Health and Social Care

Exam Board:

Pearson

What will I study on the course:

You will gain a practical introduction to the health and social care sector, exploring how care is provided, the needs of service users, and the roles of professionals. Key components include:

• Component 1: Human Lifespan Development – Understanding growth and development across life stages (infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, later adulthood); factors affecting development (genetic, environmental, lifestyle); life events and their impacts (e.g., bereavement, moving house).
• Component 2: Health and Social Care Services and Values – Investigating types of care services (e.g., hospitals, residential homes, community care), barriers to access, how professionals work together, and the importance of care values (respect, dignity, confidentiality, empowerment, safeguarding).
• Component 3: Supporting Individuals to Meet Personal Care and Support Needs – Focusing on person-centred care; assessing needs; planning support; promoting independence, health, and wellbeing; and using communication skills effectively in care settings. The course combines theory with practical elements (e.g., role-play, case studies, planning care plans), developing skills in empathy, communication, teamwork, and understanding diversity and inclusion.

How is the course assessed:

A mix of internal and external assessment (graded Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction* at Level 2, or Level 1 equivalents; no traditional GCSE tiers):

• Component 1: Human Lifespan Development – Internally assessed (Pearson-set assignment/coursework), 30% – Portfolio exploring development stages, factors, and life events.
• Component 2: Health and Social Care Services and Values – Internally assessed (Pearson-set assignment/coursework), 30% – Tasks on services, barriers, values, and professional roles.
• Component 3: Supporting Individuals to Meet Personal Care and Support Needs – Externally assessed (synoptic supervised task, typically 2 hours), 40% – Responding to a scenario by planning and justifying support for an individual. Total guided learning hours: 120. Assessments include written work, case studies, and evidence of understanding care principles.

Post-16 courses:

Level 3 BTEC National in Health and Social Care (equivalent to A Levels), T Levels in Health or Healthcare Science, apprenticeships (e.g., adult care worker, childcare, nursing associate), or A Levels in Biology, Psychology, or Sociology. A good grade supports entry to college/sixth form for health, care, or early years pathways.

Careers:

Nurse, midwife, social worker, care assistant, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, childcare practitioner, youth worker, mental health support worker, paramedic, or roles in hospitals, residential care, community services, and the NHS. The health and social care sector is one of the largest employers in the UK, with constant demand and strong progression opportunities.

Specific advantages:

This vocational course is practical and people-focused, with real-world relevance through case studies and scenarios – perfect for students who enjoy helping others and understanding human needs. It builds essential employable skills early (e.g., communication, empathy, safeguarding knowledge), suits those preferring applied learning over pure theory, and often involves role-play or group work for authentic experience. At Discovery Academy, it fits the wide range of vocational options, providing a supportive environment to explore caring professions and develop confidence for future roles.

How useful it is in the real world: