14 - 19 Childcare and Health & Social Care
Do you want to work with children, animals or within healthcare and social services? Would you like to study Child Development, Child Care, Health and Social Care or Animal Care?

Would you like the opportunity to gain practical experience in a range of work placements? Do you want to meet other people and get yourself a nationally recognised qualification?

If you can answer yes to all the above then these courses are designed for you.
Functional Skills in Maths, English and ICT are integrated into each course at an appropriate level.
Name
Description
Care and Childcare Diploma Level 1
This course is for anyone who wants to work with young children, people with disabilities and older people in a care environment. Students work towards Level 1 NOCN (National Diploma for Progression (Care and Childcare). Units include:
  • Personal development
  • Human growth and development
  • Food nutrition
  • Health and safety in care of children
  • Play and practical activities
  • Starting work in health and social care
  • Personal effectiveness
  • Team work
Assessment is by completing tasks throughout the year to produce portfolio work and there is the opportunity to develop skills in literacy and numeracy.
Name
Description
Children's Care, Learning and Development - National Certificate Level 3
This course combines work experience with college sessions which cover:
  • Human growth and development
  • Learning in the early years
  • Supporting literacy and numeracy
  • Child health
  • Special needs
  • Professional practice
Students spend one day a week on work experience, plus some block weeks in various childcare settings, working with children up to the age of eight years.

Entry requirements are a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C or above (including English) or GNVQ Intermediate (at least a Merit) and a Level 2 Skills for Life qualification. If you do not have these qualifications, an interview and references will determine your suitability for the course. For those planning to go on to teacher training, English, Maths or Science are required. All applicants need to demonstrate commitment and ability to the programme.
Name
Description
Health and Social Care - BTEC First Diploma
Students spend two days in placement and three days in College for this course which is made up of six units.

All students take the two core units:
  • Communications and individual rights
  • Individual needs within health/social care
Students choose four units from the following.

Values and communications in care
  • Physical care
  • Client support
  • The caring environment
  • Promoting activity
  • Vocational experience in health/social care settings
  • Cultural diversity
  • Impact of diet on health
  • Human lifespan development
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Creative activities
  • Health and social care services
Students will be expected to have related work experience, other related level 1 or 2 qualifications or four GCSEs at grade D or above before acceptance on this course.

Successful completion of this course can lead to work in registered care homes, community work and the voluntary sector or further study and a career in social work, housing and the probation service.
Name
Description
Health and Social Care Diploma - BTEC Level 3
This course helps prepare students for work with a range of clients and may include a work placement at a hospital, day care centre for people with disabilities, a school or with young offenders in a social work setting.

Units include:
  • Human growth and development
  • Equal opportunities and clients’ rights
  • Physical aspects of health
  • Health and social care early years service
  • Communicating in health and social care
The course also provides the opportunity to gain other relevant qualifications such as First Aid, Deaf Awareness or GCSE Maths or English.

Entry qualifications can be relevant care or childcare experience, four GCSEs at grade C or above, an intermediate award with a merit or above and NVQ2 in Care or, for those over the age of 18, an ability to demonstrate a commitment and capability to complete the course at interview. Successful completion of this course could lead to a career in nursing, social work, teaching or further training.