sector. The Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Autism can strengthen an application for roles such as teaching assistant, SEN support assistant, care or support worker and residential childcare worker, and it is useful continuing professional development if you already work in one of these settings. It is a knowledge qualification, so on its own it does not qualify you for a particular job, and some roles need further qualifications or experience.
Parents and family members can also use it to understand an autistic child or relative better. To progress, you could take our Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools if you want to work in a classroom, or a Level 3 qualification linked to your setting, such as the Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator), the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) or the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care.
Do I need a work placement to complete this course?
No. This is a knowledge-only qualification, so you do not need to be working with autistic people or to complete a work placement. You study and complete all of your assignments online. If you do work, volunteer or care for someone, you may find it helpful to relate what you learn to your own experience, but this is not required.
There are no exams. You complete written assignments for each of the six units, which together form a portfolio of evidence that is internally assessed by your tutor and externally quality assured by NCFE. You need to achieve all six units, and the qualification is graded Achieved or Not Yet Achieved. Assignments are marked within 3–5 working days, or 1–3 working days on Priority Track.
You complete all six mandatory units.
Unit 01: Introduction to Autism
Unit 02: Using a Person-centred Approach to Support Autistic Individuals
Unit 03: Communication and Social Interaction in Autistic Individuals
Unit 04: Sensory Processing, Perception and Cognition in Autistic Individuals
Unit 05: Supporting Positive Behaviour in Autistic Individuals
Unit 06: Supporting Autistic Individuals to Live Healthy and Fulfilled Lives
The qualification has 152 guided learning hours (GLH) and a total qualification time (TQT) of 180 hours. Study is self-paced, and most learners complete it in 3–4 months. Your enrolment includes 12 months’ access to the learning platform and unlimited tutor support from the date you enrol; if you need longer, you can extend your access for a re-enrolment fee.
Qualification Number: 601/6330/6
NCFE is an Awarding Organisation regulated by Ofqual, ensuring that all qualifications adhere to rigorous standards.
Vocational Courses we offer in Bundle
Pricing Plans
Standard One Time Purchase
Make a single payment, and you're all set to begin your learning journey.
£213*inc. VAT
- OfQual-approved qualification
- 24/7 access to LMS and unlimited tutor support
- Transparent pricing, no hidden charges
- Start when you're ready with a full year of access.
- Unlimited revisions
- Receive feedback within 3 – 5 working days
Standard Monthly
Spread the cost of £244.92 (inc. VAT) with convenient monthly payments over 6 months.
£40.82*inc. VAT
per month
Priority Track One Time Purchase
Make a single payment, and you're all set to begin your learning journey.
£245*inc. VAT
- OfQual-approved qualification
- 24/7 access to LMS and unlimited tutor support
- Transparent pricing, no hidden charges
- Start when you're ready with a full year of access.
- Unlimited revisions
- Receive feedback within 1 – 3 working days
Priority Track Monthly
Spread the cost of £281.76 (inc. VAT) with convenient monthly payments over 6 months.
£46.96*inc. VAT
per month
Discounted Business/Corporate Purchases
Enjoy Bulk Discounts
The following bulk discounts are applicable to our corporate clients:
5% for booking 3 learnersÂ
10% for booking 5 or more learnersÂ
15% for booking 10 or more learners
For enquiries, please contact our sales team at +44 20 8178 4802
Flexible Payment Options
Take advantage of a 30-day payment term when buying 5 or more courses. Please note that an upfront payment will be required unless you are a regular buyer.
Course reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
It is for anyone aged 16 or over who wants to understand autism: teaching assistants and SEN support staff, early years practitioners, care and support workers, healthcare and leisure staff, volunteers, and parents, carers and family members of autistic people. You do not need any previous qualifications or experience.
You will learn what autism is and how it is diagnosed, the theories and terms used to describe it, and common co-occurring conditions. You will also cover communication and social interaction differences, sensory processing and executive functioning, person-centred and rights-based support, positive behaviour support, and how to help autistic people stay safe, manage change, access services and work.
Yes. This is autism training online from start to finish: you study through our learning platform at home, at any time, on a computer, tablet or phone. You get 12 months’ access, unlimited tutor support and optional one-to-one live sessions with a tutor. You can pay in full or spread the cost over 6 monthly payments.
No. The certificate builds your knowledge of autism and how to support autistic people, but it is not a clinical qualification. In the UK, autism is diagnosed by specialist health professionals, and the course explains how that process works and some of the challenges people face in getting a diagnosis.
You can use your knowledge in your current role, in job applications in education, care and support services, or at home. To keep learning, you could take the Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Behaviour that Challenges, the Level 2 Certificate in Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools, or a Level 3 qualification in early years, residential childcare or adult care.
You must be aged 16 or over. There are no formal entry requirements, although a Level 1 qualification can be helpful. You just need basic reading and writing skills and a device with an internet connection.
No. There are no fixed deadlines for individual assignments, so you can work at your own pace as long as you complete the course within your 12-month access period.
This qualification is awarded by NCFE, an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, under its CACHE brand for care, health and education qualifications. When you complete the course you will receive an NCFE CACHE certificate.
Qualification Number: 601/6330/6
If you still have any questions, please refer to our main FAQs page or contact us for further assistance.
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