Birkenhead Sixth Form College

Health and Social BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements are that you have achieved the standard BSFC entry requirements to advanced level. If you have studied for a BTEC First in Health and Social Care you must have achieved a Merit grade.

About the Subject

Unit 1 Developing effective communication – you will find out about important aspects of communication and put your own skills into practice

Unit 2 Equality, Diversity & Rights – this unit focuses on the concepts of diversity in society and how we need to be promoting equality

Unit 3 Health, Safety & Security – you will learn how to identify potential hazards, relevant legislation and also how to deal with such situations

Unit 4 Development through the life stages – Thus unit allows you to investigate how humans develop and how things change during their lives

Unit 5 Fundamentals of anatomy & physiology – you will gain detailed knowledge of how the body works, and how to monitor people’s physical status

Unit 6 Personal and Professional development – This unit is designed to allow you to assess your own strengths and weakness and plan to enhance your progression. You will complete a one day per week work experience to support your course

Unit 8 Psychological perspectives – you will gain an insight into the main psychological perspectives and how they apply to Health and Social Care

Unit 21 Nutrition- this unit focuses on the different elements of food and what constitutes a healthy diet

Unit 22 You will be given the opportunity to conduct your own piece of research and will be guided on how to reach conclusions in an area you choose

General Information

Assessment

This course is assessed by portfolio assignments, there are no exams. It is required that you complete at least 100 hours of work experience. This will be organised for you and will be monitored by our placement officer. You will have the opportunity to gain experience in three different sectors of Health and Social Care. It will help you with assignments as well as build up valuable experience for you CV.

Teaching styles

This course really focuses on the vocational aspects of Health & Social Care so you will find a lot of teaching is based on work experience/placement visits or case studies/roles plays.

Resources and facilities

We have an extensive range of books available in the library which provide as a great source of information for the course. The BTEC textbook follows the specification closely, so you can easily see what you have covered and quickly find the information you need. Examples and case studies are used to bring your chosen course to life and make it enjoyable to study. We have laptops which students can use during class time, they can be used to complete coursework and you can use the internet for research. We also have specialist team of health and social care teachers with a variety of experience and equipment (e.g. for monitoring fitness). The course is supported by the Learning Support team and learning mentors, and teaching staff operate an ‘open door’ policy.

Key features

This course is all coursework (so there are no exams), and a wide variety of interesting and current issues are explored in depth. You will have the opportunity to undertake a one day per week work experience placement where you will be able to apply some of the knowledge gained in lessons, and develop your skills. Throughout the course you will develop various skills including research, ICT, evaluative skills, problem solving, developing your own learning, presentation skills, and learning to work independently as well as in groups, which will develop your communication skills. This course will provide you with an up to date and relevant insight into the world of Health and Social Care, and will do wonders for your CV.

What Next?

BTEC Level 3 qualifications earn you UCAS points and are therefore valued by universities allowing you to take on HND/ HNC or honours degree, Students can go in to careers such as nursing, teaching, midwifery, social work and many more.