Health and Social Care

Powerful Knowledge

Students will develop professional and personal skills through interaction with people who either work in the sector or require care or support, as well as theoretical knowledge and understanding to underpin their skills. This will allow them to offer specific, person-centred care and support and build positive relationships with the people they are working with, so that their needs and requirements are met whilst they maintain control of their own care and support. Students will consider the real impacts to people living with conditions or illnesses such as the social, financial and psychological impacts, not just the signs, symptoms and treatment of faceless conditions or illnesses. Students will also learn about the legislation and guidance supporting health and social care, so that they can ensure the people they are working with are not only able to access all the care and support they are entitled to, but are also able to protect themselves from any harm or abuse whilst at work.

Literacy

There are many opportunities to develop verbal and written literacy in Health and Social Care through the variety of ways we work. These include research through websites and a variety of texts from different sources, presentations, role play and group discussions and assessed written coursework in essay and report style  with feedback and improvement advice.

School Context

The Health and Social Care course lends well to a local and national context. Students focus on care values and health and social care experiences in the local area and further afield, including learning from visiting local professionals, undertaking work experience in local health, social and child care providers and researching need and provision  in the locality.  In a national context, students explore country based needs and shortfalls, research national news stories around individual cases and wider investigations and explore national legislation.

Assessment

We offer Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate  and Diploma (equivalent to 2 A levels). Half our assessments are internally assessed - involving portfolio based assignments covering a variety of topics. During these units, students have the opportunity to research and  explore content in a variety of ways, sharing ideas and giving and receiving feedback, before completing portfolio tasks which are then moderated. In externally assessed units, students prepare to sit exams after having covered course content, received feedback on their work and used practice exams and mock  papers and mark schemes to improve their examination skills. Students are regularly quizzed, usually at the start of lessons, this provides retrieval and spaced practice across their course, ensuring time is provided to revisit content so that it is retained long term.

Careers

The Cambridge Technicals in Health and Social Care has been developed to meet the changing needs of the sector, and prepare students for the challenges they’ll face in Higher Education or employment. Designed in collaboration with experts spanning the breadth of the sector, the Cambridge Technicals in Health and Social Care focuses on the skills, knowledge and understanding that today’s universities and employers demand. Students will practically apply their skills and knowledge in preparation for further study or the workplace. This course prepares for a career in the health care sector, social care and within child care at all levels.