Welcome to the Health and Social Care Department

Health & Social Care is a subject which places emphasis on developing transferable skills, such as research, analysis and evaluation, as well as academic achievement.  With the demographics in the UK changing rapidly and the population living longer, the health and social care sectors will experience huge growth over the next few years.

Our courses are accessible to all students from teachers who have passion for the subject.  Each student can expect support, quality teaching, resources and feedback, praise and reward.  Many students enjoy the course and this is reflected in the 2016 results, A2 - 100% A* - C, AS - 88% A* - C and GCSE - 80% A*A* - CC.

Health and Social Care lends itself to many different career paths, including, nursing, midwifery, early years, teaching, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, care of individuals with specific needs, health promotion and many others.

Our department aims are:

  • To provide our students with knowledge and skills to help them investigate and understand the range of all health and social care sectors
  • To develop learners' ability to contribute positively to good practice in a health and social care environment through effective use and combination of the knowledge and skills gained in different parts of the course
  • To motivate individuals to progress onto further or higher education courses associated within a related health and social care sector

Key Stage 4

Year 10 - Unit 1 - Understanding Personal Development and Relationships

This unit is externally assessed and will count towards 40% of the final GCSE grade in Year 11.  Health, Social Care and Early Year's practioners need to understand the different ways people grow and develop during their lives.  This unit focuses on human growth and development across the whole lifespan.  Students are expected to be able to describe and explain the patterns of physical growth and change, and the physical, social, intellectual and emotional development that typically take place in each life stage.  The unit will also develop knowledge and understanding of patterns of human growth and development.  Key aspects of learning will be:

  • The stages and patterns of human growth and development
  • The different factors that can affect human growth and development
  • The development of self-concept and personal relationships
  • Major life changes and how people manage the effects of these
  • The role of relationships in personal development

The external assessment duration is 1 hour 15 minutes using the A* - U grading system.

Year 11 - Unit 2 - Exploring Health, Social Care and Early Year's Provision

This unit is assessed via a controlled piece of coursework and will count towards 60% of the final GCSE grade in Year 11.  Health, Social Care and Early Year's practioners need to develop knowledge and understanding of the range of care needs of major service user groups and the services that exist to meet these needs.  This unit will develop knowledge and understanding of the range of needs individuals have and the provision which exists to meet these needs.

Key aspect of learning will include:

  • The range of care needs of major service user groups
  • The types of services which exist to meet service user needs
  • How services have developed and how they are organised
  • The ways in which people can obtain care services and the barriers which could prevent service users gaining access to these care services
  • The main roles and skills of people providing health, social care and early year's services
  • The principles of care and values which underpin all care work with service users

The coursework ouline is changed annually and could be based on any one of the following settings:

  • Early Year's
  • Care of Older People
  • Healthcare or Individuals with Specific Needs

Coursework will be assessed using A* - U grading system.

Key Stage 5

At Key Stage 5 this double award subject (equivalent of 2 A Levels) will give students the knowledge and skills that will prepare them for university or employment.  The course is assessed via internally assessed pieces of coursework which are externally moderated and will allow students to access the full range of grading criteria from Distinction* to a Pass.  The units listed below may be subject to change.

Year 12

Students will study a range of units totalling 120 credits over Year 12 and Year 13.  The following units will be completed over the course of year:

Unit 1 - Developing Effective Communication in Health and Social Care

Unit 2 - Equality, Diversity and Rights in Health and Social Care

Unit 3 - Health, Safety and Security in Health and Social Care

Unit 4 - Development Through the Lfe Stages

Unit 6 - Sociological Perspectives for Health and Social Care

Unit 7 - Psychological Perspectives for Health and Social Care

Unit 12 - Physiological Disorders

Year 13

In Year 13 the following units will be completed:

Unit 15 - Health Promotion

Unit 17 - Research Methodology (linked with Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification)

Unit 31 - Public Health

Unit 32 - Safeguarding Children and Young People

Unit 33 - Medication Use

The above units may be subject to change.

Health and Social Care lends itself to many different career paths, including, nursing, midwifery, early years, teaching, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, care of individuals with specific needs, health promotion and many others.

In 2014 and 2015, 100% of our A2 students achieved a place in their chosen university.  Health and Social Care is considered a beneficial subject if you are considering nursing, midwifery, early years, teaching, social work as a career.  Volunteering is encouraged in a helath and care setting as it helps students both to understand topics covered decide on future careers.

You must meet the school requirements of 5 grade C GCSE passes, and there is no requirement to have GCSE Health and Social Care, but it is beneficial.