Health and Social Care

Because Life Matters

Head of Department:  Mrs G. Rinzivillo

This qualification is for learners interested in taking a hands-on course alongside their GCSEs that will offer them an insight into what it is like to work in one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK: Health & Social Care.

The course covers some of the fundamental aspects of health and social care, including growth and development, health and social care services and values, and health and wellbeing, giving learners a broad introduction to a sector that transects a wide range of careers from social care and social work to many different branches of healthcare. The breadth of this course allows learners to identify their strengths and interests to help inform next steps in education and training.

CURRICULUM DOCUMENTS (Health & Social Care)

Using realistic vocational contexts, learners will acquire sector-specific knowledge and technical skills, exploring a range of healthcare conditions and social care needs and considering how the different healthcare and social services available can help meet individuals’ needs as well as the common barriers to access and obstacles to care. They will learn about physical, lifestyle, social, cultural, economic, and environmental factors affecting health and wellbeing and how to make recommendations for improvement using person-centred approach.

The Tech Award combines theory with plenty of practical application, giving learners the opportunity to develop key skills relevant to the health and social care sector such as research techniques and measuring physical health, as well as developing their written communication skills as they create health and wellbeing plans. Through the two internally assessed components, learners complete realistic tasks and activities that allow them to fully connect knowledge to practice and evidence core knowledge, understanding and skills.

This Tech Award complements the more theoretical aspects covered by GCSE Biology or GCSE Psychology, allowing learners to apply their knowledge in a vocational context. Achievement of the qualification opens up a wide range of progression opportunities, including A Levels or a CTEC Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care.

Health and Social Care in Years 10 and 11 (BTEC)

Award:  Health, Social Care and Health Science
Exam Board:  Pearson Edexcel

What will I learn on this course?
You will study  3 components within the course:

Component 1: Human Lifespan Development. Students will explore different aspects of growth and development and the factors that can affect this across the life stages. They will explore the different events that can impact on individuals’ physical, intellectual, emotional and social development and how individuals cope with and are supported through changes caused by life events.

Component 2: Health and Social Care Services and Values. Students will explore health and social care services and how they meet the needs of service users. They will also study the skills, attributes and values required when giving care.

Component 3: Health and Wellbeing. Students will explore the factors that affect health and wellbeing, learning about physiological and lifestyle indicators, and person-centred approaches to make recommendations to improve an individual’s health and wellbeing.

What is the importance of studying Health & Social Care ?

When you are studying Health and Social Care you will develop your knowledge and understanding of Health and Social Care in a vocational context. If you are interested in working in any health care, social care, early years or educational setting you would benefit from studying this course.  It will help you be an understanding, independent, compassionate, confident young person who is prepared to take on a caring role in society. 

This qualification builds on and uses the knowledge and skills you are learning in your other GCSEs, such as English (two components are based on set assignments so it is important to demonstrate your best writing skills). It will complement the more theoretical aspects covered by GCSE Biology or GCSE Sociology by allowing you to apply your knowledge and skills practically in a vocational context.

Health and Social care helps you understand the benefits and need for a healthy lifestyle and the impact of this across all elements of your life.

What are the aims of the course?
By the end of the course you should have gained a knowledge and understanding of human growth and development, and of how people deal with major life events. You will also understand the workings of the health and social care services and their care values.

How will I be assessed on the course?
For component 1 you will complete four PSA’s (Pearson Set Assignments) and for component 2 you will complete five PSA’s. These are controlled assessments worth 60% of your overall grade and will be completed in school and will be internally marked and assessed by your class teacher and externally moderated by the exam board.

Component 3 is an external 2 hour exam worth 40% of your overall grade. The exam will be sat at the end of the course in year 11 and marked by the exam board.

What resources are available to use?
There are textbooks in lessons and internet learning tools.  You may also have family and friends who work in health and social care professions and talking to them may help you gather examples for your coursework.
 

What is required of me when completing the course?
You will be expected to be in school on all relevant controlled coursework dates as BTEC work to strict deadlines for the completion of the PSA’s. You will be able to take your class workbook into the controlled assessments (PSA’s) so it is essential that your book is well maintained, all notes are up to date and any work missed due to absence is completed immediately on return to school.

How will I be graded?
The BTEC award in Health & Social Care course uses the following BTEC grades:

• Pass
• Merit
• Distinction

You’ll enjoy this course if…
You have a passion for caring for people and are interested in the different stages and changes you go through in life. You are interested in the effects and impacts of health on your body and on wider society. You like to challenge yourself to do your best work and get the highest grade possible on each assignment.

What further study options are available?
Students can either progress on to an A-level programme or continue onto higher level BTEC or CTEC courses.
 

What careers could I consider?
Around 3 million people in the UK currently work in health or social care.

Learners can embark on careers within the NHS such as the following: Paramedic Nursing, Midwifery, Mental Health nursing, Medicine, Dentistry, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Art Therapy, Domestic Violence Worker.   Outside the NHS this qualification can lead to, Social Worker, Primary School Teacher, Nursery nurse, etc. 

Health and Social Care in Sixth Form (CTEC)

For more information on the content of Health and Social Care at Key Stage 5, please visit our Sixth Form Course Guide.

Where can Health & SOcial Care take me?

Students who study Health & Social Care go on to study clinical fields such as Psychology, Sociology and Biology. Students who are interested in careers in EYFS (nursery and reception stage teaching), midwifery, children’s nutritionist, speech and language therapist, children psychologist and nursing.  You can find Labour Market Information on our Health & Social Care Sixth Form course information page.