HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE (HEALTH STUDIES)

LEVEL 3: EXTENDED CERTIFICATE / EXTENDED DIPLOMA (BTEC)
EXAMINING BOARD: PEARSON

This course will equip you with the knowledge and understanding to support others in a variety of health and social care settings.

You will develop specific skills relevant to the sector as well as transferable skills useful for any workplace.

You can select to study either an Extended Certificate or an Extended Diploma.

The Extended Certificate combines particularly well with subjects like Applied Science, Biology, Law, Sociology, English, History, Sport, Languages and Psychology.

The Extended Diploma is equivalent to three A Levels and carries the same UCAS points tariff, so you will not study additional subjects within your core Study Programme.

It is a good option if you already know that you plan to progress into Health and Social Care related degree, employment or Apprenticeship.

Extended Certificate

You will study topics such as;

  • Human Lifespan Development
  • Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs
  • Working in Health and Social Care
  • Sociological Perspectives

Extended Diploma

You will study topics such as:

  • Human Lifespan Development
  • Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs
  • Working in Health and Social Care
  • Physiological Disorders and their Care
  • Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care
  • Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Social Care
  • Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care
  • Promoting Public Health
  • Infection Control and Prevention
  • Nutritional Health
  • Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs
  • Sociological Perspectives in Health and Social Care
  • Work Experience in Health and Social Care

For the Extended Diploma, you must also complete at least 100 hours of work placement in local health and social care settings.

This will give you the chance to experience different job roles along with developing your communication and teamwork.

As a minimum, you will need (or equivalent to):

  • GCSE Mathematics grade 4
  • GCSE English Language grade 4
  • plus three more GCSEs at grade 4
  • to have a DBS check to allow you to participate in work placements on the Extended Diploma. We can discuss this process with you at your Advice and Guidance session following your application to Huish.

For the BTEC Extended Diploma, a Level 2 vocational qualification at grade merit or above can be accepted in place of one GCSE.

The Extended Certificate includes an exam in each year and two internally assessed units (coursework).

The Extended Diploma includes two exams in Year 1, one exam and one controlled assessment in Year 2, and nine internally assessed units (coursework).

You can progress on to university to study Social Work, Nursing, Midwifery, Primary Teaching, Speech and Language Therapy and a range of registered professions.

Alternatively, you can begin an Apprenticeship or employment in a health and care setting.

How do I gain work experience?

You are encouraged to get work experience to give you a greater understanding of the topics you learn and demonstrate to future employers evidence of your abilities.

If you choose the Extended Diploma option you will be required to complete a work placement.

We can support you to secure work experience as we have excellent links with local care providers.

Different placement environments include health centres, residential homes, schools, nurseries and hospital departments.

The service users you support may include children, elderly people, adults with learning disabilities or mental health issues, or people who have physical health conditions.

Before you start your placement you will be required to undergo a police background check.

Many of our students are offered part-time work as a result of these experiences.