Length of Course

1 year (4 GCSE equivalent on successful completion)

Examination Board

EDEXCEL

Assesment Methods and Component Percentages

The Intermediate Health and Social Care is made up of six units (three compulsory and three optional).
Your teachers or lecturers internally assess two thirds of the units through assignments that are set and marked.
One third of the units are externally assessed through tests, set assignments, projects or case studies.   

Entry Requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course, however you should have a good record of attendance and punctuality and have a lively and enquiring mind.  You should also have an interest in Health and Social Care and show willingness to explore new ideas.  You will need to be able to communicate these ideas effectively.

What You Will Learn

You will:

• Gain a broad understanding of health, social care and be able to study selected areas in depth.
• Develop skill, knowledge and understanding in health and social care
• Have an opportunity to apply learning in a practical and realistic way via work placements.
• Develop skills that are highly valued by employers and further education.
• Gain confidence by developing independent learning skills.

Units undertaken.
Unit 1     Health, Social Care and Early Years Provision.
Unit 2     Promoting Health and Well-being.
Unit 3     Understanding Personal Development (external assessment).
Unit 5     Planning and preparing food for clients (external assessment).
Unit 8     Child Development and Child Care.
Unit 9     Using creative activities in care.

How You Will Learn

Learning will take place in a variety of ways.  Some formal teaching will be undertaken to underpin the knowledge required to undertake the assignments, case studies and formal tests.
Some learning will take place in work placements or during independent research either on site in the school library or off sit at the local library or in Health and Social Care settings.

Subject Expectations

As there is a high level of outside involvement with this subject it is expected that students undertaking the course will attend all lessons regularly with any absence kept to a minimum.  All appointments should be made out of school hours.  Students are expected to telephone the school before 8.30am if they are unable to attend for any reason.  Students are also expected to arrive on time to all sessions with all the correct equipment. 
A number of work placements will be undertaken throughout the year for which the students are responsible for ensuring the reputation of Minster College is upheld.  Travel arrangements are the student’s own responsibility.

Career Opportunities

Students gaining an Intermediate GNVQ in Health and Social Care will have access to a range of career and further education opportunities.  You learn and use a variety of skills throughout the course, including collecting and interpreting data, communicating your findings in different ways, and identifying and developing the links between different parts of the subject. 
These skills are in great demand and are recognised and highly valued by employers’ and colleges.

An Intermediate GNVQ in Health and Social Care can combine well with GCSEs, NVQs and health related qualifications.  Combined with any of these qualifications it supports progression to the Advanced GNVQ in Health and Social Care and the Early Years National Diploma.

Some students choose to use their qualification to go straight into employment, rather than go onto further education.  In completing this course GNVQ students develop the skills and the Key Skills that employers are looking for, you can consider a very wide range of employment opportunities in health and care settings, including early years, social care and health care.

Key Skills

This subject offers opportunities for students to develop the nationally specified Key Skills.  The development of student Key Skills enrich their programme of study.  It will also allow them to gain acknowledged qualifications that is valued by employers and providers of higher education.

Staff Contact

If you would like more details please contact Mrs J Read.