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Meadowhead School

Meadowhead SchoolAcademy Trust

Health and Social Care

BTEC First Award in Health and Social Care

What will students do on this course?

This course is made up of a total of four units; two compulsory units and two school-selected optional units. Each unit is made up of different criteria that must be achieved in order to pass the course. The units are:

Compulsory Units

  • Human Lifespan development 
  • Health and social care values

Selected units

  • Effective communication 
  • The impact of nutrition on health and wellbeing

How will students be assessed?
The course is made up of 

  • 75% coursework- assignment writing. 
  • 25% exam (50 marks) (1 hour written paper) 
  • Practical assessments 

This course is the equivalent to 1 GCSE qualification. The evidence from these and the coursework are put together to produce a portfolio of evidence. This is then externally assessed at the end of the course by officials from the examining board.

This qualification would be relevant for studentsconsidering a career in private care, the NHS, education or the Local Authority as care practitioners.  There are many routes stemming from this qualification, including:

  • NVQs in a variety of care sectors e.g. Health, Working with young Children
  • Level 2 qualifications e.g. BTEC, CACHE
  • Level 3 qualifications e.g. AS/A-levels (NB grade Cs in English and Maths are also normally required for this route)

The course involves many practical skills and students must be prepared to work independently and in groups. Maintaining professional standards is an essential part of assessment and therefore students must act professionally at all times when on visits/trips or short work placements.