Health and Social Care Level 3

Health and Social Care (Level 3)

HEALTH and SOCIAL CARE

Level 3 National Certificate/ Diploma (OCR)

Campus: Cheadle and Marple

(02.12.08)

Course outline

This is an excellent course to study if you enjoy working with people. It is a practical, skills based programme that will prepare you for employment in the health, social care and early years sectors. You will study 6 units in year one to gain one A Level and a further 6 units completed in year 2 will give the second A level.

Throughout the course you will develop the ability to work autonomously and effectively as well as building your skills, knowledge and understanding of health, social care and early years. In addition you will be gaining a qualification which is relevant to the workplace.

You will cover a number of units in year 1 which include:

Mandatory units:

Unit 1: Working to quality practice in care settings

Unit 2: Working with service users in care settings

Unit 3: Behavioural awareness in care

Unit 4: Applied practical care in care settings

Optional units will include topics such as Creative activities, Behavioural psychology in settings, Career planning for the health, social care and early years sector and Health education and promotion.

Special entry requirements

As well as meeting the college GCSE requirements for a Level 3 course you can progress with a Level 2 in

Health and Social Care at Merit grade.

For some career pathways it is essential to have core GCSEs as well as undertaking Level 3 study.

How you will learn

Through a variety of learning opportunites ranging from class based lessons, small and large group activities/ presentations, listening to visiting speakers, attending conferences, class discussion, not to mention work based experience, research and one-to-one tutorials.

How you will be assessed

You will study six units in your first year and six in your second. All units are coursework based, internally assessed and externally verified.

Assessment will include a variety of methods such as role plays, practical assessment and written work as well as demonstrating skills through work placement experience.

There will be some practical work though it will depend very much on the unit being studied. Some units are very practical and skills based, whilst others may involve research in the community.

You will have two placements lasting one week throughout the year.

Other complementary subjects

Depending on your career aspirations you may need to combine specific subjects at A Level - if you aspire to being a midwife you may take Biology; for teaching you need another national curriculum subject. Psychology, Communication Studies, Sociology and Biology are all subjects that are taken with Health and Social Care, though any combination is possible.

What you can do after this course

The course is a base for further study or progression onto employment. It can lead to a career in social work, nursing, teaching, youth work and probation service. Past students have also studied on B.Ed, B.A. Nursing, social work degrees and midwifery courses.

Other useful information

You may be required to pass a police check to work with vulnerable people in the community.

The ability to manage your time effectively will be important as well as having good inter-personal skills.