Health and Social care is a vocational subject where students learn about the skills, procedures and legislation involved with working in the health or social care sector.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum and Assessment:

Key Stage 4 students complete the Edexcel GCSE course in Health and Social Care.

The course gives students opportunities to:

• understand aspects of personal development, and the health, social care and early years sectors, through investigation and evaluation of a range of services and organisations
• develop a critical and analytical approach to problem solving within the health, social care and early years sectors
• examine issues which affect the nature and quality of human life, including an appreciation of diversity and cultural issues.

The Curriculum

Unit 1: Understanding personal development and relationships

• Human growth and development (from birth to old age )
• Factors affecting human growth and development
• Effects of relationships on personal growth and development
• The effect of life events on personal development

Unit 2: Exploring health, social care and early years provision

• The range of care needs of major client groups
• How health care, social care and early years services are accessed and the barriers to access
• How health, social care and early years services are provided
• Workers in health, social care and early years
• Care values which underpin service provider interaction.

Assessment

Unit 1 Exam (40%) – This unit is assessed through a 1-hour and 15-minute written examination paper which has a total of 70 marks. The paper consists of 15 multiple-choice questions and a series of questions based on case studies and short scenarios.

Unit 2 Controlled Assessment (60%) – This unit is internally assessed through an Edexcel-set task to be completed under controlled conditions.  This unit will be marked out of 50.

It will consist of an investigation into the needs of one person and how health, social care and early years organisations meet those needs.  Students have to select an individual to study and conduct the task as a controlled assessment.

Background research is completed as homework and evidence is brought into school for the completion of this unit.

This portfolio of work accounts for 60% of the overall grade.

Key Stage 5 Curriculum and Assessment:

Year 12 – L2 Award

This BTEC First Award (Level 2) is a nationally recognised vocational qualification which offers an insight into Health and Social Care. It is equivalent to one GCSE at grade A* to C.

The course gives students:

• the opportunity to gain a broad understanding and knowledge of the health and social care sector
• a more focused understanding of health and social care through the selection of optional specialist units
• the opportunity to develop a range of personal skills and techniques, through the selection of units that are essential for successful performance in working life
• give opportunities for learners to achieve a nationally recognised level 1/level 2 health and social care qualification
• support progression into a more specialised level 3 vocational or academic course or into an apprenticeship.

Assessment % breakdown (coursework and external exam)

75% controlled assessment, 25% external assessment

Assignments are graded Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Overall grade is Pass, Merit, Distinction or Distinction*, dependent on the completion of all assignments during the course and grades awarded for each unit

Years 12 & 13 – L3 National Diploma in Health and Social care

The Level 3 National Diploma in Health and Social Care, which is equivalent to two A Levels.

This course is 100% coursework based and allows students to demonstrate their understanding through essays, reports, work experience and presentations.