In Health and Social Care you will learn about a range of employment opportunities, which include important and rewarding professional roles such as: nursing, midwifery, social work, paramedics, radiography and physiotherapy, among many others. Health and Social Care is the study of how health and social care practitioners provide care in a variety of settings, and what the impact of that care might be for services users. You will study the communication methods used in care and how to work with a number of different groups of care users such as children, older people and people with various illnesses and disabilities. You will also develop knowledge and understanding of the rights and protection available to anyone accessing these services. This course is particularly relevant if you wish to enter, or have a strong interest in working with these service providers. You will study the course for two years gaining a qualification in the first year and the full Diploma (equivalent to two A Levels) in the second year. Alongside it, you can either study an A Level or chose another coursework-based subject.

As the course is part coursework, you will develop core research skills such as collecting information from various sources: books, internet, magazines, and journals and then presenting this material in a professional portfolio. You will also gain confidence in developing independent learning and communication skills that will be essential in any workplace or university setting through carrying out surveys, conducting a health promotion campaign and your own individual research project.

The Health and Social Care Diploma is suitable for you if you have an interest in the care industry generally, and would be appropriate for you in a range of careers including nursing, midwifery, social work and primary education. You will study a variety of different topics including how to communicate with service users and how to work with a diverse society and to promote equality. In addition, you will study a number of different client groups for instance, patients, older people or those with disabilities, dementia or other mental health issues. You will look at how health and social care practitioners provide care in a variety of settings, and what the impact of that care might be for services users.

Students have, in the past, also gone on to HR roles, Business and Administration as well as Psychology. It is the preferred alternative to Psychology A Level if you do not meet the entry requirements for a full A Level package.

This qualification can lead to both higher education and/or the work place.

The course is assessed by a mix of 5 exams (externally assessed) and seven coursework units (internally assessed) over the two years.

• Infection control
• Supporting people with mental health conditions
• Equality and diversity
• Anatomy and physiology
• Health and safety
• Creativity and activity in children and young people
• Safeguarding adults
• Psychology for Health and Social Care

If you are taking the Diploma in H&SC, you will be encouraged to complete some work experience outside of the college. As this will include working with children or vulnerable adults you may require a check from the Disclosure and Barring service (DBS) which will be paid for by the college. Other learning resources are available on our Google Classroom system.

These courses are delivered by experienced staff from a broad background of health and social care areas, Social Services, Psychology, Child Care and Biology. Students on the course are offered high quality work placement opportunities and many progress onto apprenticeships or University courses with the aim of pursuing careers in nursing, midwifery, radiography, occupational therapy, social services and paramedic science.

We arranged a number of trips this year which include attending a Forest School Day with the Hampshire and IOW Trust, students also visited the Florence Nightingale Museum in London and we were able to work in partnerships with Sovereign Housing to support with a group of elderly individuals.

Having high standards and expectations means that each individual in their care is guided to achieve to the best of their ability. A significant number of students go on to pursue a related career, ranging from nursing and midwifery to occupational and clinical psychology.