Exam Board Pearson Edexcel 
Qualification Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Health and
Social Care (Extended Certificate).

 

Entry

Requirements

Merit in Health or Grade 4 in English Language or Literature

 

Content

(Outline of

Course)

This Level 3 BTEC qualification in Health and Social Care has been designed with employers and representatives from higher education and professional bodies. In this way, the qualification covers all the knowledge and skills that are required for working in the health and social care sector. Students will undertake 4 units of study during the programme that cover a range of topics ranging from the theoretical principles of how individuals develop to promoting anti-discriminatory and ethical practice in healthcare. All students will be offered opportunities to undertake work experiences in a care setting. Although this is not a mandatory requirement of the programme, it is highly recommended as a means of developing skills and expertise needed for entry into employment or higher education.

The qualification has three mandatory units covering the following topics:
· Human Lifespan and Development – PIES and factors affecting growth and development, interventions and the different professionals providing care and treatment
· Human Biology and Health – Human body structure and systems, normal physiological functioning and the impact of common disorders
· Health and Social Care Practice – Core principles, values and legislation that underpin and influence health and social care, and the effect of social determinants on an individual health status
Students have a choice from four optional units covering the following topics:
· Health, Social Policy and Wellbeing – Public health policy and its influences, including health-related organisations/groups and a range of strategic factors
· Promoting Health Education – Health education, its purpose and use of different approaches and models to achieve positive health outcomes
· Safe Environments in Health and Social Care – Appropriate provisions in services
relevant to different needs; governance relating to safe environments

· Health Science – Types of infections and their potential impact on a local, national and international scale.

 

Assessment Students undertake 4 units to complete the programme of study. Students must complete three mandatory units and one optional unit.

The mandatory units are:

1. Human Lifespan and Development (External assessment – 80 marks).

2. Human Biology and Health (External assessment – 80 marks).

3. Principles of Health and Social Care Practice (Internal assessment)

50% of the total qualification GLH is made up of external assessment. A summary is given below.

The assessment of synoptic knowledge requires students to apply learning from one unit
to the assessment in another unit. Within the assessment for Unit 3: Principles of Health
and Social Care Practice, students will be assessed on underpinning knowledge, ideas and concepts from Unit 1: Human Lifespan and Development and Unit 2: Human Biology and Health.

 

Careers Guidance There are more than 300 distinct career pathways in the health and social care sector. When taken alongside other relevant qualifications, it can lead to a Higher Education degree pathway in an array of health and social care programmes such as nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, social work, and occupational therapy.

 

Key Information

Transition Work

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Reading List

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