Course Intent
Health and Social Care is part of everyone's life, looking at what makes us healthy and how to look after our wellbeing. In health and social care, we strive to ignite a passion for the health and social care sector through studying thought-provoking content surrounding human development, life events and the services provided by the health and social care sector.
Students learn about the different needs of individuals throughout their lives and the support available to them, such as the National Health Service (NHS). We study people of all ages and abilities, ranging from infants through to the elderly, identifying the changes they go through and what they need to develop holistically.
Students will get the opportunity to take part in a placement at the Park Nursery during Year 11 to allow those who would like to explore childcare the opportunity to experience life working in a nursery.
Curriculum Implementation
The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Health and Social Care is for learners who want to acquire sector-specific applied knowledge through vocational contexts by studying human lifespan development, health and social care services and values, and health and wellbeing as part of their Key Stage 4 learning.
The Tech Award gives learners the opportunity to develop applied knowledge in the following areas:
- The life stages and key characteristics in the physical, intellectual, emotional and social (PIES) development classifications and the different factors that can affect an individual's growth and development
- Different life events and how individuals can adapt or be supported through changes caused by life events
- Health and social care conditions, how they can be managed by the individual and the different health and social care services that are available
- The barriers and obstacles an individual may encounter and how these can be overcome
- The skills, attributes and values required to give care and how these benefit the individual
- How factors can affect an individual's current health and wellbeing
- How physiological indicators and an individual's lifestyle choices determine physical health
- The use of the person-centred approach
- Recommendations and actions to improving health and wellbeing and the barriers or obstacles individuals may face when following recommendations and the support available to overcome
Breakdown of the Course
The qualification is made up of three components. All three must be completed and achieved to gain the full qualification.
Component 1
Human Lifespan Development
Learners explore different aspects of growth and development and the factors that can affect this across the life stages. They also explore life events that can impact on individuals' physical, intellectual, emotional and social (PIES) development and how individuals cope with and are supported through changes.
Component 2
Health and Social Care Services and Values
Learners explore health and social care services and how they meet the needs of service users. They also study the skills, attributes and values required when giving care, and the barriers that can make it difficult to access services.
Component 3
Health and Wellbeing
The synoptic external component. Learners explore the factors that affect health and wellbeing, learn about physiological and lifestyle indicators, and use person-centred approaches to make recommendations to improve an individual's health and wellbeing. Assessed by a 2-hour written exam (60 marks).
Additional Opportunities
Study & Revision Groups
Additional sessions available to support students in preparing for Pearson-set Assignments and the Component 3 external exam.
Park Nursery Placement
Year 11 students have the opportunity to take part in a placement at the Park Nursery, gaining first-hand experience of working in a childcare setting.
Talks with Professionals
Guest speakers from the health and social care sector visit to share their professional experiences and career pathways, bringing the subject to life.
What's Next?
This qualification prepares learners for a range of post-16 pathways in health and social care:
- Level 3 Certificate in Health & Social Care City of Portsmouth College — Course Code: P259974
- Health and Social Care — ALMP Level 3 Certificate (HF1-HESC3C/C01) HSDC Havant Campus
Career Opportunities
This subject leads to a variety of career opportunities, including, but not limited to, over 350 different careers within the NHS.
- Nurse
- Social Worker
- Support Worker
- Counsellor
- Youth Worker
- Ambulance Care Assistant
- And many more!