Health & Social Care.

How is the course structured?

The BTEC Level 3 in Health & Social Care is run over two years and content is broken down into four units, with two being externally assessed. The size of each unit is determined by how many guided learning hours (GLH) have been allocated for delivery. To successfully complete the course, you must complete a total of 360 GLH. You must complete the selected four units in order to fulfil the course requirements.

Units studied over the 2 years:

Mandatory Units

Unit 1 - Human Lifespan and Development

Students examine physical, intellectual, emotional and social development across the human lifespan, the interaction between biological and social factors in health and well-being and how health care professionals provide effective care.

In this unit you will develop your knowledge and understanding of patterns of human growth and development across different life stages and the concept of holistic development. You will study factors that may influence human growth, development and health; some of these are innate; some are impacted by lifestyle, environmental, socio-economic factors and many are a combination of all factors. You will study the impact of health inequalities, and how these affect the health of individuals.

The unit also explores the promotion, prevention and treatment provided by health and social care professionals and the roles and responsibilities of health and social care professionals when providing effective, holistic care across a range of health conditions.

This unit provides a comprehensive platform for understanding human growth and development and the professional responsibilities of a broad variety of health and social care professionals that is relevant for all students aiming to progress to a career in health and social care

Unit 2 - Human Biology and Health

Students explore the organisation, structure and normal physiological functioning of the human body, and the effect on health of common disorders of the body systems.

You will learn how the body is organised into cells, tissues, organs and organ systems and how healthy bodily function is achieved. You will start by developing your knowledge on cellular structure and function, the different tissue types, including where they are found in the body and how their structure supports their function. You will explore respiration and energy metabolism in the human body and the homeostatic mechanisms that work to maintain the internal environment of the body. You will then build on this knowledge to develop a more detailed knowledge of the structure and function of key body systems, such as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and how the endocrine system controls and regulates processes throughout the body. You will move on to consider how normal physiological functioning may be interrupted by common disorders, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes, and how these disorders affect multiple body systems.

A clear understanding of human biology and health is essential when working in health and social care services. The individuals using these services may present with a range of disorders that affect their day-to-day life and the needs they have for care and support. This unit will provide foundational knowledge required in further study and careers in healthcare, for example nursing, midwifery and allied health professions, as well as social care roles, such as social work and care workers.

Unit 3 - Principles of Health and Social Care Practice

Students focus on the principles that underpin meeting the care and support needs of individuals, which are the foundation of all services within health and social care

To meet individual needs, it is important that you have a good understanding of the principles behind providing excellent care and support. This unit introduces you to the core values expected of NHS and social care professionals which underpin professional standards, skills and attributes and how these should be applied in practice to meet the needs of individuals in health and social care environments.

In this unit, you will learn about the values, skills and principles of meeting care and support needs and how these should be applied in practice. You will look at some of the challenges and approaches that may arise when personalising care and how legislation, governance and regulation affect the provision of care and support to meet individuals’ needs. You will also examine the different societal factors affecting the health outcomes of individuals and the strategies used in health and social care to overcome these.

This unit will be invaluable if you wish to progress to higher education, to degrees in areas such as health and social care management, social work and nursing.

Optional Unit

Unit 5: Promoting Health Education

Students explore the purpose of health education, models and approaches to educating the public and encouraging behaviour change in the population.

In this unit, you will develop an understanding of the purpose of health education, learning about organisations and legislations that support the implementation of health education including how they work as part of an integrated team to ensure the nation’s health is a priority. You will develop an understanding of a range of models and approaches to health education that will allow you to understand the processes that staff working in the health and social care sectors apply when supporting the public’s health to prevent and educate on current issues in health and wellbeing. By planning a small-scale health education event, you will be able to develop an awareness of the processes of planning an event and assessing the effectiveness of models and approaches to health education. You will also be able to consider the implications of health education activities on the current and future health of the nation.

Understanding health education, and the role that it plays in society, is an important part of the health and social care sector. In taking this unit, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of the need for health education, which will support their progression into further studies and/or employment within the sector.