Health & Social Care
Subject Overview
Health and Social Care is an exciting subject which aims to increase knowledge of the world of work in health, social care, early years and children’s services. Many of our students with qualifications in Health and Social Care go on to have interesting and successful careers in childcare, nursing, midwifery, social work, teaching, counselling and health-visiting.
Head of Department
Mrs S McCreesh
Key Stage 4
There are two courses at Key Stage 4:
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GCSE Health and Social Care
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CCEA Level 2 Occupational Studies – Health and Social Care
Why Study the Subject
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If you have an interest in helping people
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If you have a caring nature
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If you like working with children, young people and senior citizens
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If you want to make a difference in the lives of others
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If you have an interest in First Aid, Health & Safety or Planning interesting activities for children & senior citizens
GCSE Health and Social Care
Assessment structure
The GCSE course is an applied GCSE from CCEA.
50% External Exam & 50% Coursework
Year 11
The pupils undertake the external exam unit ‘Personal Development’ in Year 11 which is taken in June of that school year and is worth 50% of their overall score.
Year 12
In Year 12 the pupils complete three independent coursework tasks in the Unit ‘Working in Health and Social Care’, these together are worth 50% of the overall score.
Employability/job opportunities/further study
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‘A’ Level Health and Social Care
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Nursing
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Midwifery
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Social Work
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Teaching
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Care Assistant
Key Stage 4 Extra Curricular Activities /Trips/Industry links
Speakers are brought in each year to assist pupils with their GCSE coursework on job roles e.g. a nurse to explain day to day job roles & tasks.
CCEA Level 2 Occupational Studies – Health and Social Care
Assessment structure
The Level 2 Occupational Studies course is 100% coursework and is internally assessed by the teacher and then externally moderated by CCEA.
Year 11
‘Working in a Care Environment’ – this is 100% coursework & is internally assessed.
Year 12
‘Reminiscence with Individuals in a Care Environment’ – this is 100% coursework & is internally assessed.
Employability/job opportunities/further study
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‘A’ Level Health and Social Care
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Care Assistant
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Nursing
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Social work
Key Stage 4 Extra Curricular Activities /Trips/Industry links
Speakers are brought in each year to assist pupils with their GCSE coursework on job roles e.g. a nurse to explain day to day job roles & tasks
Post 16
Why Study the Subject
The health, social care and early years’ sectors are major employers in the public, voluntary and private sectors in Northern Ireland. This broad qualification gives students the opportunity to study a diverse range of subjects, including communication, physiology, social policy and psychology.
‘A’ Level Health and Social Care appeals to students with an interest in health, well-being and caring for others. It’s likely to interest students who enjoyed studying Health and Social Care, Home Economics, Child Development, Psychology or Sociology at GCSE, although none of these are a prerequisite.
Students develop skills that are valued in further and higher education, as well as in the workplace. These skills include research, investigation, analysis, communication, problem solving and working with others.
Assessment structure
The pupils must complete 6 units, 3 in AS (Yr13) and 3 in A2 (Yr14). The 3 AS units are worth 40% of the overall A Level with the 60% completed in A2.
Year 13 - Topics studied
Communication in a Care Environment | Coursework unit worth 25% of the AS Level
Promoting Quality Care | Coursework unit worth 25% of the AS Level
Health & Well Being | External exam completed in May of Year 13. It is worth 50% of the overall AS Level
Year 14 - Topics include
Body Systems & Physiological Disorders | Coursework unit worth 25% of the A2 Level
Health Promotion | Coursework unit worth 25% of the A2 Level
Providing Services | External exam completed in June of Year 14. It is worth 50% of the overall A2 Level
Employability/job opportunities/further study
Health & Social Care can be used for most university courses but especially for:
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Primary & Secondary Teaching
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Nursing & Midwifery
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Social Work
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Occupational Therapy
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Psychology
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Social Policy
It can also be used for many courses in the SRC as well as to directly access the work market.
Post 16 Extra Curricular Activities /Trips/Industry links
All pupils will attend a work placement in a local health, social care or early years setting in Yr13, usually a local Primary School. This is for 2hrs of the school day, one day each week from September to Christmas.
Double Award Health and Social Care
Subject Overview
Health and Social Care is a broad vocational subject focused on the knowledge and skills needed for careers in the health, social care, and early years sectors. The subject explores topics like human growth and development, promoting health, maintaining wellbeing, and responding to ill-health and service users. It aims to develop crucial employability skills, empathy, communication, and analytical abilities, preparing students for roles in fields such as nursing, social work, childcare, and teaching.
Key Stage 5
Why Study the Subject
The CCEA GCE Health and Social Care specification appeals to students with an interest in health, well-being and caring for others. It gives students the opportunity to study a diverse range of subjects, including communication, physiology, social policy and psychology, and develop skills including research, investigation, and analysis.
Assessment Structure
40% Controlled Assessment Task
25% Written Examination
Year 13 – Topics Studied.
CCEA GCE Double Award Health and Social Care is a two-year course where students complete both single and double award units. In Double Award Health and Social Care, the following topics are completed:
• Safeguarding Children – Internally Assessed
This unit introduces students to the difficult and sensitive issues surrounding child protection. It gives them knowledge and understanding of safeguarding in early years settings.
• Holistic Therapies – Internally Assessed
In this unit, students investigate the holistic approach to managing various medical conditions. They have the opportunity to research a range of holistic therapies and compare these to medical treatments, research current trends and evaluate the effectiveness of holistic therapies.
• Adult Service Users – Externally Assessed
In this unit, students focus on the range of adult service users who require support, assistance or treatment from health and social care services. They develop knowledge and understanding of the roles of key professionals involved in providing care for service users and how services are planned, from government policy to the care planning cycle.
Year 14 – Topics Studied.
• Applied Research – Internally Assessed
In this unit, students investigate a health, social care or early years topic in depth by carrying out individual research. Students conduct primary and secondary research on the selected topic, present their findings and evaluate both their findings and the research process in a written research report.
• Supporting the Family – Internally Assessed
In this unit, students focus on changing and evolving family structures in today’s society. Students develop an understanding of factors that influence family life, research the range of family structures and the functions of families.
• Human Nutrition and Health – Externally Assessed
In this unit, students explore the composition of food and the dietary needs of individuals in a range of settings, investigating the importance of a balanced diet and the impact food choices have on individuals’ health and well-being. Students also explore key factors influencing food choice and examine the hygienic preparation of food.
Employability/Job Opportunities/Further Study
This course also provides an excellent foundation for a career in health and social care related industries such as social worker, nurse, midwife, pharmacist, counsellor, therapist, child minder and care worker.
