We follow the Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Award specification
Who is the qualification for?
The qualification is for learners who want to acquire technical knowledge and skills in a vocational context as part of their Key Stage 4 learning. The qualification recognises the value of learning skills, knowledge and vocational attributes to complement GCSEs. It will broaden your experience and understanding of the varied progression options available to you.
What does the qualification cover?
The Award gives you the opportunity to develop sector-specific knowledge and skills in a practical learning environment. In Years 10 and 11, the main focus is on four areas of equal importance:
- Development of key skills that prove your aptitude in health and social care such as interpreting data to assess an individual’s health
- Process that underpins effective ways of working in health and social care, such as designing a plan to improve an individual’s health and wellbeing
- Attitudes that are considered most important in health and social care, including the care values that are vitally important in the sector, and the opportunity to practise applying them
- Knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, process and attitudes in the sector such as human growth and development, health and social care services, and factors affecting people’s health and wellbeing.
This Award complements the learning in programmes such as GCSE English. It will also complement the more theoretical aspects covered by GCSE Biology or GCSE Psychology by allowing you to apply your knowledge and skills practically in a vocational context.
The course is made up of three components studied over a two year period:
- Human Lifespan Development 30% - internally assessed assignments
- Health and Social Care Services and Values 30% - internally assessed assignments
- Health and Wellbeing 40% - externally assessed task
The components are interrelated and they are best seen as part of an integrated whole rather than as totally distinct study areas.
The three-block structure, explore, develop and apply, has been developed to allow you to build on and embed your knowledge. This allows you to grow in confidence and then put into practice what you have learned.
The three components focus on the assessment of knowledge, skills and practices. They are all essential to developing a basis for progression and, therefore, you need to achieve all components in order to achieve the qualification.
The assessment structure is also designed so that you can build on what you learn, and develop your assignment skills, as we move through the course.
Scheme of Learning
Students will have 3 periods per week for this subject
Year 10
Autumn Term 1: Human Lifespan Development
Learning Aim A: Understand human growth and development across life stages
Assignment 1
Autumn Term 2: Human Lifespan Development
Learning Aim B: Investigate how individuals deal with life events
Assignment 2
Spring Term 1: Human Lifespan Development
Learning Aim B: Investigate how individuals deal with life events
Assignment 3
Spring Term 2: Health and Social Care Services and Values
Learning Aim A: Understand the different types of health and social care services and barriers to accessing them
Summer Term 1: Health and Wellbeing
Learning Aim A: Factors that affect health and wellbeing
Summer Term 2: Revision and Assessment
Year 11
Autumn Term 1: Health and Wellbeing
Learning Aim B: Interpreting health indicators
Autumn Term 2: Health and Wellbeing
Learning Aim C: Person-centred health and wellbeing improvement plans
Spring Term 1: Revision and External Exam
Spring Term 2: Health and Social Care Services and Values
Learning Aim B: Demonstrate care values and review own practice
Assignment 5
Summer Term 1: Health and Wellbeing
Learning Aim A: Factors that affect health and wellbeing
Summer Term 2: Revision and Exam Re-take
This course will help you to make more informed choices for further learning, either generally or in this sector. Your post-16 choices will depend on their overall level of attainment across Key Stage 4.
Learners who generally achieve at Level 2 might consider progression to A Levels as preparation for entry to higher education or they might wish to study a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in Health and Social Care. The latter prepares learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or they could move on study a degree in aspects of health or social care.
Learners who generally achieve at Level 1 might consider progression to study at Level 2 in a range of technical routes designed to lead to work, employment, apprenticeships or to further study at Level 3. Alternatively they could study towards a Technical Certificate in health and social care. Learners who perform strongly in this qualification compared to their overall performance should strongly consider this progression route as it can lead ultimately to employment in the health or social care sector.
Some learners may wish to build on an interest in human growth and development but take it in a different direction (at either Level 2 or Level 3) by studying for qualifications in Early Years education.