Applied Health and Social Studies

What will I study at Key stage 4?

This is a double option vocational course

A Double GCSE in Health & Social Studies is a nationally recognised work-related qualification designed to provide you with a choice into further education or employment. It is made up of three units.

Unit 1: Health, Social Care and Early Years Provision:

The care industry is split into three areas, health care, social care and early years care. You will look at what each of the services does and how they work together to provide care of different people. You will find out above the many different jobs that are on offer within the care industry and how people must behave in these jobs.

Unit 2: Promoting Health and Well-being:

This unit will help you look after your own health and well-being and understand ways of helping others. There are many things that affect people’s health and well-being from a balanced diet and exercise to having an interesting job. You will learn how to recognise poor health and well-being and how to put it right.

Unit 3: Understanding Personal Development and Relationships:

As people get older they change. They grow in size, they change the way they think and act. You will find out about the different stages of life and the different relationships that people have. You will, for example, look at the family and how people are changed by the birth of a baby.

What assessments will I do?

During the course you will carry out a number of assignments based on Units 1 and 2. In Unit 2, for example, you will be asked to produce a health plan. The health plan could be for an elderly relative, or a friend who is training for a sports event.

After completing your assignment your teacher will mark your work. During your course you will build up a folder (portfolio) containing your work from Units 1 and 2. This portfolio will count towards your final grade.

As part of your course you will take a written exam paper based on Unit 3, set and marked by the exam board.

Why should I do Vocational Studies?

Students gaining a GCSE in Health and Social Studies will have access to a range of career and education opportunities. You will use a variety of skills throughout the course, including collecting and interpreting data and communicating your findings in different parts of the subject. These skills are in great demand and are recognised and highly valued by employers and colleges.

The GCSE in Health and Social Studies is a good starting point for jobs in the care services such as nursing, social worker, care assistant and working with children. The options open to you depend on the results achieved, entry requirements and your own interests, your teacher will be able to help you decide on the next step.

What courses or employment can I progress to at the end of my course?

If you wish to continue studying health and social care in a vocational context, you may consider a Vocational A level or double A level. You may wish instead to study one of the three related BTEC National courses in Caring, Health Studies or Early Years. Otherwise, you may wish to study an Advanced Subsidiary or Advanced GCE in Psychology or Social Policy. You can then continue your studies in Higher Education on either a BTEC Higher National or Degree. There are a large variety of higher education courses that are based around health and social care.

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