Helston Community College

Health & Social Care Diploma

What does the course involve?
This is a work-related qualification designed to make you aware of employers' needs as well as allowing progression to university and employment. This qualification has been designed for learners who are intending to go onto further study in a related sector or plan to go in at entry level employment or Apprenticeship within health and social care. It supports access to a range of higher education courses if taken as part of a programme of study that includes another BTEC or A Level alongside it. It provides you with the opportunity to study Health and Social care at level 3, as a double A level equivalent allowing you to keep your options open and choose up to two other A level subjects. You can plan these additional subjects to meet the admissions criteria for certain professions.

You will study 8 units over 2 years - 6 are mandatory and 2 additional units.

During the first year 4 units are studied:

Human Life span Development
Working in Health and Social Care
Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs
Physiological Disorders and their care

During the second year 4 units are studied:

Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care
Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care
Promoting Public Health
Nutritional Health

How will my work be assessed?
There are three main forms of assessment that you need to be aware of: external, internal and synoptic. Five Units are assessed through assignments - set and marked internally. One unit is assessed through a task - set and marked by the awarding body and two units are assessed through written exams - set and marked by the awarding body. These assessments enable you to attain a grade of either:

Pass
Merit
Distinction
Distinction*

A final cumulative grade is awarded at the end of the course.

What can I do afterwards?
The Diploma can gain progression to Higher education, entry level employment or Apprenticeship within health and social care. Many students progress onto university to follow related courses and plan to take their additional A levels to fit the admissions criteria for their chosen subject/s. Students who have chosen science and social sciences as additional A levels are more likely to be accepted on health related degrees for example nursing, physiotherapy, occupational health. Students can also use the qualification to apply for other degrees and related degrees in teaching, social work, childhood and youth studies and early years.

What qualifications do I need?
You will need the general college requirements of 4 grade 4s or equivalent GCSE qualifications.