Health & Social Care

What will I study on the course?

You will carry out tasks and activities that will help you learn about some of the real issues in health and social care such as:
• The human body – how it works and what can go wrong – illness and disease.
• How we grow and develop throughout our lives – physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally.
• What is a healthy diet and the effects of a poor diet e.g. obesity, diabetes and heart disease.
• How to communicate effectively with different clients – children, the elderly or the disabled.
• Complementary therapies – their advantages or disadvantages in treating e.g. back pain, compared to orthodox treatments.
• A research project of your choice. Recent topics include: our understanding of risks, attitudes to smoking, alcohol and mental health issues and changing views on breast vs bottle feeding.

Work placements

You will have a placement on one day per week. This helps you to put what you have learned into practice. You will have three placements in e.g. nurseries, primary schools, nursing or residential homes, and day centres (the elderly and people with disabilities and learning difficulties). One popular option is a short residential placement with a national charity providing respite care (short breaks for people with disabilities and carers).

What sort of things will I be doing on the course?

• Investigate your own diet using computer programmes to identify possible health issues.
• Assess your own health and fitness using appropriate tests and procedures.
• Role plays and scenarios to practise your communication skills.
• Carry out a risk assessment in a care setting to see if you can identify and manage potential hazards.
• Use case studies to explore the effects of ageing or disability.
• Design and carry out a piece of research on a topic of your choice.

Assessment

You will be assessed through a range of written and practical projects, oral presentations and written reports e.g. on your work placements. There are no written examinations.

What can I go do after I've completed this course?

You could study a wide range of courses at university, including those related to Health or Social, or go directly into employment with the option of further training e.g. NVQs. Some students are offered employment as a result of successful work placements.

In 2011 75% of students went on to higher education to study nursing, midwifery, radiotherapy, and teaching/early childhood studies. Other options include social work and occupational therapy.

Paston Sixth Form College has a Progression Accord with University Campus Suffolk which gives our students the option to study locally for a wide range of degree courses after completing their BTEC.

Entry requirements

Either
• A minimum of five GCSEs at grade A*- C, including English/English Language and Mathematics or a Science.
Or
• A merit/distinction in a Level 2 BTEC Diploma in Health and Social Care plus grade C or above in GCSE English/English Language.