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St Colman's High & Sixth Form College, Ballynahinch

Double Award Health and Social Care

Examination Board: CCEA  

Specification: GCE Applied Health and Social Care (Double Award)

Why study Health and Social Care? This course offers students the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding that provide a broad educational basis that will advantage them when entering into employment or higher education within the health and social care sector.

 

What will I learn about?

AS Unit 1 portfolio (10% of final mark): Promoting Quality Care

You will investigate examples of poor practice in a health, social care or early years setting. You will also research the impact of legislation on care settings and how care workers apply the care value base in their daily work.

AS Unit 2 portfolio (10% of final mark): Communication in Care Settings

You will be given the opportunity to develop your communication skills by carrying out either a one-to-one and group interaction. You will also complete a report on the communication skills you observed in a health, social care or early years setting.

AS Unit 3 exam unit (20% of final mark): Health and Well-Being

You will learn about a range of concepts related to health and well-being. You will investigate how a range of factors e.g. drugs, income and housing affect health and well-being. Organisations which contribute to health and well-being are investigated and health promotion campaigns are researched.

AS Unit 4 portfolio (10%of final mark): Safeguarding Children

In this unit students produce a written report and an information resource for staff working in an early years setting. You will research psychology theories and developmental norms on a child aged one to eight.

AS Unit 5 exam unit (20% of final mark): Adult Service Users

This unit allows you to gain an insight into the needs of specific adult client groups e.g. older people or clients with learning disabilities. You will also investigate how a range of services meet these needs. Students will also investigate the potential impact of ‘Transforming Your Care ‘on Service provision based on the future models for integrated health and social care.

AS Unit 6 portfolio (10% of final mark): Holistic Therapies

You will be given the opportunity to investigate the holistic approach to the treatment of various medical conditions. You will also research a range of holistic therapies and evaluate their effectiveness.

A2 Unit 1 portfolio (15% of final mark): Applied Research

This unit gives you the opportunity to study in depth a health, social care on early years topic by carrying out your own individual research. You will learn about the research process and complete a research report.

A2 Unit 2 portfolio (15% of final mark): Body Systems and Physiological Disorders

You will have the opportunity to monitor the body systems of two individuals and gain an understanding of how the body functions. You will also investigate a physiological disorder, how it is diagnosed, the treatments available and the practitioners involved in their care.

A2 Unit 3 exam (30% of final mark): Providing Services

You will research the job roles of a range of health, social care and early year’s practitioners. The effect of legislation on service provision is also investigated. You will also research the needs of different client groups and how they access a range of services.

A2 Unit 4 portfolio (15% of final mark): Health Promotion

In this unit you will explore the way health professionals work with clients to improve their health and well-being. You will also have the opportunity to plan and carry out a small scale health promotion campaign that reflects a current government priority within your own school.

A2 Unit 5 portfolio (15% of final mark): Supporting the Family

This unit gives you the opportunity to

investigate the functions of the family and explore how family structures have changed. You will also research how a range of services meet family needs.

Issues such as poverty and domestic violence are also addressed and you will research how the government supports families facing problems.

A2 Unit 7 exam (30% of final mark): Human Nutrition and Dietetics

In this unit you will study the dietary needs of a wide range of client groups. You will also investigate the link between diet and various diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease. Food safety regulations are also investigated.

How is it taught?

There is no requirement to have taken Health and Social Care at GCSE level. The course includes eight large coursework portfolio and four exam units over two years.

How will I be assessed?

At AS two external exams worth 40% and four internal portfolios work 40%. At A2 two external exams worth 60% and four internal portfolios work 60%.

Pathways to future careers/courses You may progress to third level education. This course provides a sound foundation for degree courses in nursing, social work and other health related qualifications.

Entry requirements

5 A*- C