HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
QUALIFICATION:
BTEC National Extended Certificate OR BTEC National Extended Diploma
OVERVIEW:
This is a course for students who have an interest in working in the social care, health care or education fields. The course will appeal to those students who enjoy studying a subject that is relevant to their own lives and experience and are interested in developing an understanding of caring organisations and the clients they serve. The course is ideal for those who want to move on to a related career or higher vocational courses (BTEC level 4, HND and NVQ’s) and degrees in nursing and midwifery.
The qualification is designed to provide a broad introduction to the vocational area of health and social care. It is offered at two options: The National Extended Certificate is taught as 4 units over two years. Two of the units are assessed externally by a written examination. This course can be studied alongside other Advanced GCE’s.
We also offer the BTEC Level 3 National extended diploma in Health and Social Care that is a triple option and is equivalent to 3 A level subjects. The extended diploma is taught as a combination of 13 mandatory and optional modules over the two years. It includes 100 hours of work experience in a health and social care environment and 4 external examinations.
EQUIPMENT:
There is no specific equipment required but as all assignments are completed digitally you must have a fully functioning iPad or laptop.
SKILLS:
You will need to have skills in independent learning and research and to be reflective as well as effective communication both verbally and in written form.
ASSESSMENT:
If you are studying health and social care as one of your three subjects you are following the “extended certificate” qualification. This is equivalent to 1 A level and has the same UCAS points. You will study FOUR modules, unit 1 and unit 2 which are assessed by external exams, and unit 5 and an optional unit which are assignment based and are assessed by your teacher.
The “extended diploma” is equivalent to 3 A level subjects and again carries the same weighting for university applications. In this course you complete 13 modules, 3 externally assessed by examinations, unit 4 which is task based and assessed externally and the remaining units are assignment based.
FUTURE PROSPECTS:
The BTEC in Health and Social Care combines with almost all AS or A level subjects and thus will support applications for social work, nursery nursing, healthcare of the elderly and other health related courses. There is a very wide range of employment opportunities and further vocational training following successful completion of this course. Past students have gone on to do nursing, occupational therapy, play leadership, nursery nursing, teaching and youth work.
WHAT DO OUR STUDENTS SAY:
“If you want to go into healthcare I don’t think you could choose a better course.”
“It’s a different way of learning.”
“I really enjoyed the childhood development topic.”