Health and Social Care
Staff List and HOD Names
Ms Lois Murray (HOD)
Mrs Helena McAlister
Ms Michelle Mullan
Aims of Department
The Health & Social Care department is well established and very popular subject areas on the Key Stage 4 & 5 curriculum. With the recent challenging and subsequently changing times we find ourselves in, the need for professional care and support is needed more than ever. Courses in Health & Social Care offer many opportunities to study and experience the types of care that individuals need and progress to further study in to how this care can be practiced and used to benefit the health and well-being of everyone. Social care is about providing physical, emotional and social support to help people live their lives. For various reasons and at different stages in their lives, some people need support to develop and maintain their independence, dignity and control and we should remember that may be any of us now or in the future.
Outline of Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5
Key Stage 4
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The CCEA GCSE Health and Social Care specification provides opportunities for students to develop a broad knowledge and understanding of what is required for working in the health, social care and early years sectors.
In particular, our students learn about:
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human development through the main life stages and age ranges;
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factors affecting health and development, including behavioural, environmental, physical and socio-economic factors;
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how relationships influence social and emotional development;
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how a range of factors influence self-concept;
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major life changes and sources of support;
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how health and social care services meet a range of service users’ needs;
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barriers to health and social care services and how they can be overcome;
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job roles of a range of practitioners and how they apply the values of care in their day-to-day work; and
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the importance of safeguarding in health, social care and early years settings
Key Stage 5
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The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Children’s Play, Learning and Development gives an introduction to study of the sector. It is intended as an Applied General qualification, and is equivalent in size to one A Level. It supports access to a range of higher education courses, possibly but not exclusively in the early years sector, if taken alongside further Level 3 qualifications. No prior study of the sector is needed, but learners will normally have a range of achievement at Level 2 in GCSEs or equivalent qualifications. Students will complete 50 hours’ work experience in the sector.
Students taking this qualification will study three mandatory units which cover the following topics:
• children’s development
• communication and numeracy
• play and learning.
• physical development, care and health needs
• keeping children safe
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Career Opportunities
The following are potential careers from gaining Health & Social Care qualifications: -
Midwifery, Occupational and Physiotherapies, Nursing, Teaching, Practice Management,
Counselling, Psychology, Healthcare professional, Emergency and support Services,
Nursery Management, Clinical Researcher, Rehabilitation Services, Social Work,
Community support and outreach, Health Promotion Specialist, Youth Worker, Working in Mental Health, Speech Therapy, Disability Nursing and Support, Addiction Support, Early Intervention Autism support,, Childcare Assessors Play Coordinators, Care Team Supervising, Teaching to name a few.
Generally Level 2 courses will provide excellent pathways to Level 3 courses at the College or alternatively placements where Level 3 courses can be completed in vocational care settings. Completing Level 3 courses successfully will provide access to appropriate degree courses and work based learning opportunities in hospitals, care settings, support provision
and education.
Additional Information
http://www.publichealth.hscni.net/
http://www.nhs.uk/Pages/HomePage.aspx
British Nutrition Foundation