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Health and Social Care

What is Health and Social Care?

Why study Health and Social Care?

The Health and Social Care Department is devoted to preparing and enabling students for this ever-changing world, by raising awareness, expanding their experiences and knowledge of the Health Care and Social Care Sectors.  

The NHS, whom is the world fifth largest employer, employs 1.2 Million people.  The Social Care sector employs 1.6 million, with a third of these based within South East of England and London. 

Another 0.5 million work within Early Years Care.  These figures equate to a total of 10% of the workforce working with the Health, Social Care and Early years sectors (Skills for Care 2019, Department for Education 2019). 

Another 5.4 million provide unpaid care for a friend or family member, this is 8% of the overall population (NHS England, 2019).   Trends predict these figures will continue to rise over the next 15 years, with around 22% of the overall population being over 65 years of age, estimating a need of 2.24 million people employed within the Social Care sector with an additional need of 9 million unpaid carers. 

Therefore, there is a high likelihood that students will be employed within the Health, Social Care or Early Years sectors, or even find themselves as an unpaid carer. 

This subject aims to prepare students for future careers with any of these sectors, or to prepare them with the skills needed if they become a carer for a friend of relative.

For any enquries please contact Director of Department: Gemma.Browne@astorschool.com

 

What will I learn?

KS4

Learners will be following the OCR Cambridge National Level 2 Certificate in Health and Social Care specifications, and there will be continous assessment throughout the two years of study.

 

What will I learn and what skills will I develop?

This subject inspire and enthuse learners to consider a career in the health and social care sector, or in a related sector where knowledge of health and social care will be of use, such as early years. 

Learners will be encouraged to be  independent and creative.  Topics that are covered inculde examining skills in the health and social care sector such as the underpinning care values and an understanding of the different life stages that individuals’ move through, as well as learning practical communication skills.

 

Assessment

Excellent attendance is a must as every lesson counts.  The assessment is two centre assessed units (NEA) and one externally assessed (exam). Sticking to deadline is essential in order to reach your full potential in this subject.

 

Curriculum content

RO35 Health Promotion Campaigns - taught and assessed in year 10. 

The UK has faced many public health challenges in modern times. Public health campaigns are used in a variety of ways to engage the public and to encourage physical, intellectual, emotional and social health and wellbeing, as it is vital to society that people remain healthy. 

Students are given a current health issue and they plan and deliver their own health education campaign, then evaluate the effectiveness of this.  Topics have been obesity, mental health, alcohol consumption and physical activity.

RO33 Supporting individuals through life events - taught and assessed in year 11.  

On our journey through the stages of life we experience many life changing events and are influenced by many factors that affect growth and development.

Students need to research growth and developement during a particular lifestage, whilst explaining how external factors can infulence this growth and development.  Students will choose an individual to interview to establish the effects that two life events have had on their development.  Then recommending different support groups that could help them with any challenges faced.

RO32 Principles of care in health and social care settings - this unit is taught across both year 10 and 11, externally assessed at the end of Year 11. 

Whether you want a career in a health or social care setting, understanding rights, the person centred-values and how they can be applied is vital.  Communicating effectively with service users you are caring for, and creating a care environment that is safe and hygienic for service users and service providers is also essential for the health and wellbeing of individuals requiring care. 

This unit focuses on the importance of the rights of service users, person-centred values and how to apply them. Importance of effective communication skills when providing care and support for service users in health and social care settings and the procedures and measures used to protect individuals such as safeguarding, hygiene and security are also explored.

 

Where will this course lead me?

This course will support progression to a more specialised level 3 vocational or academic health and social care course or an apprenticeship or, more broadly, progression to qualifications in other sectors, such as early years give learners the potential opportunity, in due course, to enter employment within a range of junior job roles across the health and social care sector.

Health-Social-Care-curriculum-document-2023-4.pdf

KS5

Learners will be following the Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care.  This qualification is for learners 16 years old or over who want to study Health Science, Social Care or Childcare.

This qualification isn’t just about caring for babies or the elderly and the ill; it will provide learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding to progress into Higher Education on a health and social care-related programme such as Health and Social Care, Nursing, Social Work or Early Childhood Studies.

The qualification is designed to be taken as part of a study programme alongside other vocational qualifications or A levels, such as Cambridge Technicals in Science, A level Biology, A level Physics or Cambridge Technicals in Engineering.

 

What skills will I learn and what skills will I develop?

This course offers many opportunities for you to experience various aspects of the Health Care and Social Care sector.  The units will give you an understanding of health and social care in the wider contexts of different environments and settings where care takes place, the importance of effective communication in health and social care, the importance of legislation in health and social care and how to deliver a person-centred approach in the care given. Learners will also develop transferable skills such as communication, research, planning and organisation.

Excellent attendance is a must as every lesson counts.  Time management is a very important skill as being able to manage your assignments alongside your other studies is imperative.  Your ability to work independently  as well as in a team is also important during studying Health and Social Care here at Astor College.

 

Assessment

Assessment is three examinations and three assignments.  All six units must be passed.

 

Curriculum Content

Unit 2 - Equality and Diversity in H&SC - taught and examined in Year 12

Everyone is different and everyone has rights. Promoting equality and respecting diversity and rights in health, social care and child care environments is essential in today’s very diverse society. Whatever role you have, or aspire to, in health, social care or child care, an effective practitioner must be able to provide care that meets the needs of individuals and that supports their rights. Many individuals who use health, social care or child care environments can be vulnerable and dependent on others; this means that practitioners’ attitudes, values and prejudices can significantly affect the quality of care, individuals who require care or support experience.


This unit will help you to understand the implications of diversity on practice and also the effects of discriminatory practice on individuals who require care or support. You will also gain an appreciation of how legislation and national initiatives can support and promote anti-discriminatory practice. 

 

Unit 3 - Health, Safety and Security in H&SC - taught and examined in Year 12

What does it mean to be ‘safe’? Safety and being safe is a basic human need.  Consciously or subconsciously we all take practical steps to stay safe. All individuals have the right to work in a safe environment and individuals who require care or support also have a right to be safe in health and social care contexts. As a result, there are responsibilities that practitioners must actively promote in order to provide and maintain a safe environment for colleagues and the individuals who require care and support.  This unit introduces you to health, safety and security in health and social care. You will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to equip you in maintaining a safe working environment for yourself, your colleagues and individuals who require care and support. 

You will learn how legislation, policies and procedures work to reduce risks in health and social care and the consequences of not following them. You will also learn how to respond to different incidents and emergencies with health and social care settings.

 

Unit 4 - Anatomy and Physiology in H&SC - taught in Year 12 & 13 and examined in Year 13

This unit aims to introduce you to the basic structure and functions of the body systems involved in everyday activities and maintenance of health, including cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems. You will also understand the part played by organs such as the pancreas, liver and kidney. You will investigate the systems and organs involved in detecting and responding to change such as the nervous system as well as the eyes and ears.

Unfortunately, things do go wrong and each system has well-known diseases and disorders. Also, as individuals grow older, they are likely to be affected by malfunctions as a result of degeneration. Some of these will simply be inconvenient; others will be life-changers. You will understand the effects on individuals and what has to be done on a daily basis to enable them to lead as full and independent a life as possible.

 

Unit 1 - Building Positive Realtionships in H&SC - taught and internally assessed in Year 13

This unit aims to introduce you to the many different relationships that you will encounter within the health and social care sector; whether with colleagues, senior members of staff, other professionals within the sector or individuals who require care and support. By doing this unit you will apply communication and relationship building skills in a practical way, considering how different factors, including context, can impact on the building of positive relationships. You will also be introduced to the concept of the person-centred approach which will help with your relationship building skills.  

This unit has assessment to be completed in a care setting, and can be completed during year 12 work experience.

 

Unit 10 - Nutrition for Health - taught and internally assessed in Year 13.

Eating is a daily activity for most of us. How does what we eat impact our health? What is healthy eating? How do we promote healthy eating? As future practitioners, it is important to understand the impact of nutrition on well-being and health. Rising levels of obesity are leading to increases in heart conditions, diabetes and liver disease. To the NHS, the costs of treating ill-health caused by poor diet are soaring. Many health and social care practitioners are involved in the provision of meals, so it is important you understand and can explain good nutrition.

This unit introduces nutritional health and the components of good nutrition. You will have the opportunity to scrutinise different foods, consider their health benefits and investigate how to support other people to impact their health and well-being.

 

Unit 13 - Sexual Health, Reproduction and Early Development stages - taught and internally assessed in Year 13

Health and wellbeing is not just relevant when you are an adult; it is just as relevant when you are a child and, as this unit demonstrates, health and wellbeing is of vital importance even before you are born. How can you be sexually healthy? What types of contraception are available? These kinds of questions are essential in contributing to an individual’s overall health and wellbeing.

The health and wellbeing of an individual who is pregnant and the process of birth is impacted by many factors. How do you care for a newborn? What needs does a newborn have and how does this differ to a one-year-old?

All these questions will be considered in this unit. This unit will look at the development from conception to a one-year-old child. On successful completion you will have a sound understanding of the importance of sexual health and contraception. You will understand pre-natal health and the various stages of pregnancy and the factors that could have an impact.

 

Where will this course lead me?

This course will support progression to a more specialised level 3 vocational or academic health and social care course or an apprenticeship or, more broadly, progression to qualifications in other sectors, such as early years give learners the potential opportunity, in due course, to enter employment within a range of junior job roles across the health and social care sector.

 

Health-Social-Care-curriculum-document-2023-4.pdf

Assessment schedule

Bespoke Assessment and Homework Schedule for Health and Social Care 

Assessment and homework should be meaningful and should allow for effective feedback and should encourage the students to develop their metacognition skills.  

KS4 Assessment Schedule 2023-4 

Year 10 

Term 

Curriculum 

Assessment 

Homework** 

New Topic R032 TA3 & TA2 

 

Book scrutiny (feedback in folders) 

Crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Exam questions/paper self-assessed and with individual feedback 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Key terminology for unit – spellings, test sentences 

 

Quizlets/ form quizzes Literacy and retrieval) 

New topic RO35 TA 1&2 

Coursework assessment – crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Coursework assessment – verbal feedback 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Key terminology for unit - spelling, test sentences 

 

Quizlets/ form quizzes Literacy and retrieval) 

RO35 TA3 

Coursework assessment – crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Coursework assessment – verbal feedback 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Key terminology for unit - spelling, test sentence  

 

Quizlets / form quizzes Literacy and retrieval) 

RO35 TA4 

Coursework assessment – crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Coursework assessment – verbal and formative assessment 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Key terminology for unit  

 

Quizlets/ form quizzes Literacy and retrieval) 

Recap Unit R032 TA3 

Book scrutiny (feedback in folders) 

Crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Exam questions/paper with individual feedback 

Progress review: self-assessment 

RO35 grades to OCR 15th May 

Key terminology for unit – spellings, test sentences 

Quizlets/form quizzes Literacy and retrieval) 

Recap Unit R032 TA2 

 

Book scrutiny (feedback in folder) 

Crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Exam questions/paper with individual feedback 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Key terminology for unit – spellings, test sentences 

 Quizlets/ form quizzes Literacy and retrieval) 

** Supported with wider media outlets and reading for pleasure materials 

 

 

KS4 Assessment Schedule 2023-4 

Year 11 

Term 

Curriculum 

Assessment 

Homework** 

New Unit RO33 

TA1 

Coursework assessment – crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress. 

Coursework assessment – verbal assessment 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Key terminology for unit – spellings, test sentences 

Forms quizzes (literacy & retrieval) 

 

RO33 TA2 

Coursework assessment – crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress. 

Coursework assessment – verbal assessment 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Key terminology for unit – spellings, test sentences 

Forms quizzes (Literacy and retrieval) 

RO33 TA3 

 

 

 

Coursework assessment – crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Coursework assessment – verbal and formative assessment 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Key terminology for unit – spellings, test sentences 

 

Exam questions/papers 

 

Quizlets / forms quizzes (Literacy and retrieval) 

RO32  

TA1 

Book scrutiny (feedback in folders) 

Crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Exam questions/paper with individual feedback 

Progress review: self-assessment 

RO32 

TA4 

Crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Exam questions/paper with individual feedback 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Exam practice / forms quizzes (Literacy and retrieval) 

RO33 Revision and exam practice 

Exam questions/paper with individual feedback 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Exam practice / forms quizzes (Literacy and retrieval) 

 

RO32 Exam Wednesday 5th June 2024 

End of course  

 

* Supported with wider media outlets and reading for pleasure materials 

 

 

KS5 Assessment Schedule 2023-24 

Year 12 

Term 

Curriculum 

Class assessment 

Homework** 

 

 

New Topics Unit 2 LO1 & 2 

 

Unit 4 LO1  

Folder/Book scrutiny  

Crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Exam questions – self assessment paper with individual feedback 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Exam questions/papers 

Quizlets/ form quizzes (Literacy and retrevial) 

Reading activity- function of blood 

Unit 2  

LO3 & 4 

 

Unit 4 LO2 

Folder/Book scrutiny  

Crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Exam questions – self assessment paper with individual feedback 

Progress review: self-assessment  

Exam questions/papers 

Quizlets/form quizzes (Literacy and retrevial)  

Reading activity - COPD 

 

 

Unit 4 LO3  

 

New Unit 3 LO1 & LO2 

 

Unit 2 Exam 10th January 2024 

Folder/Book scrutiny  

Crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Exam questions – self assessment paper with individual feedback 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Exam questions/papers 

Quizlets/ form quizzes (Literacy and retrevial) 

Reading activity - IBS 

Unit 4 LO4  

 

Unit 3 LO3 & LO4

Folder/Book scrutiny  

Crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Exam questions – self assessment paper with individual feedback 

Progress review: self-assessment  

Exam questions/papers 

Quizlets / form quizzes (Literacy and retrevial 

Reading activity - arthritis 

 

Unit 3 Revision  

 

 

Unit 4 LO6 

Unit 3 Exam 16th May 2024, resit Unit 2 14tth May 

Unit 4: Folder/Book scrutiny  

Crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Exam questions – self assessment paper with individual feedback 

Progress review: self-assessment 

 

 

Exam questions/papers 

Quizlets/ form quizzes (Literacy and retrevial 

Reading activity - glaucoma

Unit 4 LO6 

 

 

Unit 1 LO4 

 

Unit 4 Folder/Book scrutiny  

Crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Exam questions/paper with individual feedback 

Unit 1:  Coursework assessment – crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Individual feedback on draft learner work- located in assessment folders 

 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Exam questions/papers 

Quizlets / form quizzes (Literacy and retrieval) 

Reading activity - glaucoma 

Course work completion through work experience (P4, P5, M3) 

 

 

 

 

** Supported with wider media outlets and reading for pleasure materials 

 

KS5 Assessment Schedule  

Year 13 

Term 

Curriculum 

Class assessment 

Homework** 

1    

Unit 4 LO5 

 

 

 

 

 

Unit 1 

Unit 4 Folder/Book scrutiny  

Crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Exam questions/paper with individual feedback 

 

Unit 1:  Coursework assessment – crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Individual feedback on draft learner work- located in assessment folders 

Progress review: self-assessment  

Exam questions/papers 

Quizlets / form quizzes (Literacy and retrieval) 

Reading activity - Kidney 

Course work completion  

Unit 4 Revision 

 

 

New Topic Unit 10 

Unit 4 Folder/Book scrutiny  

Crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Exam questions/paper with individual feedback  

Unit 10: Coursework assessment – crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Individual feedback on draft learner work- located in assessment folders 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Exam questions/papers 

Quizlets / form quizzes  

(Literacy and retrieval) 

Key terminology for unit – spellings, test sentences 

Coursework completion 

Unit 10 

 

New Unit 13 

Unit 4 Exam Monday 15th January 2024 

Coursework assessment – crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Individual feedback on draft learner work- located in assessment folders  

Progress review: self-assessment 

Unit 1 external moderation (end of January) 

Coursework completion 

 

 

Unit 13 

Coursework assessment – crib sheets in staff planner to summarise whole class progress 

Individual feedback on draft learner work- located in assessment folders 

Progress review: self-assessment 

Coursework completion 

 

 

 

 

Resit exam Unit 3 16th May and Unit 4 20th May  

Units 10 and 13 external moderation (June) 

Exam questions/papers 

 

Coursework completion 

 

End of course 

 

 

** Supported with wider media outlets and reading for pleasure materials 

 

2024 Examination Dates

KS4

Unit R032 Principles of care in health and social care settings

  • Wednesday 5th June 2024 (1hr)

KS5

Unit 2 Equality, Diversity and Rights in Health and Social Care 

  • Monday 15th January 2024 (1.5hrs)
  • Thursday 16th May 2024 (1.5hrs)

Unit 3 Health, Safety and Security in Health and Social Care

  • Friday 12th January 2024 (1.5hrs)
  • Thursday 16th May 2024 (1.5hrs)

Unit 4 Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Social Care

  • Monday 15th January 2024 (2hrs)
  • Monday 20th May 2024 (2hrs)

H&SC Disciplinary Language

Disciplinary language is the explict subject specfic terminology that the students will need to learn, understand and use in their assessments in Health and Social Care.

We learn subject specific terminology using a range of methods - spelling tests, test sentences, reading activities, exam questions, modelling and scaffolding and lots of practice and repetition in everyday conversations.

Using these terms correctly will enable students to access the higher mark banks within their assessments. 

Accessing the recommended subject specific reading lists as well as the enrichment activities will help develop students understanding and use of Health and Social Care terminology.

 

HSC-Disciplinary-language-2023-4.pdf

Core Textbooks & Revision Guides

We use the OCR exam board for our Health and Social Care courses.  OCR works actively with publishers to ensure that their qualifications are supported by a range of high-quality teaching and learning resources, including textbooks. 

Please see below the OCR endorsed textbooks and revision guides we use in school.  All students will have access to these, and they can be purchased using the ISBN.

 

KS4-Textbooks-Revision-Guides.pdf

KS5Textbooks-and-Revision-Guides-1.pdf

 

 

Literacy within Health & Social Care

Wider Reading Health and Social Care

16.4% of adults in England, or 7.1 million people, can be described as having 'very poor literacy skills'  Adults with poor literacy skills will be locked out of the job market, they won't be able to support their child's learning.

Here are some books that you can read for pleasure, they cover some key themes we study in Health and Social Care.

How many of these have you already read?  Can you recommend any others?

H&SC Wider Reading

Vocational-Literacy-Policy.pdf

Enrichment activities to support H&SC curriculum

Application and development of subject knowledge and understanding through wider media outlets and reading for pleasure materials: 2023-24 

 

Health-and-Social-Care-Enrichment-Suggestions-to-support-curriculum.pdf