About the course
This course provides an introduction to work in the Healthcare sector, providing a valuable foundation for progression into higher level courses or employment. This course qualifies you to work as an assistant in health and social care settings. A compulsory part of the course is work placement and you will need to complete in the region of 75 hours to pass the course. Work placement is organised by the work placement team. It is a full time course. You attend college three days per week, and one day are out in placement. You will get the opportunity to work in a variety of social care settings.
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Entry requirements
The minimum requirement is 4 GCSEs at grade D (Grade 3) or equivalent to include maths and English.
In addition all students must:
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Have an interview with a member of the course team
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Have a clear DBS check
Qualifications
This course will give you a BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care.
What you'll learn (core modules)
The aim is to give you a good understanding of the healthcare sector; the values, skills and knowledge that are essential for work in this field. You will study four core units and a further six units:
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Healthy Living - externally assessed
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Lifespan development - externally assessed
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Communication skills
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Care Values in Health and Social Care
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Working in the Health & Social Care sector
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Nutrition
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Human Body Systems
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Individual Rights
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Equality and Diversity
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Therapeutic Activities for adults in Health and Social Care
In addition, any students aged 16 to 19 who does not have a GCSE A* to C (Grade 9 to 4) in Maths and English will need to continue studying these subjects alongside their studies.
Benefits, skills and character strengths
This course will prepare you for employment in the Health & Care sector. Upon successful completion of level 2, students either go into employment as Healthcare Assistants, continue a level 3 qualification as an apprentice in the workplace or, with a strong grade profile, they may progress onto the full time level 3 full time course at the college.
This course will give you the confidence and resilience needed to be successful in healthcare.
How will I be assessed?
Two of the units are assessed by online external exams. The other units are internally assessed in a variety of ways - course work, assignments, presentations and a visit in placement.
Where is the course delivered? (facilities/classrooms)
West Suffolk College. Your placement is organised by the college but students are given the opportunity to make choices about where they would like to go to placement.
Where will the course take me?
Distinction and high merit students can apply to progress onto the full time level 3 health and social care course at college. They will be interviewed for this course and would need to have successfully completed at least GCSE English to grade 4 or above to be considered.
Upon completion of the course, you are able to be employed as a level 2 assistant in the industry and may decide to continue your level 3 studies via an apprenticeship.
Will I need any materials or equipment?
Students will need to purchase two placement T-shirts, available from the college shop at a cost of around £13 each.
Furthermore, students will need to have their own college stationery for classes - paper, pens, a folder etc.
How much will it cost?
Students will need to purchase two placement T-shirts, available from the college shop at a cost of around £13 each.
Furthermore, students will need to have their own college stationery for classes - paper, pens, a folder etc.I'm interested. What should I do now?
If you are interested, do come along to one of the college open events which is a great opportunity to meet the course tutors, ask more questions about the course and meet current students. If you would like to apply, this can be done via the college website.
Days & times
Starting September 2023