Health and Social Care
Our rationale is to provide a fluid and dynamic knowledge rich Key Stage 4 option curriculum, which gives learners, access and progress to KS5 and beyond. These courses will help learners to develop key transferable skills and knowledge such as self-evaluation and research skills.
Learners will study how people grow and develop over the course of their lives from infancy to old age, and the factors that may affect this, such as major life events like illness or parenthood. Learners will analyse this impact from a positive and negative viewpoint, demonstrating empathy. They may apply this to a person of their choice. Learners will understand how people adapt to these changes and the local and national health care and social care support that is available for them. Learners research a range of local health and social care services in their local community. They will look at how people access the local health and social care services provided and the support that is given in the local community to overcome barriers. There will be the opportunity to demonstrate and apply the key care values to scenarios. Learners develop skills in measuring and interpreting data about someone’s physiological health to design a care plan that will allow them to analyse and improve their health and wellbeing. Overall, learners should be given the opportunity to self-reflect about choices they make and how they affect others.
Learners will also benefit from guest speakers from their local community and beyond. Learners may be given the opportunity to visit and take part in work experience (Y12) in a variety of setting such as SEN schools, medical facilities and nursing homes. It will also be an intention to raise student aspirations by developing key links with universities for all students. Learners will also be able to draw on the knowledge and skills acquired from other GCSE subjects where relevant. Learners can use the knowledge and skills from GCSEs generally, giving them the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge to everyday and work contexts. It does not limit progression options because the skills acquired are applicable to a range of future pathways.
Careers:
Approximately 3 million people in the UK work in health and social care, which is equivalent to 1 in every 20 people. Demand for both health and social care is likely to continue to rise due to the ageing population, so it is sure to continue to play a key role in UK society. The demand for people to fill these vital jobs will continue to increase. In addition to the direct teaching of key employability skills, the Health and social care curriculum aims to prepare for and raise awareness of the wide-ranging roles within this sector.
