Health & Social Care

Course Full Title: Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma/Extended Certificate in Health, Social Care and Childcare

Exam Board: OCR

Specification code: 8533 (Diploma)/8531 (Extended)


Level 3 Health and Social Care


Cambridge Technicals in Health and Social Care offers  a wide range of centre assessed units with practical and wider project-based assessment opportunities, as well as examined units on Equality, diversity and rights in health and social care, Health, safety and security in health and social care,

Students wishing to study the diploma course will be able to undertake units in Anatomy and physiology for health and social care and Personalisation and a person centred approach to care, and Safeguarding.

Cambridge Technicals in Health and Social Care focuses on the skills, knowledge and understanding that today’s universities and employers demand. Students will practically apply their skills and knowledge in preparation for further study or the workplace.

You will have the opportunity to develop professional and personal skills through interaction with people who either work in the sector or require care or support, as well as theoretical knowledge and understanding to underpin their skills. This will allow them to offer specific, person-centred care and support and build positive relationships with the people they are working with, so that their needs and requirements are met whilst they maintain control of their own care and support.

Students studying this course will consider the real impacts to people living with conditions or illnesses such as the social, financial and psychological impacts, not just the signs, symptoms and treatment of faceless conditions or illnesses. Students will also learn about the legislation and guidance supporting health and social care, so that they can ensure the people they are working with are not only able to access all the care and support they are entitled to, but are also able to protect themselves from any harm or abuse whilst at work.


Why study Health and Social Care?


Want to be a nurse, midwife, paramedic, teacher, social worker, occupational therapist, health care assistant or study for a degree in psychology, social sciences, childhood studies or health studies then this is the course for you.

Studying Health and Social Care at Level 3 care is the perfect choice to prepare students who are compassionate, mature, dedicated people who want to work with some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

Studying this qualification at Level 3 will help prepare you to work in health and social care professions and will provide you with essential foundation skills to enable you to progress into jobs or further training in this field.


What will I study over the two years?


Over the two years you will study a variety of units related to health, social care or childcare.

Those studying the Single Extended Certificate qualification will be studying 6 units including Building positive relationships in health and social care, Anatomy and Physiology, Infection control, Equality and Diversity and Public Health.

Those students who select to study the Diploma will study 12 units in total, including the units required for the Extended Certificate, plus additional units such as Sexual Health, reproduction and early years, Supporting people with mental health conditions and the impact of long term physiological conditions.

There will be a variety of coursework and external examinations as methods of assessment.


What makes a good Health, Social and Childcare student?


To undertake this course, you need display a mature attitude towards this subject and its content. It would be a great course to study for a student that has an interest in other people and can demonstrate effective communication skills. You should be able to empathise with a person who may be ill or distressed.

Some of us are more suited to working in health and social care than others. The desire to want to learn how to give people the best life possible when they have health or social issues is one of the main criteria in this field.

You should be prepared to complete a high percentage of coursework, with strict deadlines and revise hard for external assessments.


Where could Health and Social Care take me?


Our health, social care and child care heroes are some of the most important members of our society. Throughout Covid-19 their importance has been highlighted by the media for all to see. They have worked through adversity and shown how important their job is at keeping our society functioning.

This qualification can lead to students studying nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, teaching and social work at university. It can also lead straight into the workplace for jobs such as healthcare assistants, care workers and nursery nurses. Furthermore, there are apprenticeships in health, social and childcare that offer training into various job roles.


What are the entrance requirements?


  • 5 or more grades 4-9; including equivalents across at least 4 subjects.
  • Maths and English Language Grade 4 or above
  • Average GCSE GRADE of at least 3.5 (average of ALL GCSE full courses taken)
  • Learners are not required to have studied Health and Social Care at Level 2, but this would be an advantage, with those students securing merit or higher, often doing better at Level 3


If you have any questions about our Health & Social Care course please email Mrs Vickers mvickers@oriel.w-sussex.sch.uk, who would be very happy to answer any questions.