Health & Social Care
H&S Care BTEC Level 2 - Specification
Statement of Purpose:
Name of regulated qualification: QN: 603/7047/6
Title: Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Health and Social Care
Who is this qualification for?
The Pearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Health and Social Care is ideal for you if you are a pre-16 student working at level 1 or level 2 and would like to find out more about health and social care. This course offers a practical introduction to life and work in the health and social care sector. The qualification, which is 120 GLH, is the same size and level as a GCSE.
The health and social care sector
Health and social care is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK with demand for both health and social care employees continuously rising. In 2019/20, the adult social care sector contributed approximately £41.2 billion a year to the UK economy. Social care employees such as care assistants and social workers work with individuals to support them to be as independent as possible in their own homes, in care homes or nursing homes. Healthcare employees, such as doctors, pharmacists, nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants and physiotherapists, work with individuals to enhance their quality of life by improving their health. Approximately 3 million people are currently employed in the sector. In 2019, it was estimated that by 2035 approximately 2.17 million health and social care job vacancies will need to be filled.
What does the qualification cover?
This course will give you the opportunity to develop knowledge and technical skills in a practical learning environment. You will also develop key skills relevant to the health and social care sector such as research techniques and how to measure someone’s physical health. You will also develop your written communication skills as you create health and wellbeing plans for an individual with specific needs. Everyone taking this qualification will study three components, covering the following content
areas:
● Human Lifespan and Development gives you the opportunity to study how people grow and develop over the course of their lives, from infancy to old age. You will also look at the factors that may affect growth and development throughout the lifespan, such as life-changing events like marriage or death of a partner. You will explore how individuals cope with these changes, as well as investigate the types of support available to help them.
● Health and Social Care Services you will investigate common services as well as those for specific needs, and consider how they may work together to meet individuals needs. You will examine the barriers to individuals accessing services and how they may be overcome. You will explore the skills, attributes and values that are required in health and social care, and their importance in making sure that the people who use these services get the care they need.
● Health and Wellbeing explores the factors that can have a positive or negative influence on an individual's health and wellbeing. You will learn to interpret physiological and lifestyle indicators, and what they mean for someone’s state of health. You will learn how to use this information to design an appropriate plan for improving someone’s health and wellbeing, including short- and long-term targets. Additionally, you will explore the difficulties an individual may face when trying to make these changes.
Where will this take me?
Once you have completed the qualification, you will have developed a practical understanding of the health and social care sector. You will have built useful skills, which are not generally covered in GCSE courses, and you will have developed a good understanding of whether the health and social care sector is for you, and if so, which part of it you might want to study further.
If you decide to go on to further study of health and social care, the best option for you will depend on the grades you have achieved in this and the other qualifications you have taken, and what you enjoy doing. You could progress to a Level 2 Technical Certificate or to a Level 3 programme, such as A Levels, a T Level or a BTEC National, either on its own or in combination with A levels.
What other subjects go well with health and social care?
This course builds on and uses the knowledge and skills you learn in your GCSEs, particularly in GCSE Psychology. It can also be complementary learning for GCSE Biology. This course is different from studying GCSEs, as, by taking part in different types of research, application and health improvement activities, it gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge, skills and the techniques you learn in practical ways.