Level 3 AAQ Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care

Health and social care AAQ is equivalent to 1 A-Level and is completed over 360 guided learning hours and is awarded by the completion of 2 exams and 4 coursework units.

Who this qualification is for

The Cambridge OCR Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification Cambridge Advanced National in Health and Social Care (Extended Certificate) is for students aged 16-19 years old. It will develop knowledge, understanding and skills that will help prepare you for progression to undergraduate study and are relevant to the health and social sector. You might be interested in this qualification if you want to apply what you learn to practical, real-life contexts

The qualification will also help you develop independence and confidence in using skills that are relevant to the sector and that prepare you for progressing to university courses where independent study skills are needed. You will develop the following transferable skills that can be used in both higher education and other life and work situations. This qualification will complement other learning that you're completing at Key Stage 5. If you are a full-time student, it will be part of your studies along with A Levels and/or other Level 3 qualifications.

What you will study when you take this qualification

Through a combination of theoretical study and hands-on experience, you will develop the necessary knowledge and skills that can support progression to higher education health or social care study. In the examined units, you will study key knowledge and understanding relevant to health and social care. In the non examined assessment (NEA) units, you will demonstrate knowledge and skills you learn by completing applied or practical assignments. More information about the knowledge and skills you will develop is below. The qualification has four mandatory units and two optional units. These are the mandatory units – you must take all these units:

F090: Principles of health and social care

This unit is assessed by an exam. In this unit you will learn about the key topics that are important to develop underpinning knowledge and understanding relevant to health and social care.

F091: Anatomy and physiology for health and social care This unit is assessed by an exam. In this unit you will learn about the arrangement of body systems and the structure and function of the component parts. You will learn about key processes within each body system, that enable them to function properly. You will then explore conditions affecting these systems, specifically learning about the biological basis, monitoring, treatment and impact on lifestyle and independence.

F092: Person-centred approach to care

This unit is assessed by an assignment. In this unit you will learn the principles and values that underpin a person-centred approach to care and the practical tools that can be used to develop care plans for individuals. You will explore how to communicate in health and social care, how to build relationships and the barriers that need to be overcome to achieve person-centred care. You will learn to write outline care plans to suit individuals, using person-centred approaches and develop your reflective practice skills.

F093: Supporting people with mental health conditions

This unit is assessed by an assignment. In this unit you will learn about how individuals with mental health conditions can be cared for and supported in a way which is suitable for their needs. You will do this through exploring the meaning of mental health and mental health needs and considering the main types of mental health conditions and how these may affect the life of individuals. You will explore the different ways that individuals may be supported to promote their mental wellbeing, manage their condition, and different forms of treatment and support that may be available.

Optional Units- 2 must be selected from the list below.

F094: Supporting people with long term physiological conditions

F095: Investigating public health

F096: Supporting people in relation to sexual health, pregnancy and postnatal health

F097: Supporting healthy nutrition and lifestyles

The types of courses you may progress to

Both the subject-specific knowledge, understanding and skills, and broader transferable skills developed through these units, will help you progress to further study in related areas such as:

BSc Nursing (Adult/Child/Learning disabilities/Mental health), BSc Midwifery, BSc Health and social care, BSc Healthcare and Health Science, BSc Health Sciences, BSc Paramedic Science, BSc Public Health and Wellbeing, BA Social Work

There are also a lot of apprenticeships within the NHS and other organisations which allow a direct line into the industry.

Health and social courses offer entry into a range of different careers including Social worker, Nursery Nurse, Medical Secretary, Nurse, Midwife, Care Assistant, Primary School Teacher or Assistant, Charity Workers, Mental Health Carers and Counsellors.