Certificate in Health and Social Care

Course Code

Diploma

Course Type

Course Duration

2 Years

Start Date

1 September, 2025
Health class with two students and a teacher giving advice

This Health and Social Care qualification is ideal for school leavers who aspire to work as nurses, social workers, paramedics or physiotherapists, and it is also suitable for those aiming to progress to higher education in related fields, including nursing, social work, public health, and other allied health professions. Equivalent to one A Level, it is intended to be taken alongside other A Levels or vocational qualifications at Central Saint Michael’s as part of a broader study programme.

Content Overview

Combining theoretical knowledge with practical skills, you will study topics such as human lifespan development, health and safety, safeguarding, equality and diversity, and person-centred care. Units are assessed by a mixture of written examinations and coursework, and include:
• Principles of health and social care
• Anatomy and physiology for health and social care
• Person-centred approaches to care
• Supporting individuals with mental health conditions
• Public health strategies

The OCR Level 3 Cambridge Advanced National (AAQ) in Health and Social Care is structured over two years. In Year 1 you will complete the Certificate and in Year 2 the Extended Certificate.

Year 1: Certificate (180 Guided Learning Hours)
• Unit F090: Principles of Health and Social Care
This unit explores the foundational concepts of equality, diversity, and rights within health and social care settings.
• Unit F092: Person-Centred Approach to Care
This unit focuses on understanding and applying person-centred approaches to care, emphasising the importance of tailoring care to individual needs.

These units lay the groundwork for understanding the core values and practices essential in health and social care environments.

Year 2: Extended Certificate (360 Guided Learning Hours)
You will build upon your knowledge with additional units, such as:
• Unit F091: Safeguarding in Health and Social Care
This unit delves into the policies and procedures that protect individuals from harm and abuse in health and social care settings.
• Unit F093: Health, Safety, and Security in Health and Social Care
This unit examines the importance of maintaining a safe and secure environment for both service users and providers.
• Unit F094: Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care
This unit provides an understanding of human anatomy and physiology, essential for those pursuing clinical roles.

These units are designed to deepen your understanding and prepare you for higher education or employment in health and social care sectors.

All students studying A Levels should have at least five GCSEs at grade 9 – 5 in academic subjects, including English Language at grade 5. Two of these should ideally be grade 6. Specifically for Health and Social Care, you will need GCSE Double Science at grade 5 or above, or two GCSEs in Science, including Biology, at grade 5 or above, and GCSE Maths at grade 4 or above.

Guest Speaker Sessions – Talks from practising nurses and midwives and university lecturers on careers in health and social care and allied health professionals.
Elevate Education ‘Ace your Exams’ Workshop – A student-focused session aimed at improving memory, recall, and exam performance strategies.
University Taster Day – Visits from Newman University, who provide support with interviews, writing personal statements and practical tasks in health and social care, e.g. hand washing and taking blood pressure.
Mental Health Awareness Workshops – Collaborative sessions with external organisations focusing on wellbeing, stress management, and understanding mental health.

For when you’re not studying, we offer a whole range of enrichment activities which are not only good fun but help you make friends, develop new skills and add to your CV and university applications. There are trips and visits to bring your studies to life, and you can get involved in sport, debating and many other activities.
Through the Student Union and our college committees, you can get involved in volunteering, enterprise, fundraising projects or the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. We run societies like the Medical Society for you to join and we organise events and festivals to celebrate our inclusive and diverse community. As for entertainment, we regularly host film nights and go on theatre trips to see live productions.

External Assessment (Exams)
• Some units are assessed by written exams.
• These exams are usually taken at the end of the year (or at scheduled points).
• Exams test your understanding of key theories, principles, and professional practices.
• Examples of exam-assessed units:
– Principles of Health and Social Care (F090)
– Safeguarding in Health and Social Care (F091)

Key points:
• Exams are set and marked by OCR.
• You may get an opportunity to re-sit exams if needed.

Internal Assessment (Coursework)
• Some units are assessed by coursework assignments.
• You will complete tasks such as:
– Written reports
– Case studies
– Practical projects (e.g. designing a care plan)
– Presentations
• Coursework is marked by your teachers and moderated by OCR to ensure fairness.
• Examples of coursework-assessed units:
– Person-Centred Approach to Care (F092)
– Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Social Care (F094)

Grading
• Each unit (exam or coursework) will be graded individually as:
– Distinction (highest)
– Merit
– Pass
– or Unclassified (if you do not meet the minimum requirements)
• Your final grade for the AAQ is based on the combined results across all units.
• The qualification earns UCAS points for university applications.

This qualification is ideal for students who aspire to work in roles such as:
• Nurses
• Social workers
• Paramedics
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational therapists
• Clinical psychologists
• Healthcare assistants
• Counsellors
It is also suitable for those aiming to progress to higher education in related fields, including nursing, social work, public health, and other allied health professions.

Course Details

Exam Board

Qualification

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Located in West Bromwich, Sandwell College boasts best in class facilities and exceptional teaching standards.
Alongside delivering outstanding pass rates, the College is proud to offer unrivalled mental health services and welfare support, ensuring that every student has access to the advice and guidance they need.

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