health and s oci al car e
AS/A2 Health and Social Care (Double Award)
Introduction If you are thinking of a career in the Health, Social Care or Early Years sectors, then an Applied A Level in Health and Social Care (Double Award) could be the right qualification for you. Even if you are unsure of the career path you wish to take, this is a good course to study because it covers a mix of subjects and will equip you with skills that will be welcomed by universities and employers no matter what you choose to do. You may start out thinking that you like one area of work but once you learn about other areas you may find that your interests change. This is because the Applied A Level will raise your awareness of the range of rewarding career opportunities that exist.
AS/A2 Health and Social Care EXAM BOARD: AQA
meet the students
WHAT IS THIS QUALIFICATION?
WHAT WILL I STUDY?
The GCE Applied A Level in Health and
The units studied on the Advanced GCE
Social Care (Double Award) is comprised of
Health and Social Care course are:
twelve units of study and is equivalent to two
• Effective Caring (exam) • Working in Health and Social Care (coursework) • Effective Communication (coursework) • Psychological Perspectives (exam) • Health, Illness and Disease (coursework) • The role of Exercise in Maintaining Health and Well-being (exam) • Common Diseases and Disorders (exam) • Nutrition and Dietetics (exam) • Research Methods and Perspectives (coursework) • Complementary Therapies (coursework) • Understanding Mental Disorder (coursework) • Early Years Education (coursework)
A Levels. This course is studied over two years, along with one or two other A Levels of your choice, dependant upon your interests and career aims. For example, Health and Social Care (Double Award) taken with a Science A Level supports applications for a degree in radiography,
AMY MORRISON St Cuthbert’s
of A Levels, it supports applications for
Studying: Health & Social Care, Biology, Psychology
qualification combines well with almost all AS
nursing or midwifery, or with one of a range teacher training or social work. Again, this and A2 Level subjects.
In Health and Social Care you learn things that can be applied to what is happening now and things that can be applied to future occupations. The subject relates a lot to my other two subjects and it’s very interesting and diverse. I have also been on a work placement to St Anne’s Primary School. This helped my studies because I was able to relate a lot of the things we learn in Health & Social Care to that experience. Carmel is a really nice place to study, the staff are very friendly and they offer help whenever you need it.
This is an academic qualification which provides students with a broad knowledge of health, social care and early years services and allows you to focus on different aspects of the subject area. Because it is broadbased, it gives students research and examination based skills to progress into specific training in the health and care sector or transfer to other occupational areas.
HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED? For coursework you will be expected to produce a portfolio of evidence for these units based on the assignments set by the Health and Social Care teachers. Coursework units are marked by the Health and Social Care teachers and are moderated by the examination board. Five units of the course are externally written examinations that are set and marked by the examination board.
meet the tutors PAM MAGGS Head of Department
RACHEL DICKINSON Subject Tutor
ANN HODSON Subject Tutor
TRACEY COSTER Subject Tutor
What support will I receive?
We are committed to supporting you as an individual and will help you to achieve your personal targets. Teachers in the department can help you to reflect on your achievement and guide you in the setting of targets to help improve your performance throughout the year. Support tutorials are provided on a one-to-one and small group basis and you will be given help with a range of study skills for example, organising your time, independent research, revision skills etc.
WHERE DOES THIS COURSE LEAD?
PROGRESSION ROUTES OF FORMER STUDENTS INCLUDE:
Progression routes from the course are wide and varied, from degree and diploma studies in a wide range of fields, to employment in the Health, Social Care or Early Years sectors. The Health and Social Care department has a comprehensive careers notice board that is updated on a regular basis.
BA (Hons) Social Work; BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy; BA (Hons) Health Studies; BSc Nutrition; BSc (Hons) Social Science and Criminology; BEd Primary Teaching; BSc (Hons) Adult/Paediatric Nursing/Midwifery; Childcare; Care of the Elderly; Pharmacy Technician; Dental Nursing; Police Force.
meet the students RACHEL PENKMAN St. Cuthbert’s Studying: Health & Social Care, English Language, Philosophy & Religion The skills you learn in Health & Social Care are wide ranging and you can apply them to everyday life. The four units of study are really interesting and the tutors help you to adapt to college life, giving lots of helpful advice. I carried out a work experience placement at a primary school which was really beneficial as I wish to follow this career. Carmel is a great place to be; there are lots of resources, you have more independence than school and the tutors are always available to help. It can be hard work but the good grades will be worth it. When I leave I hope to carry on Early Years Education at university and become a primary school teacher.
What is the Department like? You will be studying in well-equipped classrooms with multi-media technology and will have access to computers and the Internet to help you with your studies. On entry to the course you will be supplied with a course text book and a comprehensive student handbook that contains a wide range of web addresses and an essential reading guide, which also identifies a range of health, social care and early years periodicals. These resources can be accessed from the Learning Resource Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions HOW SUCCESSFUL ARE CARMEL’S HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE STUDENTS?
WHAT OTHER AS LEVELS CAN I STUDY ALONGSIDE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE?
Carmel’s Health and Social Care students are outstandingly successful.
The course combines well with almost all AS and A level subjects. The combination of subjects you choose to study depends upon your career aims. For example, Health and Social Care (Double Award) taken with a Science A level, supports applications for a degree in Radiography, Nursing or Midwifery, or with one of a range of A levels, it supports applications for teacher training or social work.
This is clearly reflected in the department’s results, with 100% pass rates since 1998. A high percentage of students who study Health and Social Care achieve high grades, exceeding national average results.
DO I NEED TO HAVE STUDIED HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE AT GCSE LEVEL TO GAIN ENTRY TO THE COURSE? No, but it would be an advantage.
IS THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE COURSE JUST FOR PEOPLE WHO WISH TO BECOME MIDWIVES OR NURSES? Certainly not. Take a look at just some of the progression routes of former students.
more information Exam board website: www.aqa.org.uk NHS careers: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk Social Work/Care careers: www.socialworkcareers.co.uk Early Years careers: www.childcarecareers.gov.uk
Work experience and vocational enrichment Caring involves working with a whole range of people in a variety of different situations, such as working with children or people with special needs, caring for the elderly or looking after patients in hospital. In order to understand the nature of health, social care and early years, your learning will be applied to a range of work-related contexts. This is achieved through a variety of practical approaches, including 10 days work experience related to your career aims, links with local employers, case studies and research. A number of guest speakers are also invited into the department to enrich your studies.