GCSE Health and Social Care, and Childcare (Single and Double Award)

Reformed GCSE in Health and Social Care and Childcare approved by Qualifications Wales

City & Guilds/WJEC are pleased to announce that our reformed GCSE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare has been approved by Qualifications Wales. This is the first qualification from the new suite of reformed Health and Social Care, and Childcare qualifications to be approved by Qualifications Wales. Commenting is Sarah Harris, Assistant Director Vocational Qualifications at WJEC:

"We are delighted that our GCSE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare has been approved. We have worked closely with leading care experts including Social Care Wales and the NHS Health Education Improvement Wales (HEIW) to ensure that our qualifications are fit-for-purpose and offer academic progression and employment opportunities. Our team is looking forward to supporting centres as they prepare to deliver this exciting new qualification."

GCSE in Health and Social Care and Childcare

Our reformed GCSE will equip learners with the knowledge, understanding and skills related to the development and care of individuals throughout the life-cycle from conception to later adulthood. Learners have the opportunity to develop their understanding of influences on human growth, development, behaviour and well-being. They will also gain an understanding of the social, physical, emotional, and cultural needs of people who use care and support services, and recognise that each individual has a unique blend of abilities and needs.

Learners will gain an understanding of how service provision in Wales supports the development and well-being of individuals, to be able to make informed decisions now and in later life. 

This specification has been designed to include contemporary issues in relation to the provision of an ethical and sustainable health and social care, and childcare system in Wales, and to create independent learners that can make informed decisions about further learning opportunities or continuing into related career choices.

The approved specification and sample assessment materials are available to download from our website.

19 new qualifications

Our GCSE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare is one of 19 new fundable qualifications spanning Levels one to five of the Regulated Qualifications Framework, and covering key aspects of health and social care, and childcare. These new qualifications will start to become available from September 2019, with the full suite becoming available from September 2020. They form part of Qualifications Wales' ambition to streamline qualification provision and push up standards within the sector.

Support

To support the delivery of our reformed qualifications we will be offering free bilingual digital resources and face-to-face training opportunities across Wales. To be kept up to date with our qualification development, resources updates and training opportunities sign up to our preference centre
 

For further information:

Email: info@hclw.wales

The qualifications will equip learners with knowledge and understanding of the development and care of individuals from conception to old age.

Learners will gain an understanding of how service provision in the Health and Social Care, and Childcare sectors in Wales support the development and well-being of individuals.

Learners will also be introduced to a broad range of roles within the Health and Social Care, and Childcare sectors which will help them to develop an understanding of the career pathways available to them.

The GCSE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare (Single Award) will cover key topics such as:

• human growth, development and well-being
• promoting and maintaining health and well-being

The GCSE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare (Double Award) will cover additional topics such as:

• health, social care and childcare in the 21st Century
• promoting and supporting health and well-being to achieve positive outcomes

The GCSE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare (Single Award) will be made up of two mandatory units.

The GCSE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare (Double Award) will be made up of four mandatory units.

The qualifications are both externally and internally assessed.

Learners completing the GCSE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare could study other
qualifications within the suite, including:

• Level 2 Health and Social Care: Core
• Level 3 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice and Theory
• Level 3 Children's Care, Play, Learning and Development: Practice
• Level 3 Advanced GCE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare
• Level 3 Certificate and Diploma in Health and Social Care: Principles and Contexts
• Level 3 Health and Social Care: Practice (Adults)
• Level 3 Health and Social Care: Practice (Children and Young People).

They may also be interested in progressing to further study and/or training in related areas including: Sociology, Psychology and Medical Science.