Health and Social Sciences

The suite provides a range of different subject that meet students interests and career aspirations to work within Health, Social and Community settings. The variety of courses are designed to support students who are interested in specific aspects of the sector.  

Students can start at a level relating to their prior achievement at school or previous college course. 

Level 1 Foundation programme, BTEC Vocational Programme 

• The Foundation to Health, Care and Sciences is a foundation to learning programme which aims to build up the soft and personable skills of our young people, as well a focus on academic skills including Math and English. 
• The course runs over three days a week (Math and English is included in this time) and students will participate in an array of projects, both academic and community based. Projects vary from working with children, adults and animals in sector settings, conservation and sustainability projects such as beach cleans working with Zoos and National Trust centres, to working with the community to deliver care packages to the homeless community in the Bury St Edmund's area.  
• The Foundation team are incredibly passionate about young people, their skills - both soft and academic, but also the well-being and mental health support that many of our young people so desperately need.  
• The philosophy of the Foundation Provision is to allow young people to be who they are, to build on their skills, and to achieve their goals. 

Level 2 Intermediate programme NCFE Health and Social Care  

• The Level 2 Intermediate programme NCFE Health and Social Care aims to develop foundation knowledge and understanding of the health and social care sector.  There is also a focus on developing academic skills, including Maths and English. 
• The course runs over three days a week (Maths and English is included in this time) and students will participate in a range of various projects, to assess their knowledge and understanding of relevant subjects applicable in the health and social care sector. 
• Assignments vary to include learning about various communication strategies, understanding what it involves working in the health and social care sector, developing awareness about equality and diversity and the importance of nutrition. 
• The philosophy of the level 2 provision is to allow students to build on their skills, to achieve their goals and to progress to either gain employment in the health and social care sector, an apprenticeship, or to move to study at level 3 within the department. 

Level 2 Intermediate programme OCR Health Science 

• The Level 2 Intermediate programme OCR Health Science aims to develop foundation knowledge and understanding of the health and Science.  There is also a focus on developing academic skills, including Maths and English. 
• The course runs over three days a week (Maths and English is included in this time) and students will participate in a range of various projects, to assess their knowledge and understanding of relevant subjects applicable in the health and Science 
• Assignments vary to include learning about various Core science and health science subjects, including Radiology, Nutrition, Human Behaviour and Earth Science.  
• The philosophy of the level 2 provision is to allow students to build on their skills, to achieve their goals and to progress to either, an apprenticeship, or to move to study at level 3 within the department: including the new T level qualifications.  

T Level in Healthcare Science

• The Healthcare Science is a prestigious and rigorous vocational academic qualification, the equivalent to studying 3 A-Levels, which provides learners with the opportunity to develop knowledge, understanding and real-life skills surrounding the Health Science Industry. 
• During the 2-year programme, students will develop the core knowledge and skills that are needed for entry to a range of healthcare occupations involving the study of Health Sciences with core elements and occupational specialisms that make this a good mixture of practical and theoretical skills development. Learners will be assessed through a variety of methods; these involve both internal and external assessments which will allow learners to develop their vocational and study skills. 
• Additionally, there is an Industry Placement with an external employer to enable students to transfer their learning into real working environments. Students will also complete employer set projects that further develop workplace skills in order to prepare for vocationally based future educational programmes and work readiness. This is supported by some of the region's largest healthcare science employers. 
• Learners will be supported with their progression towards higher education and future employment based within the health science sector. They will be given the opportunity to gain valuable work-related experience to give them engagement, insight, and connections to their future career within the industry. 

Level 3 Advanced programme Health and Social Care 

• The Health and Social Care course is a substantial academic and vocational qualification, the equivalent to studying 3 A-Levels, which provides learners with the opportunity to develop knowledge, understanding and real-life skills surrounding our Health and Social care Sector.  
• It is a two-year programme involving modules such as Safe practice, Nutrition, Psychology, Lifespan development, Anatomy and Physiology and Public Health. Learners will be assessed through a variety of methods; these involve both internal and external assessments which will allow learners to develop their vocational and study skills. 
• Additionally, there is a specialised work placement for students that enable them to complete work set projects that develop work place skills in order to prepare for vocationally based future educational programmes. This is supported by many regional health and social care providers, including care, health, and social environments as well as specialist schools.  
• Learners will be supported with their progression towards higher education and future employment based within the health and social care sectors. They will be given the opportunity to gain valuable work-related training and support to develop professional practices. 

Level 3 Advanced programme Working in the Healthcare Sector  

• The Health and Social Care course is an imaginative and engaging qualification, the equivalent to studying 2 A-Levels, which provides learners with the opportunity to develop knowledge, understanding and real-life skills surrounding our Health and Social Sector. The course focuses on allowing students to gain a first-hand experience to the healthcare sector through a variety of placements.
• It is a two-year programme involving units such as working in health and social care, safe food preparation, Anatomy and Physiology for emergency medicine, principles of sociology and more that make this a good mixture of practical and theoretical skills development. Learners will be assessed through a variety of methods; these involve both internal and external assessments which will allow learners to develop their vocational and study skills.
• Additionally, there is a specialised work placement for students that enable them to complete work set projects and work placements in a variety of settings in order to prepare for employment with training or university. This is supported by some of the region's largest healthcare employers such as West Suffolk Hospital and East of England's Ambulance Service and many more.
• Learners will be supported with their progression towards career goals, and they will be given the opportunity to gain valuable work-related experience to give them the insight and connections with working within the industry. 

Level 3 Advanced programme Psychology and social sciences 

• The Psychology and Social Sciences course is a rigorous vocational academic qualification, the equivalent to studying 3 A-Levels, which provides learners with the opportunity to develop knowledge, understanding surrounding a wide number of public sector roles, including health and security sectors. 
• This is a two-year programme involving the study of Applied Psychology, Criminology and Health and Social Care. This provides students with a mixture of learning that supports varied interests within the Applied Social Sciences. There is a balance of external exam and course work for assessment within the programme. 
• The programme is designed to support students to prepare for further study towards career interests, including educational psychology, protective services, crime and reform services, psychology, and counselling. 
• Learners will be supported with their progression towards higher education and future employment based within the health and security sectors. They will be given the opportunity to gain valuable work-related experience to give them the insight and connections with working within the industry. 

The study programme for all students includes the main qualification, relevant work experience and or placement as well as personal and professional development through academic skill development to include Math and English for student who working towards grade 4. Additionally, different courses have their own additional programmes.  

What can I do next?

These programmes are designed to support your progression, there are such a wide range of vocations that are available to students progressing from this area.
Upon complete of the level 3 Courses students go onto several pathways including University, Advanced Apprenticeships, and sector specific employment. A wide range of career interests are available for students including radiology, Ambulance technician, nursing, counselling, supporting care, physiotherapy, and protective services.

Industry statistics

The regional and national growth in the Health and Social Sciences Employment Sector:

• This sector has 13% of the regional total employment and is growing by 2% year on year. Enrichment for students has included the opportunity to take visits as well as gain additional qualifications.

How Wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment to improve the world - Anne Frank