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Exmouth Community College

Exmouth Community CollegeAcademy Trust

Health & Care

BTEC LEVEL 3 Extended CERTIFICATE IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

Examination board specification: BTEC Level 3 Exended Certificate in Health and Social Care

This is a two year programme that is equivalent to one A level. If you see yourself working with children or adults in a helping capacity, then this course is for you.  Possible careers that can lead on from this qualification are social work, teaching, midwifery, paramedic, radiography, theatre nurse/ODP worker, occupational therapy, nursing and many more.

This course is a two-year course equivalent to one A-Level.

What does the course involve?

You will:

  • Be introduced to the biological, psychological and sociological theories associated with human development
  • Apply, assess and evaluate a range of psychological theories associated with human development to real-life scenarios
  • Examine factors affecting individual’s growth and development such as the environment or genetic inheritance
  • Explore the physical effects of ageing and the theories that help to explain psychological changes
  • Analyse and evaluate situations in case studies to reflect on the promotion of equality and diversity including the values and skills needed to care and support vulnerable people
  • Analyse ethical issues in health and social care and write a report on how an ethical approach benefits people using health and social care services

How will I be assessed?

60% examination based and 40% coursework based. 

  • Human Lifespan - Exam
  • Working in Health and Social Care - Exam
  • Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs - coursework 
  • Supporting Individual with Additional Needs - coursework. 

Next steps:

This two-year course is equivalent to one A level and will be taken alongside other qualifications. On completion of this course you may choose to enter employment or, depending on your overall grades, progress to higher education.

What can Health and Social care lead me?

  • BSc (Hons) in Paediatric Nursing/Midwifery
  • BSc (Hons) in Social Work
  • BA (Hons) in Primary Education

BTEC NATIONAL DIPLOMA in Health and Social Care

This is a two-year programme that is equivalent two A Levels. If you see yourself working with children or adults in a helping capacity, then this course is for you.  Possible careers that can lead on from this qualification are social work, teaching, midwifery, paramedic, radiography, theatre nurse/ODP worker, occupational therapy, nursing and many more.

This course is a two-year course equivalent to two A-Levels

What does the course involve?

You will:

  • Cover the content outlined in the Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care in Year 12 (please see the information on the website) and in Year 13 you will:
  • Complete 100 hours of work experience in a Health and Social Care setting. You will have support from your teacher to set up your placement.  There are opportunities to work in the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. You may even go into theatre and observe operations.
  • Engage in current research and investigate a current health and social care issue using a literature research methodology
  • Explore the principles of safe working practice in health and social care and the policies and procedures in place to protect individuals from harm
  • Evaluate the success of public health campaigns and approaches used to promote and protect health and prevent disease.

How will I be assessed?

50% examination based and 50% coursework based.

  • Human Lifespan - exam
  • Working in Health and Social Care – exam
  • Enquiries into current research - exam
  • Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs - coursework
  • Supporting Individual with Additional Needs – coursework
  • Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care – coursework
  • Promoting Public Health - coursework
  • Work Experience in Health and Social Care – work placement and coursework

Next steps:

This two-year course is equivalent to two A levels and will be taken alongside one other subject. On completion of this course, you may choose to enter employment or, depending on your overall grades, progress to higher education.

What can Health and Social care lead me?

  • BSc (Hons) in General Nursing/Paediatric Nursing/Midwifery
  • BSc (Hons) in Social Work
  • BA (Hons) in Primary Education

BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Children’s Play, Learning and Development

Working with children clearly needs to be an interest of yours if you are considering this course. You will study children from birth to 7 years and 11 months. As part of the course, you will complete a minimum of 50 hours mandatory work experience.

You will:

  • Complete a minimum of 50 hours of work experience in an early years setting
  • Learn a range of psychological theories and models that can inform patterns of children’s growth and development
  • Be able to apply a range of psychological theories and models that inform children’s growth and development to real-life scenarios
  • Learn about brain development and the importance of stimulating play on the developing brain
  • Demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of key concepts, key activities, processes and theories that promote the development of children’s communication, language, literacy and numeracy

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed through two externally set exams and two course work units.

This two year course is equivalent to one A level and will be taken alongside other qualifications. On completion of this course, you may choose to enter employment or depending on your overall grades, progress to higher education.

It can be taken alongside, for example:

  • A level 3 BTEC in Health and Social Care and an A Level in Biology which could lead to a BSc (Hons) in Paediatric Nursing
  • A level 3 BTEC in Health and Social Care and an A Level in English which could lead to a BA (Hons) in Childhood Studies
  • A level 3 BTEC in Health and Social Care and an A Level in History, which could lead to a BA (Hons) in Primary Education.