Health and Social Care
Learning Leader: Ms Pickering
Curriculum Intent
Health and Social Care is a social science. Health and Social Care enables students to develop a sound understanding of health and social care services, jobs and skills. The courses themselves are designed to introduce the learning of academic topics, such as human lifespan development, and how life events and other factors can affect us; practical skills such as blood pressure taking, pulse and peak flows; research skills and appreciation of diversity. Transferable and employability skills are also embedded, including independence, resilience, care values, communication and interpersonal skills. Both the KS4 and KS5 courses include enhancing academic writing skills to produce coursework, as well as exam techniques. The courses complement other areas of the curriculum, as the students look at a vast range of topic areas that will engage and motivate their eagerness to learn more.
Key Stage 4:
NCFE L1/2 in Health & Social Care
The intent of the NCFE Level 1/2 Technical Award in Health and Social Care is to provide students with a foundational understanding of the health and social care sector and the skills required to support individuals across different life stages. Learners will explore human growth and development, health and well-being, and the principles of care, developing practical knowledge and transferable skills such as communication, empathy, and problem-solving. The course prepares students for progression into further study or vocational pathways within health, social care, and related professions.
Specification: https://www.ncfe.org.uk/qualification-search/qualification-detail/ncfe-cache-level-12-technical-award-in-health-and-social-care-839
Qualification: Level 1/2 Technical Award (KS4)
Exam Board: NCFE CACHE
Assessment Overview (Linear series; one attempt per component)
Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) – 50%
- Synoptic project; externally set, internally marked, externally moderated
- 84 raw marks; 13 hours + 2 hours open-book preparation/research
Examined Assessment (EA) – 50%
- Written exam; 1 hour 30 mins, 80 raw marks (MCQ, short, extended response)
- Externally set and marked; terminal assessment (May/June)
Content Areas (Delivery is synoptic and non-linear)
- Health & social care provision and services (types, purpose, functions)
- Job roles & care values (practitioners; 6Cs; CPD)
- Legislation, policies & procedures (Equality Act 2010; H&S at Work 1974; Data Protection 2018; HSC Act 2012; Care Act 2014; regulators incl. CQC/Ofsted/HCPC/NMC/Social Work England)
- Human development across the life span (life stages; areas of development; nature/nurture; factors; transitions; practitioner role)
- Care needs of the individual (Maslow; conditions/disabilities; impact on care; care values in practice)
- Accessing services (referral types; barriers; strategies)
- Partnership working (meeting needs/preferences; barriers; solutions)
- Care planning cycle (person-centred practice; care plan; assess–implement–review)
Curriculum Map:
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 10 |
CA1 Health and Social Care Provision and Services CA2 Job roles and care values in health and social care CA8 Care Planning Cycle CA3 Legislation, policies and procedures in Health and Social Care Case Study Practice Throughout |
CA6 How Health and Social Care services are accessed. CA4 Human development across the lifespan CA5 Care needs of the individual Case Study Practice Throughout + recap of previous content areas |
CA7 Partnership working in health and social care RECAP OF CA5, CA8 and CA3 Case Study Practice Throughout |
| Year 11 |
Short Recap of Content Areas NEA |
NEA Revision for exams |
Revision & Exams |
Key Stage 5
Pearson BTEC AAQ Health and Social Care (Current Year 12)
The intent of the Pearson BTEC AAQ in Health and Social Care is to provide students with a strong foundation in the principles, practices, and values of the health and social care sector. Learners will develop theoretical knowledge alongside practical skills through applied learning, focusing on areas such as human growth and development, health and
well-being, and professional practice. The course aims to prepare students for progression into higher education or employment by fostering critical thinking, communication, and ethical awareness essential for working in health and social care settings.
Specification: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-nationals/health-and-social-care-aaq.html
Qualification: Level 1/2 Technical Award (KS4)
Exam Board: NCFE CACHE
Assessment Overview (Linear series; one attempt per component)
Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) – 50%
- Synoptic project; externally set, internally marked, externally moderated
- 84 raw marks; 13 hours + 2 hours open-book preparation/research
Examined Assessment (EA) – 50%
- Written exam; 1 hour 30 mins, 80 raw marks (MCQ, short, extended response)
- Externally set and marked; terminal assessment (May/June)
Content Areas (Delivery is synoptic and non-linear)
- Health & social care provision and services (types, purpose, functions)
- Job roles & care values (practitioners; 6Cs; CPD)
- Legislation, policies & procedures (Equality Act 2010; H&S at Work 1974; Data Protection 2018; HSC Act 2012; Care Act 2014; regulators incl. CQC/Ofsted/HCPC/NMC/Social Work England)
- Human development across the life span (life stages; areas of development; nature/nurture; factors; transitions; practitioner role)
- Care needs of the individual (Maslow; conditions/disabilities; impact on care; care values in practice)
- Accessing services (referral types; barriers; strategies)
- Partnership working (meeting needs/preferences; barriers; solutions)
- Care planning cycle (person-centred practice; care plan; assess–implement–review)
Curriculum Map:
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
| Year 12 |
Unit 1: Human Lifespan Development Unit 3: Principles of Health and Social Care - NEA (90 GLH)- NEA 12 hours |
Unit 3: Principles of Health and Social Care - NEA (90 GLH)- NEA 12 hours REVISION OF UNIT 1 |
Unit 3: Continuation Continued revision of Unit 1 |
| Year 13 |
Unit 2: Human Biology and Health - EA (90 GLH) Unit 5: Promotion Unit (Optional Unit) NEA (90 GLH) NEA - 17 hours |
Unit 5: Promotion Unit (Optional Unit) NEA (90 GLH) NEA - 17 hours Revision for Unit 1 and Unit 2 |
Revision for Unit 1 and Unit 2 Until Exams |
BTEC L3 Extended Certificate in Health & Social Care (Current Year 13)
The intent of the Pearson BTEC AAQ in Health and Social Care is to provide students with a strong foundation in the principles, practices, and values of the health and social care sector. Learners will develop theoretical knowledge alongside practical skills through applied learning, focusing on areas such as human growth and development, health and
well-being, and professional practice. The course aims to prepare students for progression into higher education or employment by fostering critical thinking, communication, and ethical awareness essential for working in health and social care settings.
Specification: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-nationals/health-and-social-care-2016.html
Awarding body: Pearson (BTEC Nationals, RQF 2016)
Qualification number (QN): 601/7197/2
Qualification structure (4 units total)
- Mandatory content: 3 units (~83% of the qualification)
- External assessment: 2 units (~58%) – written exams
- Internal assessment: 2 units (centre-assessed assignments) – one mandatory + one optional
Units (typical model used by centres):
- Unit 1 – Human Lifespan Development (mandatory, external exam, 1h30)
- Unit 2 – Working in Health and Social Care (mandatory, external exam, 1h30)
- Unit 5 – Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs (mandatory, internal)
- One optional internal unit – Unit 14 Physiological Disorders and their Care
Assessment overview
- Two written exams (external): Units 1 and 2, each 90 minutes, sat in set windows (many centres entered U1 in Y12 and U2 in Y13 with a resit opportunity).
- Two internal assignments: Unit 5 (mandatory) + one optional; teacher-assessed to Pearson standards
Curriculum Maps:
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 12 |
Unit 1: Human Lifespan Development Unit 5: Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs - Introduction (NEA) |
Unit 5: Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs (NEA) REVISION OF UNIT 1 |
Unit 5 Continuation Continued revision of Unit |
|
| yEAR 13 |
Unit 2: Working in HSC Exam Skills |
Unit 14: Physiological disorders and their care (NEA) | Revision for Unit 1 and Unit 2 |