Course overview

Welcome to the Health and Social Care (OCR Cambridge Technicals Level 3 Course

You have probably chosen this course as you are interested in finding out more about a future in health and social care; maybe you are interested in a career in nursing or a therapy of some description? Maybe you are interested in a career in education, or maybe you want to enter the police force? If you are passionate about helping people and it is important to you that you make an impact every single day, then you are on the right course for success. Taking this course in health and social care allows you to nurture your desire to help others, and at the same time, take the vital steps to earning a living.

Remember: the type of help needed in the health and social care industry expands across various sectors, meaning that no matter what your talent is, you’ll be able to do some good. This course will offer you an exciting opportunity to use the study of health and social care settings into one subject. You 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 conditions or illnesses. We will examine how to offer specific, person-centred care and build positive relationships with the people you are working with, so that their needs and requirements are met whilst they maintain control of their own care and support. We 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 they are entitled to, but are also able to protect themselves from any harm or abuse whilst at work.

What are the OCR Cambridge Technicals?

The Cambridge Technicals are vocational qualifications at Level 3 for students aged 16+. They’re designed with the workplace in mind and provide a high-quality alternative to A-levels. Vocational education is not just about results, it’s about educating people in the knowledge and skills required for employment and for the community as a whole. It’s also about developing the behaviours and attributes needed to progress and succeed in education and in work.

The Cambridge Technicals in health and social care have been developed to meet the changing needs of the sector and prepare you for the challenges you’ll face in Higher Education or employment. Designed in collaboration with experts spanning the breadth of the sector, the Cambridge Technicals focus on the skills, knowledge and understanding that today’s universities and employers demand. You will practically apply your skills and knowledge in preparation for further study or the workplace.

What skills and knowledge will I learn?

• professional and personal skills through interactions with people who work in the sector or who require care or support

• theoretical knowledge and understanding to underpin these skills

• specific, person-centred care and support

• the ability to build positive relationships with the people you are working with, so their needs and requirements are met whilst they maintain control of their own care and support

Next year you will take either three or six units, made up of mandatory and optional units. The mandatory units cover essential topics such as how to develop effective communication techniques for working in health and social care, equality; diversity and rights in health and social care; health safety and security in health and social care and a more biological focus of anatomy and physiology for health and social care. To give you a broad understanding of health and social care the two optional units we will be pursuing will focus on supporting people with mental health conditions and second is a unit on nutrition.

Achievement at unit level is graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Cambridge Technical Level 3 Award A Level equivalent grade

Examination units contribute 50% to the qualification grade

Assignment (coursework) units contribute 50% to the qualification grade

First year overview