BTEC Health & Social Care
Introduction
Health and Social Care is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK with demand for both health and social care employees continuously rising. In 2021/22 the adult social care sector was comprised of around 17,900 organisations across 39,000 care-providing locations with 1.79 million posts (1.62 million filled posts and 165,000 vacancies). The number of full-time equivalent filled posts was estimated at 1.17 million and the number of people working in adult social care was estimated at 1.50 million in 2021/22; the NHS has 1.4 million employees.
Social care employees such as care assistants and social workers work with individuals to support them to be as independent as possible in their own homes, in care homes or nursing homes. Healthcare employees, such as doctors, pharmacists, nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants and physiotherapists, work with individuals to enhance their quality of life by improving their health. Approximately 3 million people are currently employed in the sector. In 2019, it was estimated that by 2035 approximately 2.17 million health and social care job vacancies will need to be filled.
What Will I Study?
This course will give you the opportunity to develop knowledge and technical skills in a practical learning environment. You will also develop key skills relevant to the health and social care sector such as research techniques and how to measure someone’s physical health. You will also develop your written communication skills as you create health and wellbeing plans for an individual with specific needs.
Everyone taking this qualification will study three components, covering the following content areas:
- Component 1 – Human Lifespan and Development gives you the opportunity to study how people grow and develop over the course of their lives, from infancy to old age. You will also look at the factors that may affect growth and development throughout the lifespan, such as life-changing events like marriage or death of a partner. You will explore how individuals cope with these changes, as well as investigate the types of support available to help them.
- Component 2 – Health and Social Care Services – you will investigate common services as well as those for specific needs and consider how they may work together to meet an individual’s needs. You will examine the barriers to individuals accessing services and how they may be overcome. You will explore the skills, attributes and values that are required in health and social care, and their importance in making sure that the people who use these services get the care they need.
- Component 3 – Health and Wellbeing explores the factors that can have a positive or negative influence on an individual’s health and wellbeing. You will learn to interpret physiological and lifestyle indicators, and what they mean for someone’s state of health. You will learn how to use this information to design an appropriate plan for improving someone’s health and wellbeing, including short and long term targets. Additionally, you will explore the difficulties an individual may face when trying to make these changes.
How will I be Assessed?
This course is comprised of two internally assessed controlled assignments which are completed in class under supervised conditions. The controlled assessments for components 1 and 2 are internally assessed and externally moderated by Pearsons. In Year 11, you will have one externally assessed exam which is synoptic and assesses content you have studied throughout the course. The exam is worth 60 marks and is 2 hours long.
Career Opportunities
Once you have completed the qualification, you will have developed a practical understanding of the health and social care sector. You will have built useful skills, which are not generally covered in GCSE courses, and you will have developed a good understanding of whether the health and social care sector is for you, and if so, which part of it you might want to study further. If you decide to go on to further study health and social care, the best option for you will depend on the grades you have achieved in this and the other qualifications you have taken, and what you enjoy doing. You could progress to a Level 2 Technical Certificate or to a Level 3 programme, such as A Levels, a T Level or a BTEC National, either on its own or in combination with A Levels.
Exam Board: Pearson BTEC
Course Code: 60370476
Contact information
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