Health Studies

Course summary

This is a double-option course suitable for anyone interested in the Health and Social Care sector. It also supports those interested in Early Years. Unit 1: Human Lifespan Development (exam in January). Health and Social Care practitioners need to develop a knowledge base for working with people in every stage of their lives, and they need to know how their own experiences relate to health and wellbeing. Although it is generally accepted that there may be deterioration in health with age following adulthood, medical intervention means people are living longer and have better life prospects. Unit 2: Working in Health and Social Care (exam in May). When working for an organization in this sector, you will have important responsibilities that you need to understand and carry out. These include maintaining the safety of and safeguarding individuals with health and social care needs, making sure that you properly handle their personal information and preventing discrimination towards them. You will need to understand how you will be accountable both to these individuals and the regulatory bodies that represent people who work in the Health and Social Care sector. It is also necessary for you to understand how your work will be monitored when you carry out a specific role such as Nurse or Social Worker. Unit 5: Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs (coursework). You will focus on the principles and practicalities that underpin meeting individuals’ care and support needs, which are the foundation of all the care disciplines. Unit 12: Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs (coursework). You will explore the role of Health and Social Care services in providing care and support to individuals with additional needs. YEAR 13 COURSE CONTENT Unit 4: Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care (Exam in January). There are many reasons why research is carried out into contemporary Health and Social Care issues, for example, to explore the effect of diet on health and wellbeing or the provision and impact of addiction centers in the local community. As a Health and Social Care professional you will need to understand the purpose of research, how it is carried out and the importance of research for improving the wellbeing of those using Health and Social Care services. Unit 7: Principles of Safe Practice in Health and Social Care (coursework). This unit will develop your knowledge and understanding of the key principles relating to safeguarding vulnerable individuals, promoting health and safety and responding to different situations and emergency incidents in Health and Social Care settings. Unit 8: Promoting Public Health (coursework). Public health is concerned with protecting and improving the health of the population. Practitioners working in the Health and Social Care sectors need to be aware of the implications of public health policy for services and those who use services. They need to consider the reasons for improving the health of individuals and the general public. Unit: 19 Nutritional Health (coursework). Good nutrition is important for health and well-being. For example, people in hospitals depend on getting the right food to help recovery. Also more people are at risk of obesity and illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes. As a worker in the Health and Social Care sector, you need to understand what good nutrition is and the factors that can influence nutritional health, including lifestyle choices and eating habits. You also need to think about how health can be supported by making good nutritional choices. Learners explore concepts of nutritional health and influences on dietary intake and learn how to assess and improve health through nutrition plans for individuals.