Health & Social Care

Health & Social Care equips students with the knowledge, practical skills and professional behaviours required for progression into healthcare, early years and social care sectors.

Students explore person-centred care, equality and diversity, safeguarding, communication and ethical practice through applied and vocational contexts.

Core strands:

  • Person-centred care

  • Equality, diversity and rights

  • Safeguarding and duty of care

  • Communication in care settings

  • Health improvement and wellbeing

  • Mental health awareness

  • Research and evidence-based practice

The curriculum is sequenced to develop foundational care values at KS4 before moving into more complex theoretical and research-led study at KS5.

Assessment combines external examinations with internally assessed coursework and NEA units.

Independent learning includes case study analysis, structured exam practice, reflective evaluation and research tasks.

 

Key Stage 3

Health & Social Care is not taught at KS3 as a discrete subject. It is an option pathway beginning in Year 10.

Care-related themes are introduced through:

  • Personal Development curriculum

  • Core Religious Studies

  • Science curriculum

These provide contextual foundations for students who choose the course at KS4.

Key Stage 4 – OCR Cambridge National (CNAT)

Students follow the OCR Cambridge National in Health & Social Care qualification.

Curriculum Structure

  • RO32 – Principles of Care in Health & Social Care (exam)

  • RO33 – Supporting Individuals Through Life Events

  • RO34 – Creative and Therapeutic Activities

Students develop understanding of care values, safeguarding, communication, health indicators and health improvement planning before applying this through practical coursework.

Responsive teaching is informed by QLA following mock examinations, particularly in extended 6- and 8-mark responses and application of legislation.

KS4 Curriculum Overview

Term Year 10 Year 11
Autumn 1 RO32 – Principles of Care RO32 – Exam Preparation & QLA
Autumn 2 RO32 – Safeguarding & Legislation RO34 – Creative Activities Coursework
Spring 1 RO33 – Life Events & Support RO34 – Coursework Completion
Spring 2 RO33 – Health Improvement Planning RO33 – Coursework Completion
Summer 1 RO34 – Creative & Therapeutic Activities Revision & Bespoke Intervention
Summer 2 Coursework Consolidation Final Examination Preparation

Year 11 includes targeted intervention informed by coursework moderation and exam analysis.

Sixth Form

Health & Social Care provision is currently being reformed.

Year 12 (from September 2026)

Students will follow the OCR AAQ Health & Social Care qualification.

Core components include:

  • Person-centred approaches to care

  • Mental health conditions and support strategies

  • Research methods in health and social care

  • Infection control and professional practice

  • Public health and health promotion

The reformed curriculum increases academic rigour, extended writing and research-based study in preparation for university and professional pathways.

Year 13 (Legacy Pathway)

Current Year 13 students complete the OCR CTECH Health & Social Care qualification.

This includes examined units and NEA components focusing on:

  • Equality, diversity and rights

  • Mental health support

  • Person-centred care

  • Research and applied practice

KS5 Curriculum Overview

Term Year 12 (AAQ – from 2026) Year 13 (Legacy CTECH)
Autumn 1 Person-centred Approaches Exam Unit Consolidation
Autumn 2 Mental Health Conditions NEA Completion
Spring 1 Infection Control & Public Health Research Unit
Spring 2 Research Methods Exam Preparation
Summer 1 Applied Practice Assessment Revision & Intervention
Summer 2 Assessment Window Final Examination

Students develop independence, critical evaluation skills and professional-level written communication.

Literacy, Careers and Personal Development

Vocabulary
Students develop secure understanding of terminology including safeguarding, duty of care, discrimination, empowerment, person-centred practice, MDT, legislation, health indicators and mental health conditions.

Knowledge Organisers
Structured knowledge organisers support recall of legislation (Equality Act 2010, Health and Safety at Work Act), care values and professional standards.

Careers Links
The curriculum supports progression into:

  • Nursing

  • Social work

  • Occupational therapy

  • Mental health support

  • Early years education

  • Public health

  • NHS and care-sector apprenticeships

Professional behaviours and employability skills are embedded throughout.

SMSC / Personal Development

Health & Social Care develops:

  • Empathy and compassion

  • Ethical reasoning

  • Respect for diversity

  • Cultural awareness

  • Moral responsibility

  • Reflective practice

Students are prepared to contribute positively to society and to work responsibly with vulnerable individuals.