Health & Social Care
Intent
The Health and Social Care curriculum is designed to develop compassionate, knowledgeable, and skilled individuals who are prepared for further study and careers in the caring professions. We aim to provide students with a deep understanding of how to support the needs of others while promoting dignity, respect, and equality in health and social care settings.
Our curriculum builds students’ knowledge of human development, care values, and the practical application of skills across a range of real-world contexts. Through exploring topics such as life span development, individual care needs, and physiological conditions, students gain insight into the challenges people face and the professional approaches used to support them.
We encourage students to think critically, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively, which are essential qualities for anyone working in health, care, or early years settings. Practical experience is embedded across the course to help students apply their learning and prepare for meaningful roles in the wider world.
Our curriculum promotes empathy, resilience, and an awareness of the social and ethical responsibilities involved in health and social care. We aim to inspire students to become thoughtful, responsible individuals who are equipped to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Big Ideas
|
Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs |
Students will learn how to plan and provide care that meets the individual needs of people in health and social care settings. They will explore values like dignity, respect, and person-centred care, and understand how to work with others to support well-being. |
|
Physiological Disorders and Their Care |
Students will develop knowledge of different physiological disorders, their causes, symptoms, and treatments. They will also learn how care professionals support individuals with these conditions and how to create care plans based on individual needs. |
|
Human Life Span Development |
Students will explore how people grow and change throughout life, from infancy to old age. They will learn about physical, emotional, social, and intellectual development, and understand how life events and circumstances can affect individuals differently. |
|
Working in Health and Social Care |
Students will gain insight into what it’s like to work in health and social care. They will learn about the roles and responsibilities of professionals, how they work together, and the laws and policies that guide safe and effective practice. |
Overview
Year 12
Students begin with Unit 1: Human Lifespan Development, an externally assessed unit (exam). This unit introduces key concepts in human development across life stages, including:
- Physical, intellectual, emotional, and social development
- The influence of nature vs nurture
- Life events and how individuals respond to change
- The impact of life circumstances and support systems
Students apply their understanding to real-life scenarios, analysing how development is shaped over time.
After the Unit 1 exam, students progress to Unit 5: Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs, a coursework-based unit. This unit builds understanding of person-centred care and how to meet the diverse needs of service users through:
- Principles and values of care (e.g., dignity, respect, safeguarding)
- Roles of professionals and multidisciplinary teams
- Ethical issues and challenges in care planning
- Application of legislation and policies in health and social care
Assessment includes written reports, case studies, and reflective evaluations.
Year 13
The year begins with Unit 2: Working in Health and Social Care, an exam unit that explores the roles, responsibilities, and day-to-day work of professionals in the sector. Students learn about:
- The roles of healthcare and social care professionals
- Skills and attributes required in care work
- How to manage risks and respond to incidents
- The importance of effective communication and safeguarding