Health and Social Care

Subject

Health & Social Care

Exam Board

For more information contact Head of Department:

Mrs K Winwood - kwinwood@stedmunds.org

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Level 3 BTEC Health and Social Care is being replaced nationally by the new AAQ qualifications. The new qualifications start from September 2025 and have a greater focus on human biology and physiology.

Students selecting this qualification must be confident in GCSE Biology.

For further details please contact Mrs Winwood, Curriculum Leader for Social Science

Brief introduction to subject:

This award is for learners to gain a nationally recognised vocationally specific qualification to enter employment in the Health and Social Care sector.

About 3 million people work in health and social care. Health care roles include doctors, pharmacists, nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, while social care roles include care assistants, occupational therapists, counsellors and administrators. Together, they account for nearly one in ten of all paid jobs in the UK. Demand for both health and social care is likely to rise, so they will continue to play a key role in UK society and the demand for people to carry out these vital roles will increase.

What our students say

"This subject will help me to get into the career I want." "I can decide later which direction to go in the future as this covers so many different options."

Course Requirements

Science - Grade 5-5 in Trilogy Combined

This OCR Cambridge Advanced National qualification in Health and Social Care is an Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ) designed for sixth-form students looking to progress to university-level study in health and social care fields. It's equivalent in size to an A-Level and provides a blend of academic theory and practical, applied skills.

What you'll study:

The course content aims to equip you with essential knowledge, understanding, and skills relevant to the health and social care sector. Key areas typically include:

Principles of Health and Social Care: Understanding the core values, ethics, and legal frameworks governing care.
Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care: Learning about the human body and how it relates to health conditions and care.
Person-centred Approach to Care: Focusing on individualized care planning and respecting the needs and preferences of service users.
Supporting People with Mental Health Conditions: Developing an understanding of mental health, common conditions, and how to provide appropriate support.
Health and Safety: Essential knowledge and practices for maintaining safe environments in care settings.
Equality, Diversity, and Rights: Promoting inclusive practices and understanding the rights of individuals.
Potentially optional units covering areas like:
- Supporting people with long-term physiological conditions.
- Investigating public health strategies.
- Supporting people in relation to sexual health, pregnancy, and postnatal care.
- Supporting healthy nutrition and lifestyles.

Assessment:

Assessment typically involves a combination of:

Externally assessed units: These focus on your subject knowledge and understanding, often through examinations.
Non-examined assessment (NEA) units: These are applied or practical assignments where you demonstrate your skills in real-life contexts.

Who is this course for?

This qualification is ideal for students who have a genuine interest in working in the NHS or affiliated services, such as nursing, midwifery, social work, paramedic science, physiotherapy, or public health. It complements A-Level studies in subjects like Biology, Psychology, and Sociology.

To progress to higher education vocational qualification. University courses such as nursing, midwifery, early years, social work, occupational therapy.