Health & Social Care

Departmental  Staff

  • Head of Department: Mrs C. Hughes
  • Ms A.McCrink
  • Ms C.Fearon
  • Miss C.King
  • Miss C.McQuaide

Curriculum

GCSE (Year 11 & 12)

A two year course with exam board CCEA, comprising of two units.

The GCSE Health and Social Care specification encourages students to understand aspects of personal development and the health, social care and early years sectors by investigating and evaluating a range of services and organisations. They examine issues that affect the nature and quality of human life, including an appreciation of diversity and culture. They also develop a critical and analytical approach to decision making and problem solving.

Students investigate human development and factors that affect health and well-being, including relationships and major life changes. They also explore the values of care and how practitioners apply them.

  • Unit 1:Personal Development, Health and Well-Being

Unit 1 is an External written examination, 1 hour 30 mins, 100 marks
Students answer three questions that require short responses and extended writing.
It has 50% weighting of overall grade.

    • Unit 2: Working in the Health, Social Care and Early Years Sectors

Controlled assessment, 100 marks.  Students complete the controlled assessment task.

GCE (AS & A2)

Students studying Health and Social Care for the first time are welcome to take this course. However students must be aware that the specification examines and builds upon the concepts first introduced in GCSE Health and Social Care.

What can students do with a qualification in Health & Social Care?
This is an ideal course for students who want a broad background in health and social care. Many students with a qualification in GCE Health and Social Care go on to degree-level study in a variety of subjects such as health studies, social policy, social science, social studies, psychology, nursing and/or social work. Other students go on to complete a BTEC Diploma in Health and Social Care. Some students go straight into employment in the fields of health and social care

AS

CCEA exam board; comprising of three units, one exam and two controlled assessment units.

AS 1: Promoting Quality Care

  • Compulsory for AS Award Internal assessment
  • Students produce a written report based on practice in a health, social care or early
  • years setting that they have experienced.
  • 25% of AS 10% of A level
  • 12.5% of AS 5% of A level

AS 2: Communication in Health, Social Care and Early Years Settings

  • Compulsory for AS Award, Internal assessment
  • Students produce a written report on communication in a health, social care or
    early years setting.
  • 25% of AS 10% of A level
  • 12.5% of AS 5% of A level

AS 3: Health and Well-Being Compulsory for AS Award

  • External written examination 2 hours
  • Students answer three compulsory questions.
  • 50% of AS 20% of A level
  • 25% of AS 10% of A level

A2
CCEA exam board; comprising of three units, one exam and two controlled assessment units.

A2 3: Providing Services

  • Compulsory for A level Award
  • External written examination based on pre-release material
  • 2 hours Students answer three compulsory questions.
  • 30% of A level

A2 4: Health Promotion

    • Internal assessment
    • Students produce a report on health improvement priorities in Northern Ireland, undertake a health promotion activity and report their findings.
    • 15% of A level

A2 5: Supporting the Family

  • Internal assessment
  • Students produce a review of changes to family structure, a case study and a
    report on services for families experiencing issues.
  • 15% of A level