Why should I study Health & Social Care?

You should have an interest in a career which involves working with people. The BTEC courses will provide you with the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in the care sector as well as providing you with a good foundation for many degree courses depending on your choice of other subjects.

You can start from scratch with both courses and they both cover a wide variety of topics. The theory work that you will do is closely related to practice and you will take part in work experience. Both courses will enable you to develop your self-confidence and communication skills through group work, role-plays and presentations as well as transferable skills such as time management and organisation, which are useful in any area of employment

What will I study?

There are 8 Core Units which you must study:
Developing Effective Communication in Health and Social Care will enable you to explore and develop the skills needed for effective communication in different situations.

Equality, Diversity and Rights in Health and Social Care will enable you to understand the diversity of individuals in British society and how good practice in Health and Social Care recognises this.
Health, Safety and Security in Health and Social Care will enable you to look at these issues in the care environment with a view to protecting clients and those working in this sector.

Development through the Life Stages will extend your understanding of the needs of individuals at different life stages.

Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care will give information relating to body systems and the way they work.

Personal and Professional Development For this you will do up to 100 hours on work placement and you will produce a portfolio about your development over the course.

Sociological Perspectives in Health and Social Care will help you to understand different views of health as well as trends in health and illness such as mortality rates and the incidence of diseases.

Psychological Perspectives in Health and Social Care will help you to understand more about human behaviour different psychological theories that can be used to explain this.

In addition to the core units you will do some Specialist Units:
For the BTEC National Certificate Course (2 A Level Equivalent) you will do 4 units from the list below.

For the BTEC National Diploma Course (3 A Level Equivalent) you will do 10 units from the list below:

• Values and Planning in Social Care
• Supporting and Protecting Adults
• Caring for Children and Young People
• Physiological Disorders
• Health Education
• Research in Health and Social Care
• Complementary Therapies in Health and Social Care
• Coping with Change in Health and Social Care
• Caring for Individuals with Additional Needs
• Caring for Older People
• Counselling in Health and Social Care
• Nutrition in Health and Social Care

What are the entry requirements?

Normal college entry requirements apply.

What skills do I need?

• To have a caring and responsible attitude towards other people
• Good verbal and written communication
• Well organised and committed to study

How will I be taught?

You will be taught by a variety of friendly, supportive teachers and you will experience a range of learning opportunities including: activities, discussions, videos and individual research. Teachers will support you in preparing assignments for assessment, including individual research, questioning, giving time to deal with problems and providing regular times to review progress.

How is the course assessed?

Both courses are 100% coursework. Assessment will be through a variety of methods, including written assignments, and case studies, along with projects, performance observation and time-constrained assessments.
Successful completion of the courses will lead to a Pass, Merit or Distinction level.

What will this course prepare me for?

Both of the BTEC Level 3 Qualifications in Health and Social Care are valued by employers and Universities or Colleges. Many students go into careers such as Nursing, Midwifery, Medical Science and Investigations, Paramedics and other professions allied to medicine. Others go into Social Care work or Education.

If you decide to go to university or college you could take a degree or a BTEC Higher National Diploma in subjects such as:

• Managing Health and Care
• Health Studies
• Social Policy
• Nursing Private Study

You will be expected to complete at least 4 hours of private study a week. This work is outside the classroom will enable you to complete your coursework tasks and achieve your target grade.

What materials will I need to purchase?

• A ring binder for storing notes and coursework.
• A4 lined paper.

Examining Board

EXEXCEL

Health and Social care is for you if

You are self-motivated, you like doing lots of coursework and you are interested in working with people.

Health and Social care is not for you if

You prefer written exams, you find it hard to be organised and you leave everything to the last minute.