BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care

Course Summary

Subject: Animal Care

Course Title: BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care

Course Types: Sixth Form

Course Level: Level 2

Age Group: 16-18

Course Description

The BTEC Firsts in Animal Care have been developed in the environmental and land-based sector to:

• Provide education and training for learners interested in employment and/or further education in the environmental and land-based and/or associated sectors

• Give opportunities for employees who currently work in agricultural and land management industries to achieve a nationally recognised Level 2 vocationally specific qualification

Mandatory Units: All these units are assessed internally and verified externally

Undertake work experience in a land based industry: This unit aims to provide learners with an understanding of the principles of work related experience and how these can be applied in practice. This unit is primarily aimed at learners within a centre-based setting looking to progress into the sector or further education and training.

Maintain animal accommodation: This is a practical unit which develops learners’ ability to select the appropriate housing, taking into account the need for sufficient space and shelter, bedding for comfort and hygiene, furnishings for feeding, watering and enrichment. This unit will help to prepare learners for the workplace as they will clean and care for the animals and maintain the housing on a regular basis.

Undertake practical animal feeding: The unit will prepare learners for feeding a variety of species, and can be linked to healthcare and enrichment of animals by learning about different ways of presenting food to animals to mentally stimulate them.

Maintain animal health and welfare: This unit covers monitoring and maintaining the health and wellbeing of animals, promoting and maintaining the welfare of animals, exploring common diseases, disorders and their prevention and treatment, and the principles and practices of animal first aid.

Optional Units:

Understand the principles of animal biology: Biology is the science of life and living organisms, showing us how animals breathe, grow, live and reproduce. The study of cells, tissues, systems and structures provides the key to many different aspects of animal care and an understanding of how animal bodies work. Learners will begin by considering the functional characteristics and structure of animal cells. They will then investigate how animals are able to grow, live and reproduce. This includes investigating how animals obtain their energy, the systems involved and how heritable characteristics are passed on to the next generation.

Conservation and improvement of British habitats: The British countryside contains a wide variety of habitats. For a small island country, the diversity of wildlife is large but the amount of space is limited. To maximise biodiversity, the small amount of natural space needs to be correctly managed. In order for learners to make a positive contribution to the future of rare and sensitive habitats, they need to develop an appreciation of the many different types of habitat found in the UK. Fundamental to this understanding is the ability to recognise habitats and gather information, analyse it and draw suitable conclusions.

Contribute to the care of exotics: This unit is designed to enable learners to develop knowledge and understanding of the basics needed to look after a range of exotic species, from everyday healthcare and accommodation needs to health and behaviour. It is hoped that through learners gaining this information, they will contribute to increasing the welfare standards of exotic species kept in captivity, from sourcing them ethically to looking after their most basic needs

Progression Routes

Course completion gives full-time learners the opportunity to enter employment in the environmental and land-based sector or to progress to vocational qualifications

Enrichment Opportunites

Enrichment opportunities will involve visits to external animal providers, Chester Zoo, Knowsley Safari park, local pet shops and all learners will be given an opportunity to work in a land based sector as part of work experience.

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