
What is it?
Health and social care is a platform to enter nursing and allied health professions, education and social work. The course involves a range of topics, work related projects and placements, which will prepare you for your future career.
Why study this subject at Blackpool Sixth?
We offer two pathways in health and social care: nursing cadetship (you must study the triple course for this) or general health and social care studies. Students will undertake 30 hours of work placement in one setting alongside other opportunities such as first aid training and clinical skills workshops. We achieve excellent upper high grades and 100% high grades and pass rate. We also invite in a large variety of guest speakers, including: Highfurlong School, Starbuddies (breastfeeding awareness), nurses from Blackpool Victoria Hospital (how to get into nursing), Wyre and Fylde Children’s Centres, health promotion and sexual/domestic violence training, how to get into teaching and Neuro Linguistic Programming.
What skills will I develop?
You will be able to develop and build skills in:
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Clinical skills
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First Aid qualification
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Caring for a variety of service users
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Teamwork
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Independent study/learning
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Assessment and evaluation skills
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Application skills
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Communication and interpersonal skills
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Confidence
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Organisational skills
How will I be taught?
We offer two pathways in health and social care: nursing cadetship (you must study the triple course for this) or general health and social care studies. Students will complete one block placement of 100 hours work experience and will also have the opportunity to engage with additional programmes such as first aid training and clinical skills workshops. In the second year some student’s will have the opportunity to take part in the Cadetship programme working in partnership with NHS teaching hospitals and will volunteer two days a week at Blackpool Victoria Hospital. We achieve excellent high grades and 100% pass rate. We also invite in a large variety of guest speakers, including: Highfurlong School, Starbuddies (breastfeeding awareness), nurses from Blackpool Victoria Hospital (how to get into nursing), Wyre and Fylde Children’s Centres, health promotion and sexual/domestic violence training, how to get into teaching and Neuro Linguistic Programming.
Assessment
4 units are externally assessed (a combination of exams and controlled assessment)
8 units are internally assessed through coursework
Teacher Expertise
Teachers have a range of specialisms within Health and Social Care including; dementia care, nursing, caring for those with developmental disorders, clinical practice/skills, first aid and have taught a range of qualifications including health, psychology and sport.
Within the team, tutors maintain excellent community links with employers to offer a wide variety of work placement opportunities, they also examine for multiple qualifications, including Psychology and Level 2 and 3 BTEC Health & Social Care exams.
Field trips, projects and employability opportunities
Trips that have been run previously are:
Kidz Up North
Edge Hill University
Chester University
Disneyland Paris Conference
Police Riot Training
Projects:
Dementia Project with Fashion Department
Worked as within the Teaching Experience Programme
Mission Christmas with Rock FM
Guest Speakers:
Mindfulness/Stress Management
Autism Spectrum Condition Training
Nurses, Social Worker, Teachers
Youth Mental Health Worker
MAC Memory Clinic
Star Buddies
Adult and Long Term Careers Event
6Advance:
Clinical Skills – Run by our HSC teachers with previous nursing experience.
Employability:
All students will need to complete a minimum of 100 hours work experience for the course. This will be through a three week block placement.
Specialised Nursing Cadetship Programme with Blackpool Victoria Hospital is also available via application
Where does it lead?
Our students typically go on to University and gain careers in:
- Nursing
- Social Work
- Midwifery
- Teaching
- Radiography
- Sexual Health
- Youth Support Work
Specific Requirements
A grade 4 in GCSE Science. Some nursing/midwifery courses at university may require grade 5 or above in GCSE Maths, English Language and/or Science. Completion of DBS check.
Equipment
We are on the Technology for Learning scheme, so you will need to have access to a device to enable you to work collaboratively in class and access a range of digital resources.
Exam Board
Pearson – Edexcel
What will I study?
You will learn the core elements of health and social care including:
Human Lifespan Development
Working in Health and Social Care
Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care
Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs
Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care
Promoting Public Health
Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs
Physiological disorders and their care