Health and Social Care

The health and social care industry is one of the UK’s largest employers. Working in this sector can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding careers with the opportunity to make a positive difference in the daily lives of others. This qualification will give you the chance to gain vocational experience, knowledge and understanding of the health and social care sector, and transferable skills to succeed in the evolving health and social care environment.

Course Structure

The qualification has four mandatory units covering the following topics:

• Human Lifespan Development – you will examine physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development across the human lifespan, the interaction between biological and social factors in health and well-being and how health care professionals provide effective, holistic care across a range of health conditions. You will also study the impact of health inequalities and how this can affect health. This unit will be assessed through one examination lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes.

• Human Biology and Health – you will explore the organisation, structure and normal physiological functioning of the human body, and the effect on health of common disorders of the body systems. A clear understanding of human biology and health is essential when working in health and social care services. This unit will provide foundation knowledge required in further study and careers in healthcare, for example, nursing, midwifery, allied health professions, as well as social care roles, such as social work and care workers. This unit will be assessed through one examination lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes.

• Principles of Health and Social Care Practice – you will focus on the principles that underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals, which are the foundation of all services within health and social care. This unit introduces the core values expected of NHS and social care professionals which underpin professional standards, skills, and attributes and how these should be applied in practice to meet the needs of individuals in health and social care environments. This unit is assessed through written coursework.

• Promoting Health Education – you will develop an understanding of the purpose of health education, learning about organisations and legislations that support the implementation of health education including how they work as part of an integrated team to ensure the nation’s health is a priority. In taking this unit, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of the need for health education, which will support their progression into further education and/or employment within the sector. This unit is assessed through written coursework.

Entry Criteria: Grade 4 in GCSE Maths, GCSE English Language and GCSE Science course

You could go directly into employment as a care worker in hospitals, care homes and other health related fields, as well as working in community and voluntary organisations or a higher or degree apprenticeships in health and social care. Depending on your additional subject combination, you may be able to move on to to health and social care higher education programmes including Level 4 HNC in Health and Social Care, degree courses including Nursing, Social Work or Occupational Therapy.