BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care

This course is equivalent in size to one A Level. There are 4 units of which 3 are mandatory and 2 are external. This course presents a broad basis of study for the Health and Social Care sector building on understanding from the Level 2 qualification.

In this course you will learn lots of skills that are beneficial when preparing for employment such as:

• Cognitive and problem-solving skills: use critical thinking, approach non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, use systems and technology
• Intrapersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation
• Interpersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.

M1: Human Lifespan Development (exam)

Learners cover physical, intellectual, emotional and social development across the human lifespan, and the factors affecting development and the effects of ageing.

M2: Human Biology and Health (exam)

Students explore the organisation, structure and normal physiological functioning of the human body, and the effect on health of common disorders of the body systems.

M3: Principles of Health and Social Care Practice (internal assessment)

Students focus on the principles that underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals, which are the foundation of all services within health and social care.

O5: Promoting Health Education (internal assessment)

Students explore the purpose of health education, models and approaches to educating the public and encouraging behaviour change in the population.

Paper 1:

• Unit 1: Human Lifespan Development
• Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
• 80 marks

Paper 2:

• Unit 2: Human Biology and Health
• Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
• 80 marks

Unit 3 and 5 are internal assessments, which are run in school the same way the Level 2 assessments are run with time to prepare for the assessment, and they are run in classrooms. There will be 2 internal assessments.

To study Health and Social Care at Level 3, students must obtain a Level 2 Merit or higher at GCSE Level, if taken. If students have not studied Health and Social Care at GCSE, they will instead need a Grade 5 or above in English and a Grade 4 in Science.

The qualification is intended to carry UCAS points and is recognised by higher education institutions as contributing to meeting admission requirements to many relevant courses. It can be taken alongside, for example:

• A Levels in Biology and Psychology, which could lead to a BSc (Hons) in Nursing and A Levels in English and History, which could lead to a BA (Hons) in Primary Education

• a BTEC National Diploma in Children’s Play, Learning and Development, which could lead to a BSc (Hons) in Social Work

• a BTEC National Extended Certificate in Sport, which could lead to a Foundation Degree in Sports Studies and Development