(BTEC National Diploma – 2 year course, equivalent to 2 A Levels)
Why study Health & Social Care?
The BTEC specification uses a combination of assessment styles to give learners confidence they can apply their knowledge to succeed in the workplace – and have the study skills to continue learning on higher education courses and throughout their career.- The range of vocational assessments – both practical and written – mean learners can showcase their learning and achievements to best effect when they take their next step, whether that’s supporting applications to higher education courses or potential employers.
Why study Health & Social Care at Solihull Sixth Form College?
- Learners will have the opportunity through vocational learning experience to interact with the health, social care and early years sectors.
- There will be opportunities to develop knowledge of Higher Education through a variety of organised activities.
- Learning and assessment takes a variety of formats from essay style assessments through to presentations of research. A variety of teaching methods and learning experiences will be used ranging from classroom-based activities through to visiting specialist speakers.
- Studying for the Diploma allows you to choose one of a wide range of A level subjects alongside to support your interests and career ambitions.
Course Outline
6 mandatory units, including 3 units of external assessment and 3 units of internal assessment, comprising of 83% of the total BTEC course:
Unit 1: Human Lifespan Development (external assessment)
Unit 2: Working in Health and Social Care (external assessment)
Unit 4: Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care (external assessment)
Unit 5: Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs (internal assessment)
Unit 7: Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care (internal assessment)
Unit 8: Promoting Public Health (internal assessment)
Learners must also complete 2 optional units, both internally assessed, comprising 17% of the total BTEC course. Currently the Health & Social Care team have chosen:
Unit 10: Sociological Perspectives (internal assessment)
Unit 11: Psychological Perspectives (internal assessment)
Assessment
42% external assessment will consist of three written exams and one set case study completed under supervised conditions. All external assessment is set and marked by the exam board.
58% internally assessed coursework will be written and marked in college by the teaching staff.
Examining Board – Pearson
Special Entry Requirements
Our standard BTEC Level 3 National Diploma equivalent entry requirements apply.
Prohibited Options
This course is equivalent to 2 A levels and an A level or BTEC Extended Certificate can be studied alongside it. However, this course cannot be combined with the one A level equivalent BTEC Extended Certificate course in Health & Social Care. If learners want to study only Health & Social Care, they should choose the 3 A level equivalent BTEC Extended Diploma course instead.
What do our learners go on to do?
On completion of this qualification, you can progress into employment in the Health & Social Care industry or alternatively you will be able to apply directly to University to enrol on courses to become nurses, paramedics, midwives, occupational therapists and social workers for example. Please note that for some of these careers, having achieved Science GCSE at grade 4 or above may be necessary.
Complementary Subjects or Enrichments
Subjects such as Sociology, Psychology, Biology and English complement the type of study required on this course. Learners are encouraged to take voluntary work experience as part of the enrichment programme.
This information is correct for September 2024 entry.