Health & Social Care - BTEC National Extended Diploma (Triple)

Student entry into our Sixth Form requires 5 grade 4 GCSE's or above including English and Maths.

If you studied the applied subject at GCSE we are asking for a grade 5 in that subjects (Grade 6 in Maths)

The BTEC National Extended Certificate is equivalent in size to three A-Levels and involves the full and comprehensive study of the Health and Social Care Sector. This vocational qualification is an excellent choice for anyone interested in a career in nursing, social work, care or other health related professions.

At the moment Health and Social Care is under a government review until Christmas 2024, we will not know the outcome of this until after students have applied. Please be aware, if the government decides to remove funding for these courses we will be unable to offer them and you will need to select alternative subjects.

12 units are studied throughout the 2-year course.

Unit 1 – Human Lifespan Development (exam). Learners cover physical, intellectual, emotional and social development across the human lifespan, and the factors affecting development and the effects of ageing.

Unit 2 – Working in Health and Social Care (exam). Learners explore what it is like to work in the health and social care sector, including the roles and responsibilities of workers and organisations.

Unit 3 – Anatomy and Physiology (exam). Learners cover the structure, organisation and function of the human body, and anatomical and physiological systems and medical research related to disorders affecting these systems.

Unit 4 – Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care (exam). Learners explore the methodologies of contemporary research and investigate the implications for health and social care practice and services.

Unit 5 – Meeting individual care and support needs (coursework). Learners focus on the principles and practicalities that underpin meeting individuals’ care and support needs, which are the foundation of all the care disciplines.

Unit 6 – Work experience (coursework). Learners explore the benefits of work experience. They carry out and reflect on a period of 100 hours of work experience, and plan for personal and professional development.

Unit 7 – Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care (coursework). Learners explore the importance of safe working practices, safeguarding procedures and responding to emergency situations in health and social care settings.

Unit 8 – Promoting Public Health (coursework). Learners explore the aims of public health policy and the current approaches to promoting and protecting health and encouraging behaviour change in the population.

Unit 10 – Sociological perspectives (coursework). Learners explore sociological approaches to health and social care and the impact of social inequalities, demographic change and patterns and trends in social groups

Unit 12 – Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs (coursework). Learners explore the role of health and social care services in providing care and support to individuals with additional needs.

Unit 17 – Caring for Individuals with Dementia (coursework). Learners explore conditions leading to dementia, their causes, symptoms, the effects on individuals and the support required to ensure independence and dignity for individuals.

Unit 19- Nutritional Health (coursework). Learners explore concepts of nutritional health and influences on dietary intake, and learn how to assess and improve health through nutrition plans for individuals.

Four 5-day work placement placements are included as part of the course and provide valuable practical experience in both a health and social care setting.

Twelve units are assessed. Four units are external written exams; the remaining eight units are internally assessed coursework portfolios.

Minimum GCSE grade 4 in English Language and Mathematics. If applying for a course that you have studied at GCSE it is expected that you would attain a minimum of a Grade 4 in this subject.

Health and Social Care combines well with subjects such as Psychology, Sociology and Biology. It is an extremely diverse subject and can open up many career, Apprenticeship and Higher Education opportunities for the future in areas including early-years services, social work, nursing, occupational health, physiotherapy, counselling and other related health and social care sector careers.