Health and Social Care
Subject Leader: Mrs Natasha Southall
Subject Leader Email Address: natasha.southall@swale.at
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
MAHATMA GANDHI
Subject overview
If you want to pursue a career in Health and Social Care, you will be working in a sector that is dedicated to helping other people and improving their lives. It is an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career path. It pulls together many different disciplines to help us understand people and their needs. It combines biology, sociology, psychology, anatomy, and ethics.
Year 10
Term 1 to Term 3
Learners will explore different aspects of growth and development and the factors that can affect this across the life stages. They will explore the various events that can impact on individuals’ physical, intellectual, emotional and social (PIES) development and how individuals cope with and are supported through changes caused by life events.
Topic: Component 1 - Human Lifespan Development
Enquiry Questions:
- How do individuals grow and develop across different life stages, and what are the factors that affect this process?
- How can specific factors affect the PIES growth and development of individuals in different life stages?
- How do different life events have an impact on an individual's growth and development - physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially?
- What are the different sources of support that can help an individual adapt to various life events?
- What are the different types of support that are available to help an individual adapt to various life events?
- How can character traits influence how individuals cope with life events?
Term 4 to Term 5:
Topic: Pearson Set Assignment (PSA) Controlled Assessment
Non-exam internal assessment set by the exam board, marked by the centre and moderated by the exam board. The Pearson-set Assignment will be completed in approximately 6 hours of supervised assessment. Worth 60 marks.
Term 6:
Learners will explore health and social care services and how they meet the needs of service users. They will also study the skills, attributes and values required when giving care.
Topic: Component 2 - Health and Social Care Services and Values
Enquiry Question:
- How do healthcare services work together to meet the needs of an individual?
- How do social care services meet the needs of an individual?
- What barriers can an individual face when accessing services in health or social care
- How do health and social care professionals demonstrate the skills, attributes and values required when delivering care to an individual?
Year 11
Term 1 to Term 2
Topic: Pearson Set Assignment (PSA) Controlled Assessment
Non-exam internal assessment set by the exam board, marked by the centre and moderated by the exam board. The Pearson-set Assignment will be completed in approximately 6 hours of supervised assessment. Worth 60 marks.
Term 3 to Term 5
Topic: Component 3 Health and Wellbeing
Enquiry Questions:
Topic 1: Understanding Health and Wellbeing
- What is health and wellbeing, and what's the difference between the two?
- How do physical, intellectual, emotional, and social factors affect a person's health?
- What are the key life events that can impact a person's health and wellbeing?
Topic 2: Investigating Factors Affecting Health and Wellbeing
- How do lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, and smoking, influence health?
- What are the environmental and social factors that can affect a person's health and wellbeing?
- How do health conditions and major life events impact an individual's wellbeing?
Topic 3: Planning a Health and Wellbeing Improvement Plan
- How do you collect and interpret health data from an individual?
- What are the key components of an effective health and wellbeing improvement plan?
- How can you set realistic and achievable goals for a person's health plan?
Topic 4: Implementing and Reflecting on the Plan
- What's the best way to present a health improvement plan to an individual?
- How can you monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of the plan?
- What are the key challenges in implementing a health improvement plan, and how can they be overcome?
Sixth Form Year 12
Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Health and Social Care (Extended Certificate)
Course outline:
The Pearson BTEC National in Health and Social Care (AAQ) is an engaging and practical course designed for students interested in a career in the healthcare and social care sectors. This qualification provides a comprehensive exploration of the health and social care sector. The qualification has three mandatory units covering the following topics:
- Human Lifespan and Development – PIES and factors affecting growth and development, interventions and the different professionals providing care and treatment
- Human Biology and Health – Human body structure and systems, normal physiological functioning and the impact of common disorders
- Health and Social Care Practice – Core principles, values and legislation that underpin and influence health and social care, and the effect of social determinants on an individual's health status
Students will also have the opportunity to delve into specialised areas, such as promoting public health, understanding mental wellbeing, or exploring the application of psychological perspectives in care settings.
Unit 1: Human Lifespan and Development
Students examine physical, intellectual, emotional and social development across the human lifespan, the interaction between biological and social factors in health and wellbeing and how health care professionals provide effective care.
Term 1 to Term 6
A: Human growth and development through the life stages
Enquiry questions:
- What are the key stages of human growth and development from birth to later adulthood?
- How do physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development change across the lifespan?
- What are the expected milestones for each developmental stage, and how can they be used to monitor a person's progress?
B: Factors affecting human growth and development across each life stage
Enquiry questions:
- How do genetic and biological factors influence a person's growth and development?
- What is the impact of environmental and socio-economic factors on an individual's development?
- How can a person's lifestyle choices, such as diet and exercise, affect their development across different life stages?
C: Health and social care promotion, prevention and treatment at different life stages
Enquiry questions:
- What is the role of health and social care services in promoting healthy development at different life stages?
- How are health promotion, prevention, and treatment strategies adapted to meet the needs of individuals at various points in their life?
- What is the importance of early intervention in addressing developmental delays or health issues in children?
Unit 2: Human Biology and Health
Students explore the organisation, structure, and normal physiological functioning of the human body, as well as the effects on health of common disorders affecting the body systems.
Term 1 to Term 6
A: Organisation of the Human Body
Enquiry questions
- How does the body progress from cells to organ systems?
- What are the key functions of the main cell types and tissues in the human body?
- How do organs work together to form a system?
B: Body Systems and Their Functions
Enquiry questions:
- What are the primary functions of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems?
- How do the digestive and excretory systems work to maintain a healthy body?
- What is the role of the nervous and endocrine systems in coordinating and controlling body functions?
- How do the musculoskeletal and reproductive systems contribute to a person's overall health and development?
C: Disorders of the Body and Their Effects
Enquiry questions:
- What is the difference between a disorder and a disease, and how do they impact body systems?
- How do common disorders like diabetes or asthma affect the normal functioning of body systems?
- Why is it important for health and social care workers to understand the effects of chronic illnesses on an individual's wellbeing?
- What are the psychological and social effects of a physical disorder on an individual.
How is the course assessed?
Assessment is a combination of exams and coursework, ensuring students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills in various ways.
Approximately 50% of the qualification is externally assessed through written examinations, and the other 50% is internally assessed through practical assignments and projects.
This balanced approach helps students develop both academic and vocational skills.
Year 13
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care
Course outline:
The Pearson BTEC National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care is an engaging and practical course for students considering a career in the health, social care, or early years sectors. This qualification is an excellent complement to A-levels, providing a balanced study program. Universities and employers widely recognise it as a valuable qualification for entry into the sector.
Unit 3: Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care
Term 1 to Term 3
Learning Aim A: Understand the Organisation of the Human Body and the Major Body Systems
- What is the hierarchy of the human body, from cells to organ systems, and how do these levels relate to one another?
- What are the primary functions of the skeletal and muscular systems, and how do they work together to enable movement?
- How do the cardiovascular and respiratory systems interact to transport essential gases and nutrients throughout the body?
- What is the role of the nervous and endocrine systems in coordinating the body's responses to internal and external changes?
- How does the digestive system break down food and absorb nutrients, and how does the urinary system maintain the body's fluid balance?
Learning Aim B: Examine the Impact of Disorders on the Body Systems
- How does an understanding of a specific disorder, such as asthma or diabetes, help health and social care professionals provide appropriate care?
- What are the short-term and long-term effects of a physiological disorder on an individual's daily life and wellbeing?
- How can a person's lifestyle, environment, or genetics increase their risk of developing a specific disorder?
- Why is it important for health and social care workers to have a holistic understanding of how a disorder in one body system can affect others?
Learning Aim C: Explore the Use of Health Monitoring and Screening in Health and Social Care
- What are the main types of health monitoring and screening used in healthcare, and what information do they provide?
- How are health data and test results used to diagnose disorders and create effective care plans?
- What are the ethical considerations that health and social care professionals must take into account when using monitoring and screening tools?
Unit 12: Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs
Term 3 to Term 6
Learning Aim A: Examining reasons why individuals may experience additional needs.
- How can genetic, developmental, and environmental factors contribute to a person having additional needs?
- What is the significance of a formal diagnosis for an individual and their family, and what are the potential impacts on their life?
- In what ways does a person's life stage (e.g., childhood, adulthood, old age) influence the nature of their additional needs?
Learning Aim B: Examining how to overcome the challenges to daily living faced by people with additional needs.
- How do the medical and social models of disability differ in their approach to supporting individuals, and what are the implications of each model for health and social care practice?
- What are the common barriers—physical, attitudinal, communication, and financial—that individuals with additional needs may face in their daily lives?
- How can person-centred care approaches be used to empower individuals and help them overcome challenges to their independence and wellbeing?
Learning Aim C: Investigating current practice with respect to provision for individuals with additional needs.
- What are the key statutory provisions and legal frameworks that govern the support provided to people with additional needs in the UK?
- How do multi-disciplinary teams work together to provide holistic care and support for individuals with complex needs?
- In what ways can a health or social care professional use effective communication and advocacy skills to ensure an individual's rights and needs are met?
- How can adaptations and assistive technology improve the quality of life and promote independence for people with various additional needs?
How is the course assessed:
The BTEC National Extended Certificate is assessed through a combination of external exams and internal assignments.
Approximately 58% of the qualification is externally assessed through written examinations, and the other 42% is internally assessed through practical assignments and projects.
This balanced approach helps students develop both their academic and vocational skills.