iPET Network Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care – Qualification Number 610/3810/6 (link to qualification on Ofqual register)

The iPET Network Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care qualification has been developed for Candidates seeking a specialised qualification in Animal Care. This qualification has been designed to give Candidates the knowledge and understanding of various aspects of animal care, to include health, handling, feeding requirements, legislation and health and safety. Candidates will also gain practical skills in animal care with a range of animals. It is an ideal qualification for learners intending to progress directly to employment in animal care or to study animal care at a higher level.

The optional units allow Candidates to choose from a variety of areas to tailor the qualification to their needs and interests. Optional units cover a wide range of topics such as companion animal nursing, animal behaviour and training, animal biology and animal work experience. 

This qualification has been developed in collaboration with industry experts to ensure that the content is relevant, current and meets the needs of the animal and education sector.  

The qualification is available in English or Welsh, enabling learners for whom Welsh is their preferred language to have the opportunity to learn and complete the qualification in Welsh. 

This qualification has been designed to enable Candidates to:

• Know the general health care requirements for a range of animals

• Know the housing, handling, moving and feeding requirements when keeping animals

• Know the legislation, personal protective equipment (PPE), dress code, signs/symbols, risk assessments, procedures, effective handwashing, disinfection, sterilisation and waste disposal relevant to working in the animal industry

• Know legislation relevant to animal welfare

• Know animal related organisations and their aims

• Know the range of employment opportunities in the animal sector, their requirements and how to successfully navigate the application and interview process

• Be able to develop and demonstrate practical animal skills for a range of animals, to include working safely, setting up and maintaining animal accommodation, food selection and provision, handling, monitoring health and transportation

 Depending on the optional units chosen, this qualification has been designed to enable Candidates to:

• Know the principles of animal biology including classification, cells, mammal biological systems, genetics, and senses

• Be able to undertake work experience in the animal care sector and understand the skills required for animal work

• Know and understand normal and abnormal behaviours in animals and training methods

• Know how to and be able to carry out animal behaviour observation and training programmes

• Gain an insight into the veterinary sector to include first aid, customer care and common procedures for companion animals

The qualification consists of 5 mandatory theoretical units, 1 mandatory practical unit designed to provide the required underpinning knowledge and skills, alongside 4 optional units of which a minimum of 1 unit must be completed (choice between 1 theoretical unit  or 3 practical and theoretical units):

Mandatory units:

Unit 228: Animal Health and Diseases

Unit 229: Animal Husbandry, Handling and Nutrition

Unit 230: Health, Safety and Hygiene

Unit 231: Animal Welfare Legislation and Organisations

Unit 232: Preparation for Work

Unit 233: Practical Animal Skills

Optional units:

Unit 234: Animal Biology

Unit 235: Animal Care Work Experience

Unit 236: Animal Behaviour and Training

Unit 237: Companion Animal Nursing Skills and Customer Care

EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE, FOR PETS, FOR THE FUTURE