Specification:

BTEC National Level 3 Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care

Qualification type:

BTEC Qualification, equivalent to A Level

Entry criteria (GCSE grades):

Pass in Health and Social Care or 4 in English

Subject description:

This two-year qualification, offered at four-unit  level, gives a broad vocational introduction to Health & Social Care. Students are actively encouraged to experience not only the theoretical aspects detailed below, but also to  make use of case studies to apply theory to real life cases and perform their own research to help with assignments.

Units studied:

Year 12

*  Human lifespan development – External examination

*  Meeting individual care and support needs – Internal portfolio

Year 13

*  Working in Health and Social Care – External examination

*  Psychological perspectives – Internal portfolio

or

*  Psychological disorders and their treatment - internal portfolio

How the course is assessed:

A combination of portfolio and external assessment is used, with external examiners verifying the quality of the internal portfolio assignments. There are two external examinations, one in each year, which total 58% of the final grade. The internal portfolio assignments are mostly completed within lesson time, allowing students to be supported in finishing them to the best of their ability. The overall grading is either Distinction, Merit or Pass level which each have an equivalent A Level grade and UCAS points.

Post-18 opportunities:

Further studies in Higher Education on such courses as Social Work, Criminology, Midwifery, Clinical Psychology, Radiography, Nursery, Mental Health or Adult Nursing are all possible routes to take. Apprenticeships within the Health & Social Care are also popular choices.

Teacher responsible: Ms R Scales