Course Description

The new BTEC Tech Award in Health and Social Care is an exciting and demanding course. The course is a vocational qualification aimed at students with a genuine interest in health or social care who may be looking to pursue a career in the health and social care industry, whether it is primary schools, secondary schools, social work, paramedic, nursing and midwifery, occupational therapy or even caring for the elderly/disabled. These are just a few of the many varied professions that this qualification supports.

Theoretical Components

The course consists of the following theoretical components, most of which are assessed through Pearson-set assignments:

· Human Lifespan Development

· Health and Social Care Services and Values

· Health and Wellbeing

Assessment Structure

All students will complete the following components; Human Lifespan Development and Health and Social Care Services and Values. Each component is broken down into specified tasks which target different learning aims. Tasks will be handed out and submitted within a  specified time frame set by the exam board, marked internally, moderated and returned to students with grade banding for each task completed. 

The Health and Wellbeing component is externally assessed in a written 2 hour assessment taken in Year 11. Edexcel sets and marks the assessment which is taken by the learner under examination conditions and is worth approximately 40% of the final mark.

Why study this subject?

The BTEC Tech Award is an introduction to vocational learning. This course is for students who wish to acquire knowledge, understanding and technical skills through vocational contexts as part of their Key Stage 4 learning. The course gives learners the opportunity to build applied knowledge and skills that show an aptitude for further learning, both in the sector and more widely. It recognises the value of learning skills, knowledge and vocational attributes to complement GCSEs and will broaden the learner’s experience and understanding of the varied progression options available to them.

There is no limit to progression options as the skills acquired are applicable to a range of post-16 study options.