Health and Social Care (OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate)

This is the course for you if you want to develop your knowledge and understanding of health, social care and child care. It is equivalent to 1 A level (with the same UCAS points as 1 A level).

The units we study will give you an understanding of health, social care and child care and the different environments and settings where care takes place, the importance of effective communication in health and social care, the impact of nutrition on health and the development of a child from conception to the end of their first year of life. You will also develop transferable skills such as communication skills as well as research, planning and organisation.

This course can be taken alongside other Vocational Qualifications or A levels, such as Biology, Psychology, Sociology, English and Applied Science.

You will study six units made up of mandatory and optional units. Everybody will study the following mandatory units:

• Building positive relationships in health and social care (coursework)
• Equality, diversity and rights in health and social care (exam)
• Health, safety and security in health and social care (exam)
• Anatomy and physiology for health and social care (exam)

You will also study the following optional units:

• Nutrition for health (coursework)
• Sexual health, reproduction and early development stages (coursework)

The combination of units is designed to have something for everyone – whether you are interested in a health, social care or child care route.

The units you cover will be assessed through a combination of externally set exams and internally assessed coursework.

You are allowed to redraft coursework to improve the initial grade that you receive. Coursework is internally marked and then an external moderator will visit school to confirm the marking.

Each unit will be graded pass (equivalent to a grade E), merit (equivalent to a grade C), distinction (equivalent to a grade A) or distinction* (equivalent to an A*).

You are allowed to re-sit the external exams once. Exams can be taken in January and June.

You will need 5 grade 4 or above, including a 4 or above in English and Biology or Core & Additional Science

This qualification isn’t just about caring for babies or the elderly and the ill. The wide variety of units we study will provide you with the skills, knowledge and understanding of health, social care or early years. This will allow you to progress into Higher Education on a health and social care-related programme such as Teaching, Nursing, Social Work, Early Childhood Studies, Health and Social Care or into an apprenticeship or employment in an early years or health care setting.