A/AS Health and Social Care

A/AS Health and Social Care

What is Health and Social Care?
Do you enjoy being with people? Perhaps you might not be sure exactly what you want to do but know that you want to be involved with children… the elderly… teenagers… or people who have a disability… or simply hope to eventually work in a job which helps and enhances the lives of others? Health and Social Care may sound like a course only for social workers and nurses but it has, in reality, a much wider relevance than that and provides a recognised qualification for career training in many allied professions.

The Applied GCE in Health and Social Care is offered as a Single Award (6 Units) which is equivalent to one A level. The Single Award can be taken in conjunction with AS or A levels.

The Course covers a range of social science related subjects, which give you an understanding of people - biologically, psychologically and socially. It also gives you knowledge of the structures which have been created in society to help others. These subjects are academic but the content is applied to this area of work. Among the Units you will study are: human growth and development, communication and valuesand health and positive care environments

Is Health and Social Care suitable for me?
Many students feel that they are more in control of their learning and achievement through the continually assessed work and feel they benefit from the staff support given. They also like the degree of flexibility there is in their choice of a specific area or topic for assignments. They feel well prepared to make informed decisions about their future careers. Although students believe continuous assessment is a good thing it also has the down side that you need to be organised and manage your time well. Staff are aware that some students find the external examinations difficult and do their best through revision and support to prepare them for this.

How will I learn?
Our lessons are a mixture of the formal and the less formal. Some sessions will be in the form of lectures but you will also learn through a mixture of activities- whether working individually or in groups. You will participate in role plays, discussions and presentations.

As with other Advanced level courses homework is a vital part of your studies. On average you will be expected to do between 4 and 5 hours a week. During the course you will experience working in an area of health and social care to increase your skills and knowledge. We would like you to register with vinvolved and each week to spend a few hours at a placement of your choice.

How will I be assessed?
Coursework: Year 1- 67%. Year 2- 67%

Continuously assessed work consists of one in depth assignment per Unit. This work is set and marked by your subject teacher and then internally and externally verified. External tests generally last for between one and a half and two hours. They contain short answer questions which are usually based around a case study. They are marked externally and can be sat in January and June and you can resit a test if necessary. Both tests and assignments will be graded A to E.

Progression
Students go on to a variety of higher education courses and jobs. In the past students have taken courses leading to professional qualifications in primary teaching, nursing, occupational therapy, midwifery, speech therapy, social work, and youth and community work. Some students have opted to take a subject oriented degree course at university, such as psychology, social policy, early years studies and health studies. Other students have immediately entered employment where they have taken up places in nurseries, nursing and residential homes where they have pursued further training. Some students have chosen to work less directly with people and gone on to work in administration in social care services.

Course costs
All students will be expected to provide their own textbooks, stationery, computer disks and calculators (where appropriate).

Essential Costs: £20 - £40 for books.

There may be one or two class trips during the two years.

In addition you will need to pay for a CRB check, if you have not already had one.

If the cost of equipment, materials and trips may cause you financial hardship, there is the opportunity to apply for help from the College Access Fund.