Home > Curriculum > Applied Learning > Health and Social Care - Introductory and First Certificate
Health and Social Care GCSE (Double Award)
- Members of Staff and Roles/Responsibilities
- GCSE Overview
- Structure of the Course
- Content of the Course
- Additional Information
Members of Staff and Roles/Responsibilities
| Mrs S Jones | Subject Team Leader |
| Mrs S Evans | Teacher of Health and Social Care / Vice Principal |
| Ms E Maguire | Teacher of Health and Social Care |
Health and Social Care GCSE Overview
Health and Social Care is a subject that is relevant to your own life experiences. It will involve understanding how all age groups grow and develop, what makes people healthy and provision for caring for people in society. There will be opportunities to work with people outside College and to investigate roles within the Health and Social Care industry.
This option will suit students who may be interested in the health and social care industry.
Structure of Health and Social Care Course
You will follow the Edexcel Health and Social Care GCSE equivalent to 2 GCSEs A* - G.
The course consists of four units of work:
Unit 1 Understanding Personal Development and Relationships (20% of the double GCSE)
Unit 2 Exploring Health, Social Care and Early Years provision (30% of the double GCSE)
Unit 3 Promoting Health and Wellbeing (30% of the double GCSE)
Unit 4 Health, Social care and Early Years in practice. (20% of the double GCSE)
Units 1 and 4 are assessed externally and Units 2 and 3 are assessed internally through controlled coursework.
Health and Social Care GCSE Content
The GCSE in Health and Social Care gives students opportunities to:
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Actively engage in the processes of health and social care in order to develop as effective and independent students
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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
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Develop a critical and analytical approach to problem solving within the health, social care and early years sectors
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Examine issues which affect the nature and quality of human life, including an appreciation of diversity and cultural issues.
In addition, the Double Award will give students the opportunity to:
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Develop their awareness of the influences on an individual’s health and wellbeing and understand the importance of motivation and support when improving health.
Additional Information
Assessment
Students will be expected to complete 2 pieces of extended coursework under controlled conditions, one in Year 10 and one in Year 11. Students will be expected to carry out independent research as preparation for these assessments. Students will also sit 2 exams, one in Year 10 and one in Year 11.
Option Block
The Health and Social care GCSE is offered as a double award in either Option blocks 1 and 2 or 3 and 4. If you wish to study this course you must chose it in both option blocks.
Career Information
This option provides a useful experience for students who may be interested in careers within the health and social care industry (for example, nursing, social work, residential and child care.)
Progression
This course provides a useful, but not essential, qualification for students who wish to progress to either an A level or a BTEC (level 2 or 3) in Health and Social Care.
Trips and Visits
Students may get the opportunity to visit local service providers. They will also investigate local facilities for early years’ service users.
Travel and Tourism BTEC First Certificate
Members of Staff and Roles/Responsibilities
| Mrs Jones | Teacher in charge of Health and Social Care |
Health and Social Care First Certificate Overview
Health and Social Care is a subject that is relevant to your own life and experiences. It will involve understanding how all age groups grow and develop, what makes people healthy and what provision there is for caring for people in society. There will be opportunities to work with people outside College.
KS4 First Certificate Structure
You will follow the Edexcel Health and Social Care BTEC First Certificate course at level 2, which is equivalent to 2 GCSEs A* to C.
You will study two care units:
- Unit 1: Communication and Individual Rights within the Health and Social Care Sector
- Unit 2: Individual Needs within the Health and Social Care Sectors.
You will also study an additional specialist unit:
- Unit 6: Human Lifespan Development
This course will help you learn
- to be responsible for completing work to deadlines.
- skills and knowledge of Health, Social Care and related professions.
- to develop key skills that are highly valued by employers and further education.
KS4 First Certificate Content
There will be opportunities for visits from Health professionals and off site observations of some caring professions. This course may also offer opportunities for additional qualifications in Babysitting, Food Hygiene and First Aid.
You will carry out independent research and also work in groups to assemble a portfolio of work.
Additional Information
What exams are there?
The course consists of the three assessed units of work.
To achieve certification, students will be expected to complete a portfolio of notes, including an internally set assignment for each unit. Units are graded Pass, Credit or Distinction. There is no final exam.
Option Block
BTEC First Certificate in Health and Social Care is offered in Pathway 3, in Option Blocks 3 and 4. This is a double option choice. If you wish to study this course you must choose it in both option blocks.
Career Information
This option provides useful experience for those students who may be interested in a career in the “caring” professions (e.g. nursing, social work, residential and child care),
Progression
This course provides a useful, but not essential, qualification for students who wish to progress to level 3 vocational qualifications such as BTEC National Diploma in Health Studies, Care or Early Years, or the GCE in Health and Social Care.
Trips and Visits
All of the Health and Social Care courses involve going on educational visits and looking at how organisations meet the needs of clients and service users. Examples of past visits have been to the annual GCSE student conference and local day centres.
