Health and Social Care BTEC Extended Diploma - Level 3

This course is for those who want a career in social care or to take a degree in social work, sociology, psychology, social sciences, social policy, nursing or other care-related courses. We emphasise real-world experience for you through a work placement, so you will be working two days a week in a setting like a children's nursery or a care home. Completing your work placement is an essential part of your assessment and is well regarded by universities and employers so should give you the edge in your next steps.

As you will be working with vulnerable groups, you will need to have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly CRB) before your course. You will have the chance to hear from professionals - like midwives and nurses - who are already working successfully in this area. They'll talk to you about their career path, the sorts of skills and behaviours you should demonstrate and what opportunities there are for people prepared to work. We will also take you on field trips to relevant exhibitions and events, such as Nursery World at Olympia. We're also growing our work in competitions, including WorldSkills where our students produced care plans and did key health checks. Competitions are a great way show you new ideas and stimulate your enthusiasm.

Achieve a 90-credit diploma in your first year of study then top up to 180 credits on the extended diploma in the second year. The extended diploma gives you much more detail on the subject - it's the same as three A-levels and is a great route into university. If you already have 90 credits from another college, you can choose to top up to the extended diploma with just one year of study.

The course covers: Communication and supportive skills for care work; Research for care; Sociology; Psychology; Health promotion; Practical caring skills; Health and safety; Life span development; Issues for people who use care; Anatomy and physiology. Assessment includes: An external assessment and internally assessed assignments with practical and theoretical activities focusing on real work situations. You will be assessed on your practical skills during your work placement.

After completion of this course, you will move on to other health and social care courses at South Thames College. From the 90-credit diploma, move up to the extended diploma. From the extended diploma, progress to higher education, for example our HNC in Health and Social Care, or a degree at university, or look for work in a social care organisation.