Curriculum overview for BTEC Level 3 Health and Social Care

Curriculum intent – the knowledge, understanding and skills that students will learn
Students will build knowledge and understanding of patterns of human growth and development and learn about factors that can influence human growth, development and skills. They will gain understanding about a number of theories and models to explain and interpret behaviour through the human lifespan and explore the interaction between the physical and psychological factors of the ageing process. Students will also acquire an understanding of the values and principles of meeting care and support needs and the ethical issues that arise when personalising care. The examination units will develop their understanding of what it is like to work in the health and social care sector through content coverage of vocational job roles and important responsibilities carried out. Students will explore the nature of physiological disorders and how to provide appropriate treatment and care. This includes being aware of the causes and effects of physiological disorders, as well as the roles of different professionals involved in providing treatment and care for service users. They will develop the skills to be able to produce a care plan for an individual and evaluate types of care and treatment. Throughout the course, students will apply theory to given case study clients, set in realistic vocational situations. 

Curriculum implementation – teaching, learning and assessment strategies
The sequencing of this course is based around the examination periods for the externally assessed units (Unit 1 to be examined in the Summer term of Year 12 and Unit 2 examined in January of Year 13). This means that Unit 1 and Unit 5 are taught alongside one another in Year 12, with the teaching of Unit 14 beginning after the Unit 2, thereby allowing teaching content to be completed with sufficient time for revision, practice and development of exam skills before January of Year 13. The final unit of coursework is completed in the Spring term of Year 13. Within each of the coursework units, the teaching for each learning aim is delivered prior to the students being given the opportunity to complete the Pass, Merit and Distinction tasks for that learning aim. This teaching sequence is repeated for each learning aim within the unit. In the externally examined units, teaching follows the learning aims within the specification with theory being delivered and skills being taught, followed by students practising and securing these skills before moving on to the content of the subsequent learning aim. As this subject is assessed through a mixture of coursework and written examinations, students will face a range of assessment styles: coursework will be assessed by way of a written report and within the examined units, students will tackle regular written assessments in the style of the examination in timed conditions. Students will also tackle regular low-stakes knowledge tests to consolidate the learning which has taken place. 

Curriculum impact – intended outcomes for students 
At Blackfen School, the intention is not to simply have young people studying Health and Social Care at BTEC Level 3, but rather to create young people who have a genuine curiosity and love of the subject and may wish to continue their study in relevant disciplines after leaving school or use the skills and knowledge they have developed to enter the working world in an area of Health. Students will develop their interest in and enthusiasm for Health and Social Care and gain an understanding of a wide range of factors which affect the sector including the working environment, policies, finance and human resources. 

Course overview for BTEC Level 3 Health and Social Care
Exam board: Pearson - 9781446950944-btec-nat-extdip-hsc-spec-iss10-150622.pdf (pearson.com)
Coursework: Yes - 40%

Unit 1 – Human lifespan development
External assessment    
Examined in Summer 1 of Year 12

Unit 5 – Meeting individual care and support needs    
Internal assessment    
Submission in Spring 2 of Year 12

Unit 2 – Working in Health and social care    
External assessment    
Examined in Spring 1 of Year 13

Unit 14 – Physiological disorders
Internal assessment    
Submission Spring 2 of Year 13