Health & Social Care - Level 3 (September 2023 Start)

The Level 3 Health and Social Care course is a full-time qualification which, when completed to Extended Diploma level by the end of the second year, will give you all you need to further your career in Health and Social Care. Offering UCAS points equivalent to A level, it is a gateway to university degree courses such as midwifery and nursing, occupational therapy, paramedic science, social work, psychology and many more. Time in industry on work placement throughout the entire programme as well as lectures and practical workshops by industry professionals in college will provide you with relevant and useful skills, knowledge and confidence to prepare you for your next steps.

Placement is an amazing opportunity to gain life skills as well as relevant work experience and it is a chance to show your professional skills, knowledge, behaviours and attitude in an environment with high expectations and gain good work references. You will gain vital skills linking theory to practice and have experience that will be applicable to you career goal. All work placement is mandatory on this course.

After two years successful completion of the Health and Social Care programme and all mandatory placements you will be awarded: Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care.

On completion of the course, you will be able to go straight into work in entry level care positions or apprenticeships and many other public facing Level 3 roles in the sector. Nursing apprenticeships and Nurse Associate courses will then be open to you. You will be also be able to apply for university courses including degrees in Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedic Science, Social Work and many more. You will be able to apply for the Healthcare Practice Higher National Diploma, Social Work BSc or Childhood Studies BA here at Yeovil College.

You will gain knowledge, learn skills and develop confidence to enable you to think about the next stage of your career. You will learn about different professions, skills and attributes required and a range of support needs while working in Healthcare or Social Care. You will learn about the world of work and what it takes to make a positive difference to a person’s life whatever their age or circumstances. Units are broad and cover a whole range of skills and knowledge that will equip you to be successful in the Health and Social Care sector for example, Communication, Health and Safety, Human Development, Research, Anatomy and Physiology, Infection Control, Psychology, Sociology and Public Health.

As important skills English and Math's are fully embedded into this course

The Health and Social Care team consists of lecturers who are industry professionals as well as holding teaching qualifications. Among the team are Registered Social Workers, Registered Care Home Managers, Registered Midwives and Nurses and qualified Childcare and Early Years Professional Practitioners

College time will consist of tutorials with a dedicated tutor who will get to know you and support you throughout your college career. Class time will be a mixture of formal learning, self-directed and group study and practical work. Guest speakers and visitors add to the experience of learning in context as do use of the state of the art clinical skills suite, science labs and IT facilities. Assessment for Level 3 is mostly via written internally marked assignments, presentations and role play scenarios. Some work may be externally marked. Project work and research also forms part of the formal assessment. Successful completion of work placement is also required for the successful completion of this course.

Weekly tutorials with your tutor will enable you to get 1-1 support when required, consider personal development and reflect upon work experience. Your personal tutor will monitor your individual progress throughout the course. Tutorial also includes Social Action projects and enrichment opportunities.

Resource fee- use of the SPOT/ Learner support and printing credits. Polo shirt and sweatshirt which is part of your uniform if going on to a work experience. DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) if going on to a work experience. You will also need to provide your own resources for lectures.

Assessment for Level 3 is mostly via written assignments, presentations and practical role play scenarios. They are initially internally marked and verified before being externally verified. There are a number of rules laid down by the awarding body referring to submission processes which are strictly adhered to. Extensions may be given for extenuating circumstances.

To enrol on this course, you need to have Maths and English at GCSE Grade 5 in addition to 3 other GCSEs at Grade 4 or higher. Alternative qualifications such as the Level 2 Certificate at a Merit will also be considered along with English and Maths at Grade 5.

No prior definitive experience is necessary beyond the academic requirements. However, a willingness to work hard and a determination to show a professional attitude at all times is key in this course which, by its very nature, leads to contact with vulnerable individuals. Previous work experience or voluntary work in the sector would be a useful addition.

Apply by completing an online application form.