Course Overview

The Level 3 Certificate and Diploma in Health and Social Care: Principles and Contexts qualifications are suitable if you are interested in learning more about the health and social care sectors. It is an interesting course with varied content. For completion of the Diploma qualification, you will need to undertake a minimum of 100 hours of sector engagement, of which 60 hours must be spent undertaking a work placement. The sector engagement will ensure that you gain real-life experience and have the opportunity to experience different roles within health and social care to inform your future career.

Year 1 (Certificate)

Unit 1: Principles of care and safe practice within outcome-focused, person-centred care (NEA 20 hours)

This unit is internally assessed through a non-examination assessment (NEA): marked by your teacher, externally moderated by WJEC. In this unit you will gain knowledge and understanding of professional responsibilities, roles and accountabilities of health and social care workers within the sector you will also learn about the different factors such as codes of conduct and communication which impact care that is outcome focused.

Unit 2: Factors affecting individuals’ growth and development across the lifespan and how this impacts on outcomes, care and support needs (Exam 1 hour 45 minutes)

In this unit, assessed through an examination, you will gain knowledge and understanding of the factors that affect an individuals’ growth and development across the lifespan and the effects this can have on their personal well-being outcomes and care and support needs.

Unit 3: Promoting the rights of individuals across the lifespan (NEA 20 hours)

In this unit, assessed through a non-examination assessment (NEA), you will gain knowledge and understanding of the rights of individuals and the barriers to participation they may face, how these are promoted and challenged to improve health and well-being.

Year 2 (Diploma)

Unit 4: Understanding how the human body is affected by common conditions (NEA 15 hours)

In this unit, assessed through a non-examination assessment (NEA), you will gain knowledge and understanding of common conditions, types and causes, and will investigate how they can affect the human body, as well as examining the care and support available to individuals living with physiological conditions and the challenges they may face.

Unit 5: Supporting individuals at risk to achieve their desired outcomes (Exam 1 hour 45 minutes)

In this unit, assessed through an examination, you will gain knowledge and understanding of factors that could contribute to individuals being at risk of abuse and neglect, the requirements of legislation, regulation and codes of conduct and practice for safeguarding and protecting individuals at risk in health and social care and approaches to securing the rights of individuals.

Unit 6: Working in the health and social care sector (NEA 18 hours0

In this unit, assessed through a non-examination assessment (NEA), you will build on your knowledge and understanding of working in the health and social care sector through classroom teaching and through mandatory sector engagement (minimum 100 hours, which must include 60 hours work placement). You will need to keep a reflective diary of your experiences.

The specification provides a coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study even if you do not progress to further study in this subject, although you may also progress to other qualifications within Health and Social Care. It also provides a suitable foundation for the study of health and social care through a range of higher education courses, or apprenticeships.

5 A*-C GCSE’s or equivalents

If studied Level 2 Health and Social Care Principles and Contexts- Merit or above.