KS4 Health and Social Care
Health and Social Care is a rewarding subject that helps students understand human development, health and wellbeing, and how care services support individuals and communities.
Students build key skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving and empathy, while gaining insight into one of the UK’s largest employment sectors. The course also provides a strong foundation for further study and careers in health, social care and other people-focused professions.
The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Health and Social Care is an engaging vocational qualification designed for students aged 14-16. Equivalent to one GCSE, the course introduces learners to the health and social care sector and develops knowledge, practical skills, and understanding of the services that support individuals throughout their lives. The qualification is ideal for students interested in healthcare, social care, childcare, nursing, and other people-focused professions.
Course Details
Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Health and Social Care
Course Description
This course provides students with an introduction to the health and social care sector. Learners explore human growth and development, health and wellbeing, and the importance of care values when supporting individuals. The qualification encourages students to apply their knowledge to realistic situations and develop skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, planning, and evaluation.
Students will investigate factors that affect health and wellbeing and learn how health and social care practitioners support individuals at different stages of life.
Programme of Study
The qualification is structured around three components:
Component 1: Human Lifespan Development
Students explore:
- Physical, intellectual, emotional and social development
- Life stages from infancy to later adulthood
- Factors affecting growth and development
- Life events and how individuals adapt to change
Component 2: Health and Social Care Services and Values
Students learn about:
- Health and social care services
- Barriers to accessing services
- Skills, attributes and values required by care professionals
- Person-centred care and effective communication
Component 3: Health and Wellbeing
Students:
- Explore factors affecting health and wellbeing
- Interpret health indicators
- Design health and wellbeing improvement plans
- Recommend strategies to meet individual needs
Assessment
The qualification is assessed through a combination of coursework (60%) and external assessment (40%).
Internal Assessment (60%)
- Component 1: Human Lifespan Development
- Component 2: Health and Social Care Services and Values
These components are assessed through assignments completed during the course and marked by teachers before external moderation by Pearson.
External Assessment (40%)
- Component 3: Health and Wellbeing
Students complete a synoptic assessment in which they apply their learning to a vocational scenario and develop a health and wellbeing improvement plan. The assessment is set and marked by Pearson.
Home Learning
Students will be given homework tasks each week to complete. These will be set on Showbie.
Where Can Health and Social Care Take You?
The course provides an excellent foundation for further study and careers in health and social care.
Further Study
Students may progress to:
- Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care
- A Levels
- T Levels
- Other vocational qualifications in health, care, childcare, or public services
Careers
The qualification introduces pathways towards roles such as:
- Nurse
- Midwife
- Paramedic
- Social Worker
- Occupational Therapist
- Healthcare Assistant
- Care Worker
- Counsellor
- Physiotherapist
How Can Parents Support Their Child’s Learning?
- Encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, including good nutrition, exercise and sleep.
- Discussing physical and mental wellbeing and the factors that affect health.
- Talking about how people grow and develop through different life stages.
- Exploring the role of the NHS and other health and social care services.
- Encouraging empathy, communication and respect for others.
- Supporting independent research and revision for assessments.
Useful Links
- NHS – https://www.nhs.uk
- Health for Teens – www.healthforteens.co.uk
- BBC Bitesize – https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
- The King’s Trust – https://www.kingstrust.org.uk
- NHS Health Careers – https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk
- Mind – https://www.mind.org.uk
- YoungMinds – https://www.youngminds.org.uk
