BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care

BTEC Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care Equivalent to 3 A-levels
What qualifications do I need to get a place on this course?

What will I be studying on the course?
In year 1 you will carry out tasks and activities that will help you to learn about:
· Communication skills and how to communicate with different clients, such as children, the elderly or disabled
· Treating people fairly, and how the legislation and our practice ensures that everyone has equal opportunities in life
· How to remain healthy and safe in the workplace
· How we develop and grow throughout life, not only physically, but intellectually, socially and emotionally as well.
· The basic structure and function of our bodies, how the body works and what can go wrong in disease
· What a healthy diet is and how this is varied, for example by age, by health or by culture, and the possible effects of a poor diet on your future.
· Infection prevention and control, particularly in relation to Health and hygiene in your work placement.
· You will also spend one day a week on a work placement to help you link the theory you learn in class with the practical application in the workplace. Work placements will include nursing and residential homes, day centres and holiday centres for a range of clients, including the elderly, and clients with physical and learning disabilities.
In year two you will develop your skills and knowledge in more specific areas, such as research methods, Health education, working with clients with disabilities and complementary therapies.

What sort of things will I be doing on the course?
On the course you will:
· Monitor and analyse your diet using computer programmes to identify the possible effects on your health
· Assess your health and fitness status using appropriate tests and procedures
· Use role plays and scenarios to practice your communication skills
· Use agar plates to assess your hand-washing practice, and identify sources of infections.
· Carry out a practical risk assessment in a care setting, to identify risks and hazards, and their controls
· Use case studies to identify and discuss the effects of ageing or disability on individuals

How will I be assessed on this course?
Your course tutors will assess you through a range of written and practical projects as well as oral presentations. There are no written examinations on this course. You will also need to achieve satisfactory reports from your work placements.

What sort of things can I go on to do once I've completed this course?
You will be able to apply for Health or Social Care degrees at any universities or apply for employment, where you could choose to do further training e.g. on NVQs. Students in 2009 are hoping to apply for nursing degrees, social work and occupational therapy degrees. Others are hoping to be offered jobs as a result of successful work placements and good references in nursing and residential homes and day centres.
This course was only introduced at Paston in 2009. Over 50% of successful students on the BTEC First Diploma applied for this course, committing to a further 2 years of study in this field. Questionnaires revealed that all of our students would recommend us to their friends and have done so! Come and talk to them at our Open Evenings and Taster Days.