Intent
Health and Social care at ICC aims to ensure that each student has the opportunity to understand the wide range of opportunities within the field, as well as preparing students for future employment. The Health and Social Care course is a vocational qualification which takes an engaging, practical and inspiring approach to learning and assessment. The course equips students with a sound, specialist and realistic understanding of how to meet the needs of individuals using services and specialist equipment, whilst challenging stereotypes and discrimination. The study of care values is at the heart of Health and Social Care which develops skills such as empathy, compassion, commitment, tolerance and empowerment. This enables our students to become educated citizens and contributes to society in a positive way. The curriculum within Health and Social Care supports the ethos within the school as the subject is broad, balanced and relevant to the needs of students. The curriculum challenges students to develop skills such as communication and confidence.
Implementation
As a Key Stage 4 subject, we deliver the OCR Cambridge National in Health and Social Care. The qualification design, including the range of units available, allows learners the freedom to explore more deeply the things that interest them, as well as providing good opportunities to enhance their learning in a range of curriculum areas. In the KS4 foundation year, students develop a deep understanding of what it is to work in the health and social care sector, and they develop their communication skills through researching, designing and implementing their own health campaign. In years 10 and 11 students complete the mandatory units of the principles of care in health and social care settings, discovering the underpinning values of effective care, including legislation, safeguarding, service users rights, and they build upon their knowledge and experience of effective communication in the foundation year and apply all this to exam questions. Also, the students study; supporting individuals through life events, whereby students learn about life stages and the factors that affect them. They will understand expected and unexpected life events and the impact they will have on physical, social/emotional and socio-economic aspects in an individual’s life.
Health and social care lessons develop theoretical knowledge and apply them to real life scenarios. They are often practical and interactive, where possible. Students have the opportunity to take part in work experience to develop understanding in the field and apply this to their work.
Impact
The Health and Social Care curriculum has a positive impact on the outcomes of every student. It raises awareness of different needs and the range of services available. It promotes good health which will provide life-long benefits on themselves and their families. Students who study Health and Social Care will build confidence by achieving their potential academically, in life and the employment market. They will be accomplished in their ability/aptitude to demonstrate tolerance, respect, dignity, effective communication skills and application of anti-discriminatory practice.
