BTEC Health and Social Care

Course Entry Requirements:

Four GCSEs at grade 4 and above

General Course Description:

The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care aims to provide an introduction to the sector. It is for learners who are interested in learning about the health and social care sector as part of a balanced study programme. This course is designed to provide a more vocational perspective and offers students the chance to obtain a qualification that meets both their individual aptitudes and interests. It is equivalent in size to one A Level. The qualification supports access to a range of higher education courses possibly, but not exclusively, in health and social care, if taken alongside further Level 3 qualifications.~

The specification aims to encourage students to develop an interest and understanding in health, early-years care and education, social care and issues affecting the health and social care sector. Students will develop skills that will enable them to make an effective contribution to the care sector including skills of research, evaluation and problem-solving in a work related context. It also aims to prepare them for further study and training. The two year course consists of three mandatory units and one optional unit. Two of the units are externally assessed as written examinations and the other two units are internally assessed assignment tasks.

In Y12 there are two mandatory units:

Unit 1 Human Lifespan development - students ccover physical,
intellectual, emotional and social development across the human
lifespan, and the factors affecting development and the effects of
ageing. This unit will be assessed through one examination of 90 marks
lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes. Students will be assessed through a
number of short- and long-answer questions.

Unit 5 Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs - students focus
on the principles and practicalities that underpin meeting individuals’
care and support needs, which are the foundation of all the care
disciplines. This unit will be particularly useful for those intending to
pursue a career in social care or healthcare, for instance as a social
worker or health visitors, practice nurse or occupational therapist. This
unit is internally assessed and is assignment based. Students complete
reports relating to the care and support provided for individuals which
draw together how underpinning values and principles are applied
through working practices, including multi-disciplinary working.

In Y13 there is one mandatory unit and one optional unit:

Unit 2 Working in Health and Social Care - students explore what it is
like to work in the health and social care sector, including the roles and
responsibilities of workers and organisations. This unit will be assessed
through one examination of 80 marks lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Students will be assessed through a number of short- and long-answer
questions.

Optional Unit – In this unit, students will learn about the different
psychological perspectives that have been put forward and how these
approaches have influenced thinking and practices in meeting and
supporting service user needs. Students will explore some key ideas that
will give you a good understanding of how the mind develops, and the
factors that influence development and behaviours. This knowledge is
useful in developing your understanding of how these perspectives have
formed the basis of different techniques to manage behaviours, and the
therapeutic and other interventions used in the health and social care
sector. This unit is accessed internally through an assignment..

Board: Edexcel

Career Pathways:

This course is an excellent preparation for students wishing to pursue careers in the health and social care sector e.g. nursing, midwifery, social work, mental health, paramedics, health visitor, childcare or counselling.