Health and Social Care

Why study Pearson Level 3 AAQ BTEC in Health and Social Care?

This qualification allows students to engage in a broad investigation of various aspects of the health and social care sector. The qualification is designed to be taken alongside A Levels as part of a study programme and can link to learning in A Levels such as Psychology, Biology or English. It is intended for students that wish to progress into higher education as a pathway to employment.

How will I be assessed?

There are two mandatory examined units and one mandatory internally assessed unit. Students will select a further optional unit from the four available. Each unit is worth 25% of the student’s final grade.

The qualification has three mandatory units covering the following topics:

• Human Lifespan and Development (Examined unit) – PIES and factors affecting growth and development, interventions and the different professionals providing care and treatment
• Human Biology and Health (Examined unit) – Human body structure and systems, normal physiological functioning, and the impact of common disorders
• Health and Social Care Practice (Internally assessed unit) – Core principles, values and legislation that underpin and influence health and social care, and the effect of social determinants on an individual’s health status

Students have a choice of one from four optional internally assessed units covering the following topics:

• 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

Students need five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above and/or BTEC Level 2 Health and Social Care qualification. Achievement in English and Mathematics at GCSE level.

What skills will I gain from studying Health and Social Care?

There are opportunities during this course for students to develop the following skills:

• Cognitive and problem-solving skills: use critical thinking, approach non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, use systems and technology
• Intrapersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating, and influencing, self-presentation
• Interpersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring, and development

Where can Health and Social Care lead?

This course is taken alongside other qualifications as part of a two-year programme of learning. This will enable students to progress to a degree programme chosen from a range of programmes in the health and social care sector. In the past, students have taken courses leading to professional qualifications in Primary Teaching, Nursing and Occupational Therapy, Midwifery, Speech and Language Therapy, Social Work and Physiotherapy. Some students have opted to take a subject oriented degree course at university, such as Criminology, Social Policy, Early Years Studies, and Health Studies.

Staff

The following members of staff form the Social Sciences department at King Edwards: