Exam Board – Edexcel

Qualification – Level 3 national extended certificate

Entry requirements – GCSE grade 4 in English and maths

Course specification

Year 1

Unit 1: human lifespan and development

Learners cover physical, intellectual, emotional and social development across the human lifespan, and the factors affecting development and the effects of ageing. This unit is assessed with an external exam sat at the end of year 1.

“I enjoyed studying health and social care because it lets you look at the areas that interest you the most, so you can make the course suit you and your future plans.”

– Student

Unit 5: meeting individual care and support needs

This unit looks at the principles behind providing quality care and support. It introduces the values and issues that need to be considered, when planning care and support, that meet the needs of an individual in a health and social care environment. This includes values and principles, ethical issues, factors impacting professionals, challenges faced and how they can be overcome, methods used by professionals, including multi-agency working. The unit is assessed through internal controlled assessment activities.

Year 2

Unit 2: working in health and social care

This unit explores what it is like to work in the health and social care sector and the responsibilities held by staff, including maintaining safety and safeguarding individuals with health and social care needs, handling personal information professionally and preventing discrimination. You will learn about the services provided and the barriers that can prevent people accessing services. You will also learn about working with people with specific needs, including ill health, learning disabilities, physical and sensory disabilities, and the needs of people who occupy different age categories.

Unit 12: supporting individuals with additional needs

This unit aims to give you specialist knowledge crucial to ensuring that those with additional needs meet their full potential, including how equal opportunities are ensured, diversity is respected and suitable environments for all are created. It explores a range of additional needs and how services work together to assess and provide for these needs, investigating how challenges can be overcome. Finally it explores legislation, frameworks and politics that support the rights of individuals.

What doors will this open up for me?

The course promotes understanding, empathy, communication and professionalism, skills valued in any work place. More specifically, progression through the health and social care course will allow students to apply for further education courses and vocations in a range of health and social care professions and settings, including careers in a range of health care roles, nursing, social care, childcare, teaching and therapy.

Learning journey

Our learning journeys can be used to understand each subject in more detail.

Health and social care