Sixth Form Health & Social Care
Health & Social Care
Board: Pearson Edexcel
Type: L3 BTEC
School: Sturminster Newton High School
Contact: Mrs E Neilson & Mrs S Weedon
Why study Health & Social Care?
Do you have an interest in people? This course covers all life stages and develops understanding of human growth and development, studying the social care services available to help provide the best support and issues affecting the sector.
The Health and social care industry is one of the largest employment sectors in the UK. It is an attractive industry for people desiring to make a positive difference in society and looking to find secure employment in today’s ever-changing economy. Working in this field can also be one of the most challenging and rewarding careers; but it is also the place where you get the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives each day. This course is for anyone interested in a career in the Health and Social Care sector, for example, nursing, working in early year’s settings, the care of the elderly or those with special needs.
What will I learn?
Unit 1: Human Lifespan Development
This unit covers aspects of human growth and development through the different life stages from birth to old age. It serves as an introduction to health and social care needs and so sits at the heart of the qualification. Health and social care practitioners need to develop a knowledge base for working with people in every stage of their lives, and they need to know how their own experiences relate to health and wellbeing. This unit develops your knowledge and understanding of patterns of human growth and development.
Unit 2: Working in Health and Social Care
Learners explore what it is like to work in the health and social care sector. You will begin by looking at the range of roles and general responsibilities of people who work in health and social care settings. You will learn about the organisations that provide services in this sector, and the different settings in which these services are delivered.
Unit 5: Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs
For you to be able to provide the care and support that individual’s need, it is important that you have a good understanding of the principles behind providing quality care and support. This unit introduces you to the values and issues that need to be considered when planning care and support that meet the needs of an individual in a health and social care environment.
Unit 12: Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs
You will look in depth at the reasons why individuals may experience additional needs, learn to explain diagnostic procedures and how disability is viewed by society. You will have the opportunity to present a piece of coursework in which you have looked in depth a one child and one adult with different additional needs and how they have overcome the daily challenges of their lives. You will discover the benefits of the adaptations and support provided for the two cases you have studied and your will be able to talk about the statutory provision with which they are provided.
What are the entry requirements?
Minimum: GCSE grade 4 in English and GCSE grade 4 in Maths; GCSE grade 4 in Health and Social Care (if studied).
You need good literacy skills as these are essential for success in the exam and the coursework. You need a genuine interest in this subject and a commitment to do some work experience in a relevant Health and Social Care setting in order to see the classroom theory put into practice.
How will I be assessed?
Units 1 & 2 – each externally assessed in a 90 minute exam.
Unit 5 and Unit 12 – internally assessed through two pieces of coursework for each unit in the form of a written report.
BTEC Nationals are Level 3 qualifications and are awarded at the grade ranges of: Distinction* (A* equiv)/ Distinction (A) / Merit (C) / Pass (E)
What do students do after studying Health & Social Care?
This qualification can lead to further training for degree level studies or employment within a wide range of health, social care, early years care and education environments.