Health and Social Care represents one of the biggest sectors for potential employment in the North East, and with 100% Triple Distinction/Distinction* (equivalent to AAA/A*A*A*) last year, our students are perfectly placed to take advantage of this.
This qualification isn’t just about caring for babies or the elderly and the ill; it will provide learners with the skills, knowledge and understanding to progress into Higher Education on a health and social care-related programme. You will learn a huge range of skills, and equip yourself for degree level study in fields ranging from Nursing, Social work, Midwifery to Primary Education.
The Extended Diploma is the equivalent of 3 A levels, and is taken on its own. You will follow a combination internally coursework assessed units and external examined units.
Entry Requirements
GCSEs at Grade 4 or above preferably including GCSE Mathematics, GCSE English Language and GCSE Science
Learners will still complete 4 mandatory and 2 optional units however the names of the units are different
Everybody will study the following mandatory units:
- Principles of Health & Social Care
- Person-centred approach to care
- Anatomy and physiology for health and social care
- Supporting people with mental health conditions
- Supporting people with long term physiological conditions
- Supporting healthy nutrition and lifestyles
This course gives learners a broad and practical understanding of how to support individuals across health and social care settings. You’ll explore key topics such as equality, diversity and rights, the impact of legislation, and how to recognise and prevent discriminatory practices and hazards.
The course also covers body systems and common conditions, including how these affect daily life, and the treatment and support available. You will learn how to take a person-centred approach to care planning, support individuals with mental health needs, and explore all aspects of sexual health and well-being. Additionally, the course looks at long-term physiological conditions, their causes, and how to manage their effects on lifestyle and independence. Throughout, you’ll develop the skills to provide tailored advice, care, and support to meet diverse individual needs.
Learners will take 17 or 18 units, made up of 10 mandatory and 7/8optional units.
Everybody will study the following mandatory units:
- Building positive relationships in health and social care
- Equality, diversity and rights in health and social care
- Health, safety and security in health and social care
- Anatomy and physiology for health and social care
- Infection control
- Personalisation and a person-centred approach to care
- Safeguarding
- Promote positive behaviour
- The impact of long-term physiological conditions
- Research methods in health, social care and childcare
These units will give learners an understanding of health and social care within the wider contexts of different environments and settings where care takes place, the different individuals that learners might meet and care for or support, the importance of effective communication in health and social care, the importance of legislation in health and social care and the principles behind the person-centred approach to care and how this is applied in the workplace. Learners will also develop transferable skills such as communication skills, research and investigative skills, planning and organisation.
Learners will then select additional units from a range of 15 optional units. These optional units will give learners an appreciation of workplace practices and an understanding of how to promote and support a healthy and active lifestyle.