Advanced GCE and Advanced Subsidiary GCE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare

The qualification enables learners to develop and demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understanding within the context of health and social care, and childcare.

The following current issues are included in the specification:

• promoting health and well-being
• supporting health, well-being and resilience in Wales
• theoretical perspectives of children and young people's development
• supporting the development, health, well-being and resilience of children and young people
• theoretical perspectives of adult behaviour
• supporting adults to maintain health, well-being and resilience.

The GCE AS and A Level in Health and Social Care, and Childcare is suitable for post-16 learners who are interested in learning about the development and care of individuals throughout the life span from conception to later adulthood. Learners will follow a broad study of health and social care, and childcare at AS, and can then choose between two pathways at A2 to develop depth of knowledge and understanding in either childcare or adult health and social care.

The qualification provides a suitable progression route for learners who have studied Level 2 qualifications within the health and social care, and childcare suite including:

• GCSE Health and Social Care, and Childcare
• Level 2 Health and Social Care: Principles and Contexts
• Level 2 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory
• Level 2 Health and Social Care: Core, or
• Level 2 Children's Care, Play Learning and Development: Core.

GCE AS and A Level in Health and Social Care, and Childcare is also suitable for learners who have not previously studied Health and Social Care but who are capable of Level 3 study.

The GCE AS and A Level in Health and Social Care, and Childcare is divided into a total of six
units, two AS units (Unit 1 and Unit 2) and four A2 units (Units 3, 4 ,5 and 6). A level learners
study a total of four units: two AS units plus the two A2 units related to their chosen pathway.

The GCE AS and A Level in Health and Social Care, and Childcare is assessed through 50%
internal assessment and 50% external assessment. Candidates must successfully complete:

• externally set, internally marked assignments
• external examinations.

The qualification provides a suitable foundation for the study of health and social care through
a range of higher education courses, or into employment. Learners may also progress to other
qualifications within the health and social care and childcare suite.

In addition, the specification provides a coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study
for learners who do not progress to further study in this subject.

The GCE AS and A Level in Health and Social Care, and Childcare attracts the following UCAS
tariff points: