Sixth Form: Health and Social Care

Subject Overview

An advanced level Health and Social Care qualification is of the same standard as a traditional A level but with a different focus. Studying for a vocational award is different in several ways from most GCSE work and from studying for traditional A levels.

• You take more responsibility for your own learning, for planning your work, for undertaking your own investigations and for keeping proper records of what you have done.
• You have to take responsibility for your own programme of study just as you will take responsibility for whatever job you do in the future.
• Much of your vocational learning will be done through carrying out your own enquiries and investigations, often in connection with assignments set by me.

Your investigations may involve:

• research in libraries and resource centres
• visits to work places and interviews with people who work there
• meetings with local employers and care practitioners who visit us
• surveys of people’s activities, preferences and opinions
• studies of people, places and organisations that relate to the health and social care area
• work experience with local care organisations

Overall, you will be actively investigating the vocational area of health and social care and presenting your findings in various ways, including giving talks and presentations. Studying Health and Social Care to AS and/or A level will help you to:

• gain a good knowledge and understanding of the work of health, social care and early years organisations
• develop skills that will enable you to make an effective contribution to the work of care organisations, e.g. skills in communication, research, evaluation and problem-solving

Specification Summary

You will study six units over the 2 years as follows:

Each unit is given equal weighting (33% each). The PROMOTING QUALITY CARE and UNDERSTANDING HUMAN BEHAVIOUR modules are exam assessed; the others are assessed through coursework.

What is this course about?

This course aims to develop your understanding of health, social care and early years working environments and to give you the opportunity to apply that learning in a practical and realistic way.

The AS courses focus on the needs of people requiring care and/or support from health, social care or early year’s services. Aspects covered in the AS units include:

Promoting Quality Care (F910)

• Attitudes and prejudices
• Rights and responsibilities of people who use services and providers
• Facilitation of access to services
• Values of care
• How organisations promote quality care.

Communication in Care Settings (F911)

• Types of communication
• Factors that support and inhibit communication
• Communication skills
• Theories relating to communication
• Interaction with the person who uses services(s)/practitioner(s)

Promoting Good Health (F912)

• Principles of health and well-being
• Preventative measures and job roles
• Planning a health promotion campaign
• Carry out a health promotion campaign

The A2 courses focus on the organisations and professionals that provide health, social care and early year’s services. Aspects covered in the A2 units include:

Care, Practice and Provision (F919)

• Planning and provision of services
• Effects of national policy and legislation on care practice and provision
• How quality assurance is promoted by services
• Conducting a survey relating to quality assurance
• How services and practitioners meet individual needs
• Ways in which practitioners within services work in partnerships

Understanding Human Behaviour (F920)

• Factors influencing human development
• Theories of human development
• The application of theories to aid the understanding of human behaviour and development.

Mental Health Issues (F923)

• The concept of mental health
• Types of mental illness
• Causes of mental illness and effects of mental illness
• Preventative and coping strategies
• Support for people with mental-health needs

Complementary Subject Combinations and Enrichment Activities

Health and Social Care links very well with Sociology and Psychology.

What do people do with a Health and Social Care qualification?

When you have gained a qualification in Health and Social Care you will have access to a range of further education and vocational career opportunities. The GCE in Health and Social Care is a recognised academic qualification and is an excellent preparation for higher education courses such as diploma and degree courses in: health studies; nursing; social work; teaching; child development; youth and community work; counselling; physiotherapy; occupational therapy; dietetics; midwifery; health visitor; geriatric or child care - in fact any work that involves interacting with, and caring for people.

Other Information

How will my work be assessed?

Two thirds of the course (4 units) is internally assessed through portfolio assignments (coursework) that are set by the exam board and marked by me. The assignments are written around the assessment evidence criteria included in each unit specification. Each assignment will have a deadline to meet. There are clear guidelines as to what must be produced and you will be given guidance and help whenever necessary. The work that you produce is assessed against these criteria so you should get to know them well and understand what is required of you before you begin any assessment work. This work will be externally moderated in either January or June, depending when the assignment is completed. Each assignment is separately graded (A - E) and relates to a point system, which relates to your final grade at the end of the course. There is an opportunity to re-submit coursework to enhance your final grade.

Only one third of the course (2 units) is assessed through externally set and marked exams. The externally set tests are 90 minutes long in which you have to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the unit contents being tested. The tests can be taken in January and June each year. The grade received for the exams are included in your final grade. There is an opportunity to re-sit examinations to enhance your final grade.

The overall assessment is modular, allowing you to learn in bite-sized chunks to suit individual learning styles.

Coursework Structure

You will need to produce a portfolio for each coursework module (one for COMMUNICATION; one for HEALTH PROMOTION). Each portfolio is broken down into four sections, or AOs as follows:

Assessment Objectives

Each unit requires you to work towards the following assessment objectives in order for you to be successful:

• AO1 – Knowledge, understanding and skills
  You must be able to demonstrate relevant knowledge, understanding and skills
• AO2 - Application of knowledge, understanding and skills
  You must be able to apply your knowledge, understanding and skills
• AO3 – Research and analysis
  You must use appropriate research techniques to obtain information from a range of sources. You must be able to analyse work related issues and problems.
• AO4 – Evaluation
  You must be able to evaluate evidence, make reasoned judgements and draw conclusions about work related issues.

What are the lessons like?

A range of teaching and learning styles are used throughout the course: teacher presentation with discussion, pair work, group work, student presentation, role play, individual research, external speakers, e-learning, videos and practical work. In addition you will have the opportunity to do work placements during the two years of this course.

For further information contact Mrs G Loran