This programme is for post-16 learners who want to continue their education through applied learning and who aim to progress to higher education and ultimately to employment in the health and social care sector, including a wide range of frontline service roles.
The qualification delivered is the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care, equivalent in size to three A Levels. It has been designed to be the only qualification in a two-year, full-time study programme; it is an in-depth study of the health and social care sector.
Working in health care
The health studies pathway in the qualification is more scientific in nature, and learners will select from a wider range of health science units. This will support learners applying for degree programmes that require greater prior science knowledge. This can include certain degree programmes in:
- Radiography
- Midwifery and Nursing
- Paramedic Science
- Podiatry
- Healthcare Science
- NHS Practitioner Training Programme
What is social care? Social care provides physical, emotional and social support to help people live their lives to the fullest. For various reasons, and at different stages in their lives, some people will need support to develop and maintain their independence, dignity and control. Social care provides a whole range of services to support adults and older people.
You could help people in their own homes, in residential homes, day centres, or supported housing. In this capacity, you’ll support people with their non-clinical needs, although there is an important crossover between working in clinical health and working in social care.
Because of the increasing number of disabled younger adults living longer and the growing number of older people needing care, adult social care is growing, and the sector needs at least another half a million jobs—and people to do them—by 2030.
What you'll learn
You will gain a broad introduction to the field of health and social care through projects and assignments based on realistic workplace situations as well as supervised work experience.
At the end of the course, you may decide to go directly into work, or you could enter higher education. The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with higher education to ensure it supports progression to higher study. Employers and professional bodies have also been involved, ensuring that the content is also appropriate for those interested in working in the sector.
Throughout this course, you will learn the necessary knowledge and skills needed to be successful in a career in the health and social care sector. You will learn about the various care settings, as well as get a chance to apply all you’ve learnt during the course into a practical setting during your work experience.
Mandatory units
- Human Lifespan Development
- Working in Health and Social Care
- Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care
- Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care
- Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs
- Work Experience in Health and Social Care
- Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care
- Promoting Public Health
Work placements in health and care settings are essential to the course and provide valuable links between theory and practice.
How you'll learn and be assessed
You learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations and activities.
Work Placements
This is a two-year programme that includes a minimum of 100 hours of industry placement during each of the two years of the programme.
The purpose of these placements is two-fold:
- You gain practical, real-life experience of working in your desired profession and gain practical, hands-on knowledge to help you graduate from the programme
- You build relationships with potential colleagues and employers; it helps you get your foot in the door at your desired workplace
Many students secured jobs with good prospects through these placements.
Assessment
All units are internally assessed and graded. A selected sample is externally assessed, and an overall grade for the qualification is awarded at the end of the course.
Progression
This qualification is the main focus of a two-year study programme and is equivalent to three A Levels, meaning learners will be fully prepared for a range of health and social care degree programmes.
The qualification is intended to carry UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements to many relevant courses, for example:
- BSc (Hons) in Nursing
- BA (Hons) in Social Work
- BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy
- BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy
- BSc (Hons) in Speech Therapy
- BA (Hons) in Health and Social Care
Entry requirements
You will require 5 GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including English Language, Maths, and Science.
