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Health and Social Care

Why study health and social care?

Curriculum

Health and Social Care is both a challenging and rewarding Key Stage 4 subject that students have the choice to select during their Year 9 option choices to study in Year 10 and 11.

There is an increasing demand for health and social care professionals within the UK and globally, and the sector requires competent and knowledgeable contributors and practitioners to shape it to ensure the best outcomes for all.

The OCR Level 2 Cambridge National qualification in Health and Social Care introduces students to the specialist knowledge and skills needed to work in various care settings. Health and Social Care is all about physical health and wellbeing, mind and body, including mental health and respect. Underpinning the qualification is a focus on core values and communicating with individuals so as to maintain their dignity and sense of being valued. 

How is the course structured?

In Year 10 students are taught two units:

R033: Supporting individuals through life events 

Optional unit R035: Health promotion campaigns

These units are assessed internally through four topic areas. Students are first taught the knowledge they require to be able to produce the assignment work that will be internally assessed by their teacher. All units are moderated by the exam board and the department and academies across the Trust will carry out their own moderation.

Each of these units are worth 30% of the overall grade. 

They will each take 36 guided learning hours (GLH).

 

In Year 11 students are taught the remaining unit:

R032: Principles of care in health and social care setting

This unit is externally assessed by a 1 hour 15 minute examination which can only be sat at the end of the course in Year 11. 

This exam unit is worth 40% of the overall grade.

Further details of the units

This unit is assessed by an exam.

In this unit you will learn about the key topics that are important when caring for and protecting people in health and social care. 

These topics include:

Area 1: The rights of service users in health and social care settings

Area 2: Person-centred values

Area 3: Effective communication in health and social care settings

Area 4: Protecting service users and service providers in health and social care settings

This unit is assessed by a Set Assignment.

In this unit you will learn about the growth and development through the life stages. You will also learn how to understand the needs of individuals who have been affected by life events and how to recommend support to meet their needs. 

These topics include:

Area 1: Life stages

Area 2: Impacts of life events

Area 3: Sources of support

This unit is assessed by a Set Assignment.

In this unit students will research health promotion campaigns and learn about their benefits to society. They will also plan and deliver their own health promotion campaign. 

Topics include:

Area 1: Current public health issues and the impact on society

Area 2: Factors influencing health

Area 3: Plan and create a health promotion campaign

Area 4: Deliver and evaluate a health promotion campaign

Curriculum Plan

 

Autumn 1

Autumn 2

Spring 1

Spring 2

Summer 1

Summer 2

Year 10

 

 Unit R033 Supporting Individuals through life stages

(Internal)

Topic 1: Life Stages

Topic 2: Impacts of life events

Assessment internally marked, but externally moderated

Unit R033 Supporting Individuals through life stages

(Internal)

Topic 2: Impacts of life events Ctd.

Assessment internally marked, but externally moderated

Topic 3: Sources of support

Assessment internally marked, but externally moderated

Unit R035 Supporting Individuals through life stages

(Internal)

Topic 1: Current public health issues and impact on society

 

Unit R035 Supporting Individuals through life stages

(Internal)

Topic 2: Factors influencing health and wellbeing

Assessment internally marked, but externally moderated

 

Unit R035 Supporting Individuals through life stages

(Internal)

Topic 3: Plan and create a health promotion campaign

 

Topic 4: Deliver and evaluate a health promotion campaign

Assessment internally marked, but externally moderated

 

RO33 and RO35 Re-teach

 

Year 11

 

Unit R032 Principles of care in health and social care settings

(external)

Topic 1: Individual Rights

 

*Current Y11 are studying RO32 and RO35 (Curriculum adjusted due to change of course in Y10)

Unit R032 Principles of care in health and social care settings

(external)

Topic 2: Person-centred values

Topic 3: Effective communication skills in health and social care settings.

Unit R032 Principles of care in health and social care settings

(external)

Topic 4: Protecting service users

Unit R032 Principles of care in health and social care settings

(external)

Revision 

  

*  The course has changed from the BTEC Tech Award in Health and Social Care. Up to this point, students had been studying content that would prepare them for the examined unit: R032 Principles of care in health and social care settings.

what knowledge and skills will be developed?

 To work in a health or social care setting, it is essential to understand the rights of individuals, person-centred values and how they can be applied. This qualification
will help students to develop this knowledge and to understand the importance of effective communication skills when working in these settings. They will also develop the skills needed to ensure a safe and hygienic environment for those in care.
These skills will help students to progress onto further study in the health and social care sector. This may be Level 3 vocational qualifications, such as the Cambridge Technical in Health and Social Care; A levels in Psychology, Biology or Sociology and the following apprenticeships:

  • Adult care worker
  • Allied Health Profession Support
  • Health and Social Care
  • Healthcare science assistant
  • Maternity and Paediatric Support
 

It is anticipated that this qualification will also enable students to progress onto a T Level, such as Health and Healthcare Science.