Health & Social Care BTEC First Diploma

Health & Social Care BTEC First Diploma

The BTEC First Diploma in Health and Social Care is a one-year course equivalent to four GCSEs. This course will help you to understand the rapidly growing Health, Social Care and Early Years sectors. It explores key themes, policies and skills that are important in this area. It is very good preparation for people who want to work in a Health and Social Care setting or with young children. An important part of the course is a work placement, in a Health and Social Care setting, where you can turn theory into practice. The course will appeal to you if you prefer a greater focus on practical assessment and coursework: there are no examinations.

Course content
The course consists of two core units and four specialist units.

Core units:

Communication and Individual Rights within Health and Social Care Sectors

You will explore:
How to communicate effectively with a range of different client groups
Barriers to effective communication and ways to overcome these barriers
How people differ and what difference that can make
How the law protects people and promotes equality

Individual Needs within the Health and Social Care Sectors

You will study:
The physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs of the main client groups at different stages in their lives
Factors that influence development
How the law protects against health and safety hazards

Specialist units:

Creative and Therapeutic Activities

You will research:
The different types of activities used with clients for therapy and the potential benefit of these activities
You will design a practical activity and use it with clients in your work placement

Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care

You will study:
The structure of the human body and how it works
Ways to monitor the body's processes
Common problems in the body.

Human Lifespan Development

You will identify:
The changing care needs of individuals through different life stages
The possible impact of both expected and unexpected life events
The ways in which an individual's self-concept develops

Vocational Experience in a Health and Social Care Setting

You will practise your skills in a work placement, and produce a piece of coursework based on this experience

Assessment

There are no exams on this course. The course is assessed through projects, coursework and assignments as well as 60 hours or more of work experience in a placement.

You will build a portfolio and complete specific tasks over the duration of the course.

Progression

On successful completion of the BTEC First Diploma in Health and Social Care, you would be ready to enter initial employment, at a junior level, in occupational therapy, social work, residential care, housing or the Probation Service. You could also progress to other qualifications such as the Health and Social Care National Diploma or the Society, Health and Development Diploma as well as AS/A2 levels. All of these options are available at Long Road Sixth Form College.

Alternatively, you could study work towards an Advanced Apprenticeship, an appropriate NVQ or a Level 3 childcare qualification.