Around 3 million people work in health and social care within the UK, and increase inline with the needs of the aging population, needs across social care in relation to SEND, and mental health which is on an increase in the current climate. There are many different health care roles across the sector from doctors, pharmacists, nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants, while social care roles include care assistants, occupational therapists, counsellors and administrators.

Together, they account for nearly one in ten of all paid jobs in the UK. Demand for both health and social care is likely to rise, so they will continue to play a key role in UK society and the demand for people to carry out these vital roles will increase.

At Oaks Park we offer a broad range of GCSEs, including English, mathematics and science. This qualification has been designed to allow learners to draw on the knowledge and skills acquired from these subjects where relevant and to apply them to a vocational course and future work contexts. There are also strong opportunities for post-16 progression in this important sector.

The main focus is on four areas of equal importance, which cover the:

• development of key skills that prove your aptitude in health and social care such as interpreting data to assess an individual’s health
• process that underpins effective ways of working in health and social care, such as designing a plan to improve an individual’s health and wellbeing
  attitudes that are considered most important in health and social care, including
• the care values that are vitally important in the sector, and the opportunity to practise applying them
• knowledge that underpins effective use of skills, process and attitudes in the sector such as human growth and development, health and social care services, and factors affecting people’s health and wellbeing.

This course is also an opportunity to learn about different needs and factors that affect how we develop across the life stages and how we are aided in this from services available.

Human Lifespan Development - Learners will investigate how, in real situations, human development is affected by different factors and that people deal differently with life events.

The is a unit divided into two parts,

1a: Studying the development we go through from birth to death in relation to our PIES (physical, Intellectual, Emotional and Social development) as well as factors that affect this development (physical, social/cultural, economic)

1b: Studying the life events we are impacted by and the impact of these on individuals and how different approaches impact how we overcome these.

This is an internally assessed unit that incorporates a controlled assessment that is completed onsite under exam conditions, graded at a across 5 grade points including level 1 pass, level 1 merit, level 2 pass, level 2 merit and level 2 distinction.

Health and Social care Services and Values - Learners study and explore practically, health and social care services and how they meet the needs of real service users. They also develop skills in applying care values. This unit is again divided into two parts,

2a: Studying the different types of health and social care services in the UK and barriers an individual may face in accessing them such as geographical, financial, awareness etc.

2b. Studying the 7 care values applied in health and social care provision, how to be critical and review own practice and application of the care values and why this is so important for service users receiving the services.

This is an internally assessed unit that incorporates a controlled assessment that is completed onsite under exam conditions, graded at a across 5 grade points including level 1 pass, level 1 merit, level 2 pass, level 2 merit and level 2 distinction.

Unit 3

Health and wellbeing - Learners will study the factors that affect health and wellbeing, learning about physiological and lifestyle indicators, and how to design a health and wellbeing improvement plan. In this component, you look at the factors that can have a positive or negative influence on a person’s health and wellbeing. You will learn to interpret physiological and lifestyle indicators, and what they mean for someone’s state of health. You will learn how to use this information to design an appropriate plan for improving someone’s health and wellbeing, including short- and long-term targets. Additionally, you will explore the difficulties an individual may face when trying to make these changes. You will develop skills in analysing information and communicating for a specific purpose, which will support your progression to Level 2 or 3 vocational or academic qualifications.

Learners will be given a case study and will assess an individual’s health and wellbeing, drawing on their understanding of life events from Component 1. They will design a health and wellbeing improvement plan that draws on their knowledge of services and care values from Component 2.

A task worth 60 marks will be completed under supervised conditions (an externally marked exam piece) and are awarded across 6 grade points, level 1 pass, level 1 merit, level 1 distinction, level 2 pass, level 2 merit and level 2 distinction.

2 internal assessments (coursework) totalling 60% of the qualification

1 external assessment (exam) totalling 40% of the qualification

The three components focus on the assessment of knowledge, skills and practices. These are all essential to developing a basis for progression and, therefore, learners need to achieve all components in order to achieve the qualification.

Study of the qualification as part of Key Stage 4 learning will help learners to make more informed choices for further learning, either generally or in this sector.
The choices that learners can make post-16 will depend on their overall level of attainment and their performance in the qualification.Learners who generally achieve at Level 2 across their Key Stage 4 learning might consider progression to:

• A Levels as preparation for entry to higher education in a range of subjects
• study of a vocational qualification at Level 3, such as a BTEC National in Health and Social Care, which prepares learners to enter employment or apprenticeships, or to move on to higher education by studying a degree in aspects of health or social care. or T levels which is the new series of qualifications from BTEC consisting of triple the offer equvilent to 3 A Levels in Health
• Apprenticeship in Health and Social care: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/study-and-training/apprenticeships

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/study-and-training/apprenticeships

Thiswebsite will help you see the availability of future progression within the sector after studying the course

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/z74vkmn

This will help you understand the importance of the approaches used in caring for individuals and how to apply them

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/RywYFwPf9PWfp7CgqGBJ9q/make-it-into-health-and-social-care

This can show individuals the different roles and what they incorporate within the health and social care sector

The health and social care sector remains one of the UK’s largest and most important employment industries, providing work for over three million people across a wide range of roles. It offers rewarding and meaningful careers for those who want to make a positive difference to individuals and communities while enjoying long-term job security.

The Pearson BTEC AAQ National in Health and Social Care equips learners with essential knowledge, practical understanding, and transferable skills required for further study or employment. Through research, extended writing, and applied learning, students develop confidence and professional awareness, preparing them for higher education or diverse roles within this vital and growing sector.

Human lifespan development

The unit explores how individuals grow and change physically, intellectually, emotionally, and socially from infancy through to later adulthood. Learners study the key life stages, factors that influence development such as genetics, environment, and life events, and how these shape health and wellbeing. The unit helps students apply developmental theories and real-life case studies to understand how people’s experiences and relationships impact their overall development, preparing them to support individuals effectively in health and social care settings.

Human Biology and Health

The unit explores how the body’s systems function and work together to maintain overall health and wellbeing. Learners study key systems including the cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems, linking structure to function. The unit also examines how lifestyle factors, diet, and disease impact health. Students apply biological knowledge to health and social care contexts, developing understanding essential for recognising ill health and supporting individuals’ physical wellbeing.

Principles of Health and Social care Practice

The unit examines the core values, principles, and standards   that underpin effective care delivery. Learners explore key concepts such as person-centred practice, empowerment, communication, equality, diversity, and inclusion. The unit also considers how legislation, professional guidelines, and organisational policies influence daily practice. Through applying ethical principles and reflective thinking, students develop the skills and understanding needed to provide safe, compassionate, and high-quality care that meets the diverse needs of individuals in health and social care settings.

Promoting Health Education 

The unit focuses on understanding how to improve health and wellbeing through effective health promotion. Learners explore key principles of health education, factors influencing health, and national strategies aimed at reducing health inequalities. The unit develops students’ ability to plan, deliver, and evaluate a health promotion campaign targeted at a specific audience. By examining real examples and applying theory to practice, learners gain insight into how health education empowers individuals and communities to make positive lifestyle choices and improve overall public health.

2 externally moderated units (exams) Unit 1 & 2 (Year 1)

2 internally moderated units (coursework) Unit 5 & 14 (Year 2)

Successful completion can lead to degrees (e.g., Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, Criminology, Education) or to employment/apprenticeships across health and care. 

The sector remains one of the UK’s largest employers with persistent shortages, offering strong prospects. 

Typical pay ranges include Band 5 nursing (~£31k), social work (£32k–£48k+), and public health management (Band 8a–8b: ~£56k–£75k+).

Pearson L3 Alternative Academic Qual BTEC National in Health and Social Care (Extended Certificate) Specification  

Useful websites

• British Library Social Welfare Portal 
• Children & Young People Now 
• Community Care 
• DrugWise 
• The Edge 
• Ethics Unwrapped 
• Health Care & Midwifery 
• Healthtalk.org 
• Include Programme - for Young Carers 
• Joseph Rowntree Foundation 
• The King’s Fund 
• The National Autistic Society 
• National Children’s Bureau 
• National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 
• Poverty and Social Exclusion 
• Research in Practice 
• Students 4 Best Evidence (S4BE) 
• Trip Database 
• The Trussell Trust 
• UK Data Service 
• Welfare weekly 
• Young Minds 

 Statistic

• Family Resources Survey 
• Global Health Observatory (GHO) 
• Gov. UK - Public Health Statistics 
• Life Opportunities Survey 
• Office for National Statistics (ONS) -Health & Social Care Statistics 
• The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development 
• Public Health Observatories 
• Social Care Statistics 

Statistic

• Family Resources Survey 
• Global Health Observatory (GHO) 
• Gov. UK - Public Health Statistics 
• Life Opportunities Survey 
• Office for National Statistics (ONS) -Health & Social Care Statistics 
• The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development 
• Public Health Observatories 
• Social Care Statistics 

Government and professional bodies

• Child & Maternal Health Observatory Website 
• Equality and Human Rights Commission 
• Health & Safety for Health & Social Care services 
• Health & Social Care Information Centre 
• Institute of Healthcare Management 
• LGA - Social care, health and integration 
• Medical Research Council 
• NHS Confederation Acronym Buster 
• Nursing & Midwifery Council 
• Public Health England – Guidance 
• Social care institute for excellence 
• Social Care Online 
• Social Care TV 

GCSE Sociology helps students to gain knowledge and understanding of key social structures, processes and issues through the study of families, education, crime and deviance and social stratification.

Students will develop their analytical, assimilation and communication skills by comparing and contrasting perspectives on a variety of social issues, constructing reasoned arguments, making substantiated judgements and drawing reasoned conclusions.

By studying sociology, students will develop transferable skills including how to:

• investigate facts and make deductions
• develop opinions and new ideas on social issues
• analyse and better understand the social world

The Sociological Approach

You will learn about what sociology is, and the key social structures processes and issues that are debated in sociology.  You will also learn about the key sociological thinkers, including Karl Marx, Emile Durkheim and Max Weber

The Sociology of Families and Households
You will learn about the diverse forms of the family in Britain and sociological approaches to the family, as well as changes and patterns in role and authority relationships within the family and divorce and marriage.

The Sociology of Education
You will learn about the role and function of the education system, achievement of different groups and relationships and processes within schools.

Sociological Research Methods

You will learn about the variety of research methods that sociologists use to research social life.  You will learn how to apply research methods to the study of families and education and how to critically evaluate them.

The Sociology of Crime and Deviance
You will learn about sociological explanations of crime and deviance, social control, social construction of crime and crime data.

The Sociology of Social Stratification
You will learn about different theories of stratification looking at the unequal distribution of wealth, income, status and power. You will study how life chances are influenced by social inequalities based on class, gender, ethnicity, age and religion.

Paper 1: Written Exam – 1 hour 45 mins: 50% of total mark

Paper 2: Written Exam – 1 hour 45 mins: 50% of total mark

Sociology is particularly useful for students who want to work with people and in a wide range of occupations. Some examples are:

• Criminology/Police Service
• Law
• Social Work
• Public Relations
• Personnel Management
• Teaching
• Marketing

It is useful if you wish to study subjects like social policy, law, midwifery, social work or criminology at university.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zbbw2hv

BBC Bitesize is great for GCSE revision.

www.guardianunlimited.co.uk

This site gives you news articles relevant to your topics- just type in the subject.

www.ons.gov.uk

This site gives you government statistics on crime, education, stratification and families.

Are you interested in how humans learn to behave like humans?

Are you interested in how society is changing?

Are you interested in how individuals develop their identity?

Are you interested in how society stereotypes?

If you answered ‘YES’ then Sociology might be a subject for you!

Sociology is the study of society and human social behaviour; it appeals because you can apply what you learn to everyday life. An A’ level in sociology will equip you with skills valued by universities and employers: critical analysis, the ability to form coherent written arguments, explaining difficult concepts and interpreting data. It will also give you a greater understanding of people and the world in which you live.

Topics in Sociology

Families and Households
Couples
Childhood

Theories of the family

Demography

Changing family patterns

Family diversity

Families and social policy

Beliefs in Society:
Theories of religion

Religion and social change

Secularaisation

Religion, renewal and choice

Organisations, movements and members

Ideology and science

Crime and Deviance with Theory and Methods

Crime and Deviance

Functionalist, strain and subcultural theories

Interactionism and labelling theory

Class, power and crime

Realist theories of crime

Gender, crime and justice

Ethnicity, crime and justice

Crime and the media

Globalisation, green crime, human rights and state crime

Sociological Theory
Sociology and science

Objectivity and values in sociology

Functionalism

Marxism

Feminist theories

Action theories

Globalisation, modernity and postmodernity

Sociology and social policy

3 Exams

Careers:
- Social Worker
- Community Worker
- Law
- Housing manager/planner
- Social Researcher (informing Government)
- Information Scientist
- Journalist
- Prison Governor
- Police Officer

Higher Education Courses:
- Sociology
- Social Policy
- Criminology
- Social Work
- Journalism
- Law
- Anthropology

https://napierpress.com/

https://hecticteachersalevelsociologysite.wordpress.com/