CCEA GCE Single Award Health and Social Care
About the Course
The CCEA Health and Social Care specification appeals to students with an interest in health, well-being and caring for others. It gives students the opportunity to study a diverse range of subjects, including communication, social policy and psychology, and develop skills including research, investigation, and analysis. In the AS units, students explore values of care, learn about key concepts of health and wellbeing and the impact of health and ill health on individuals. At A2 students will explore the physiology of health, services provided in the health and social care system and health promotion. For a full GCE Single Award qualification students must complete six units: three at AS level and three at A2.
AS Level
At AS level students will complete two units of controlled assessment with a weighting of 25% each. The will them complete an exam in Summer with a weighting of 50%.
Unit AS 1: Promoting Quality Care (Controlled Assessment, 25%)
In this unit, students explore values of care. By investigating practices in a selected health, social care or early years setting, students learn how care workers apply the values on a daily basis. Students learn how legislation impacts on health, social care and early years’ settings. They evaluate the effectiveness of policies in promoting quality care. Students research one example of poor practice and its effects on the well-being of service users, potential service users, the staff responsible, families and care workers or the organisation
Unit AS 2: Communication in Health, Social Care and Early Years Settings (Controlled Assessment, 25%)
In this unit, students explore communication skills and techniques used in a health, social care or early years setting and develop their communication skills. Students gain an understanding of how important effective communication skills are in developing good relationships and promoting quality care. Students complete a report on the communication skills they observe in a health, social care or early years setting. They also evaluate their own communication skills by carrying out an interaction. This interaction must take place in the setting.
Unit AS 3: Health and Well-Being (Exam Unit, 50%)
In this unit, students learn about key concepts of health and well-being, the range of service users’ needs and the impact of health and ill health on individuals. They investigate a range of factors that affect health and well-being. Students examine health promotion approaches and consider the roles of a range of organisations responsible for health and well-being. Students recognise the impact of discrimination on health and well-being and the importance of anti-discriminatory practice in health, social care and early years’ settings
A2 Level
At A2 level students will complete two units of controlled assessment with a weighting of 25% each. The will them complete an exam in Summer with a weighting of 50%.
Unit A2 4: Public Health and Health Promotion (Controlled Assessment, 25%)
In this unit, students develop an understanding of public health issues in the UK and how they are being addressed in Northern Ireland. They select and carry out their own investigation of three public health issues and how they are being addressed. They also investigate one current health promotion campaign run by the Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland. They plan, implement and evaluate a small-scale health promotion activity either individually or in a group of no more than five. The activity should use at least one health promotion approach and may make use of existing health promotion materials. Appropriate settings for the activity may include schools, residential homes and day centres.
Unit A2 5: Supporting the Family (Controlled Assessment, 25%)
In this unit, students focus on changing and evolving family structures in today’s society. Students develop an understanding of factors that influence family life. They research the range of family structures and the functions of families. They also investigate the wide range of services available to families and the support that these services offer. Students produce a case study that describes their findings. They also investigate and produce a report on how statutory services and voluntary organisations support families with significant issues.
Unit A2 3: Providing Services (Exam Unit, 50%)
In this unit, students develop knowledge and understanding of service provision in the health, social care and early years’ sectors. Students learn about how services have developed and how they are structured, regulated and funded. They examine how policy, legislation and demographic characteristics can influence service provision. Students also explore the role of practitioners and how they work in partnership to identify and meet service users’ needs.
Service user groups include: children and families; older people; people with physical disabilities or illnesses; people with learning disabilities; and people with mental illnesses
Which other subjects will compliment this one?
These qualifications build on and use the knowledge and skills that are learned in your other subjects such as English, Childcare, Life and Health Science & Science. It will complement future study in Science or Psychology by allowing you to apply your knowledge and skills practically in a vocational context.
How will this subject help me in my application to Further/Higher Education and in my future career?
Many students with qualifications in Health and Social Care go on to have interesting and successful careers in childcare, nursing (both adult and Paediatric), midwifery, social work, teaching, paramedics, counselling and health visiting.