The purpose of this qualification is to recognise the skills and knowledge required to provide person-centred support in the health and wellbeing sectors.
The graduates will benefit by gaining recognition of transferable skills and knowledge valued across the health and wellbeing sector, and the specific skills and knowledge required to perform a role within the sector.
The community will benefit through the provision of high quality health and wellbeing services by individuals who are trained to support people, whānau and family and the wider community.
This qualification is stranded to recognise the specific skills and knowledge required for a range of roles and responsibilities in the health and wellbeing sector.
Graduates will be capable of working under limited supervision.

Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

- Apply knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations and codes in a health and wellbeing setting to provide health and wellbeing services in an ethical and professional manner.
- Recognise and respond to signs of vulnerability and abuse in a health or wellbeing setting.
- Communicate effectively in a culturally appropriate manner to support a person's health or wellbeing.

Graduates of the Healthcare Assistance strand will also be able to:
- Provide culturally appropriate person-centred care under the direction and delegation of a health professional.
- Recognise and respond to signs of functional, behavioural, environmental or other health or wellbeing change in a person, in a health or wellbeing setting.

Graduates of the Integrated Practice (Family and Whānau Harm) strand will also be able to:
- Work collaboratively as part of a multi-agency response, to create safety for people experiencing family violence, sexual violence, or violence within whānau, and to prevent further harm.
- Apply a consistent, integrated and proactive approach to risk assessment and management - family violence, sexual violence, and violence within whānau.

Graduates of the Newborn Hearing Screening strand will also be able to:
- Apply knowledge of nationally approved protocols to carry out hearing screening for newborns in a culturally appropriate manner.

Graduates of the Orderly Services strand will also be able to:
- Apply knowledge of organisational procedures to provide orderly services in a culturally appropriate and safe manner to support the effective functioning of a healthcare facility.

Graduates of the Support Work strand will also be able to:
- Provide culturally appropriate person-centred health and wellbeing support to maximise a person's independence.
- Recognise and respond to signs of functional, behavioural, environmental or other health or wellbeing change in a person, in a home or community setting.

Graduates of the Vision Hearing Screening strand will also be able to:
- Apply knowledge of nationally approved protocols to carry out vision and hearing screening for children in a culturally appropriate manner.

Graduates of the Whānau, Kin and Foster Care strand will also be able to:
- Work with appropriate organisations to promote the wellbeing of children in care, and support in a culturally appropriate manner the wellbeing and development of children who cannot live with their own parents.

This qualification builds on the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 2) [Ref: 2469] and/or other qualifications and/or skills and experience, and may lead on to further study in related health and wellbeing contexts such as the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Advanced Care and Support) (Level 4) [Ref: 4108], in Integrated Practice (Family and Whānau Harm) or in leadership and management.

Programmes leading to this qualification must adhere to and be consistent with any ethical, legislative, codes of rights or contractual requirements to which the industry or roles is subject.
Current employment in a relevant role is a requirement for entry into the Integrated Practice, Newborn Screening, Orderly Services, and Vision Hearing Screening strands.