Health & Social Care
The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Health and Social Care aims to provide an introduction to the Health and Social Care sector through applied learning. It is for learners who are interested in learning about the Health and Social Care sector as part of a balanced study programme which includes theoretical study alongside application of skills as well as enrichment activities such as possible attendance on NHS Discovery Days, where students get to experience first hand the work of the local NHS Trust.
The National Certificate (1 year) is equivalent in size to 0.5 of an A Level and will be delivered over 5 teaching units in a week (180 guided learning hours)
The BTEC National Certificate in Health and Social Care is made up of 2 units, both mandatory, of which 1 is external: Unit 1 Human Lifespan Development; and the other is a piece of portfolio work assessed internally: Unit 5 Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs.
Both units are worth 50% of the whole course.
Students who are successful in completion of the Certificate in Health and Social Care during Year 12 can carry on into Year 13 to complete the BTEC National Level 3 Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care which is the equivalent of one A level (360 guided learning hours). The Extended Certificate qualification requires students to complete a further two units of work in addition to those studied during Year 12.
Year 12
Unit 1- Human Lifespan Development (Externally Assessed)
Unit 5- Meeting Individual Care Needs (Internally Assessed)
Year 13
Unit 2- Working in Health and Social Care (Externally Assessed)
Unit 14- Physiological Disorders and their care (Internally Assessed)
Externally-assessed units:
Unit 1 Human Lifespan Development and Unit 2; Working in Health and Social Care are both assessed under specified conditions, then marked by Pearson and a grade awarded. The external assessments are 1 hour 30 minutes in length and uses extended writing to answer set questions. Testing will take place in January and May/June, with the first assessment in January 2020.
Internally assessed units:
Unit 5 Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs and Unit 14 Physiological Disorders and their Care are internally assessed units of coursework. This means that a student is set and assessed on an assignment that provides them with the opportunities to: write up the findings of their own research; use case studies to explore complex or unfamiliar situations; carry out projects for which they have choice over the direction and outcomes; demonstrate practical and technical skills using appropriate work based values and practices.
The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate/ Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care is generally taken alongside other qualifications as part of a two year programme of learning. This will enable students to progress to a degree programme chosen from a range of programmes in the health and social care sector e.g. nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy and social work.
Health and Social Care is the largest employment sector in Peterborough. There are many opportunities for apprenticeships and employment in this sector upon completing this qualification. Course tutors work with careers provision within the school to help students realise their chosen destination.
