Health & Social Care (KS4 Only)
Introduction
BTEC Health And Social Care
Health and Social Care is a popular BTEC studied in key stage 4. It provides practical, theoretical and creative learning while equipping learners with the knowledge and skills to be the health and social carers of the future.
Health and Social Care is a vocational qualification, equivalent to a GCSE that will give choices, whether entering an academic or vocational course at post-16. Pupils perform health and social care activities and tasks, create health care plans and study realistic scenarios and case-studies relevant to the modern work-sector. Pupils study how the health and social sector provides care and support from infancy through to adulthood, middle age and into older life stages. Pupils learn how to support people with various needs including those with learning, genetic injury, physical, health and mental health needs. The course aims to contribute to the delivery of The Pilgrim Hope Curriculum and to support the school in delivery of fundamental British values.
Health And Social Care and Hope
This course very much promotes storge (caring and nurturing support) and ubuntu (compassion to others). Pupils are introduced to the work of two of The Pilgrim School’s hopeful heroes: - Marcus Rashford, and the platform he works from in promoting health, well-being and mental health for children and young people and the example set by Malala Yousafzai in speaking up for and empowering the vulnerable and unsupported. At the core of the course, however, are the ‘unsung’ heroes of the health and social care industries. The course facilitates the appreciation of diversity in our society, similarities, and differences between groups of people, social factors such as wealth, income, environment, social class education and influences and pressures on relationships. The course aims to provoke thoughts on health safety, security and relationships in learners’ own lives and the lives of others and a sense of eunoia (good will and beautiful thinking) in their future lives.
Fundamental British Values
The course promotes tolerance and respect not only between peers on the course but also an awareness that these qualities will underpin all care values of the health and social care profession. Learners appreciate that individuals have the right for their clients’ views to be heard and considered when devising care plans or health support. Learners understand that laws underpin work places, work practices and the way we treat each other.
Goal
Obtaining a level 1 or level 2 qualification in health and social care can lead to a level 3 or above qualification in the subject, an apprenticeship, degree and a diverse range of jobs at all levels in the health and social care sector. The course will use a schema focus approach on topics such as:
- Expected and unexpected life events; growth and development in infancy, early childhood, adolescence, early, middle and older adulthood (Unit Human Lifespan And Development)
- Applying confidentiality, safeguarding, duty of care, respect and dignity in a person-centred approach and while empowering individuals in care plans (Unit Care Values)
- Primary and secondary socialisation, influences on choices and relationships, effects of social factors (Unit Socialisation)
- Benefits, aims, purposes and formats of health promotion, addressing the concerns of individuals and the nation, targeting groups in health promotion, producing and adapting health promotion campaigns (Unit Health Promotion)
Pathways
To obtain a Level 2 Qualification in Health and Social Care it is necessary to complete:
- An exam unit based on growth and development in the life-stages
- A course-work unit with 3 assignments on care values and care plans
- A course-work unit with 3 assignments on socialisation
- A course-work unit with 2 assignments on health promotion
Agency
The health and social care sector is projected to be an expanding career option in future decades. Studying health and social care can lead to many varied career options, including:
- A range of administrative, medical and support careers in NHS hospitals and community practices
- Private health care
- Health and care support services for companies, businesses, air lines, cruise ships
- Care homes
- Ambulance and paramedic services
- Home support teams
- Youth services
- Social work
- Children support
- Support for adults with medical and learning needs
- Counselling
- St Johns Ambulance Service
- Aid and charity groups
Support
Find out more about the Health and Social Care qualification on Pearson's website, here.