Social Science – Health and Social Care

Course Details

Awarding Body: Pearson

50% of this course is assessed through external examination. (Units 1 & 2)

50% of this course is evaluated via internal controlled assessment. (Units 3 & 4,5, 6 or 7)

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Key features of the course

There are three mandatory units:

Human Lifespan and Development – PIES and factors affecting growth and development, interventions and the different professionals providing care and treatment

Human Biology and Health – Human body structure and systems, normal physiological functioning and the impact of common disorders

Health and Social Care Practice – Core principles, values and legislation that underpin and influence health and social care, and the effect of social determinants on an individual health status

There is one optional unit, one chosen from the following options:

Health, Social Policy and Wellbeing – Public health policy and its influences, including health-related organisations/groups and a range of strategic factors

Promoting Health Education – Health education, its purpose and use of different approaches and models to achieve positive health outcomes

Safe Environments in Health and Social Care – Appropriate provisions in services relevant to different needs; governance relating to safe environments

Health Science – Types of infections and their potential impact on a local, national and international scale.

Entry Requirements:

Minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4 including English Language.

What could this course lead on to?

The Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Health and Social Care (Extended Certificate) is an Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ) designed for post-16 students with an interest in health and social care and aiming to progress to higher education as a route to graduate level employment.  It is equivalent to one A Level, it is suitable for students looking to develop their applied knowledge and skills in health and social care alongside two A Levels.

The following careers have their roots in Health and Social Care: Nursing (Adult, Children, Mental Health and Learning Disabilities)/Midwifery

Social Work/Social Care Work,

Primary School Teaching,

Children and Young Peoples Workforce, or

Allied Health professions e.g. Occupational Therapy, Speech & Language therapist.  These careers require the transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, research and analysis, which are valued in both higher education and the workplace and are developed throughout this course.

Future prospects and careers

This course will support access to a variety of degree courses including, but not exclusively:

BSc (Hons) in Nursing

BA (Hons) in Primary Education

BSc (Hons) in Social Work

What type of student is this course suitable for?

Do you want to work with people? Do you want to provide physical, intellectual, emotional and/or social support to help people live their lives? You will need the ability to build relationships with patients and service users. It is essential that people trust you, and therefore patience, friendliness and fantastic communication skills are needed. Health & Social Care complements subjects such as Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Biology, English.