Health and Social Care: Principles and Contexts (Last Assessment 2023)
Level 3
Who are the qualifications for?
These qualifications will be knowledge-based and will be designed for post-16 learners who want to develop a breadth and depth of knowledge related to the Health and Social Care sector. They will be designed for delivery in further education colleges but may also be of interest to school sixth forms and other providers.
These qualifications will replace current A level and Level 3 qualifications in Health and Social Care. It will provide a sound basis for learners who want to progress to higher education or to the workplace. Learners are strongly recommended to complete the Level 2 Health and Social Care: Core qualification prior to, or alongside this qualification.
What will the qualifications cover?
The qualifications will cover the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills required by the Health and Social Care sectors, providing a broad basis for further and/or higher education or employment within the sectors.
The qualifications will include the principles and theories of human growth and development.
Topics in the first year are likely to include:
- factors that affect human growth and development
- common illnesses, diseases and disorders, and how they may be prevented and controlled
- provision of health and social care: adults, children's and young people's services
- promoting quality care and communication
- promoting good health.
During the second year learners will be able to broaden their study by choosing two topics from a number of optional units.
Topics likely to be included:
- engagement strategies to support individuals in a range of care settings
- understanding human behaviour – psychological theories
- understanding mental health and well-being
- promoting the rights of adults, children and young people
These qualifications will require an element of meaningful employer/sector engagement which could include a set work placement.
Qualification structure and assessment
These qualifications will be assessed through a combination of written assessments and non-examination assessments:
Certificate:
Internal: 2 non-examination assessments (NEA)
External: 1 external examination assessment
Diploma:
Internal: 4 non-examination assessments
External: 2 external examination assessments
What could the qualifications lead to?
Learners completing the Level 3 Health and Social Care: Principles and Contexts qualification alongside other Level 3 qualifications, including GCE, could progress to higher education courses in areas including:
- health
- social care
- early years
- speech and language therapy
- psychology
- midwifery
- occupational health
Learners who wish to progress to higher education may choose to take these qualifications alongside Advanced GCE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare thereby completing the equivalent of three A levels.
The qualifications could also lead to further education and training within the suite of Health and Social Care, and Childcare qualifications including:
- Level 3 Health and Social Care: Practice (Adults)
- Level 3 Health and Social Care: Practice (Children and Young People)
- Level 4 Health and Social Care with Specialism
Contact us
Karen Bushell
Subject Officer
HSCandCC@wjec.co.uk
029 2240 4264
Emma Vaughan
Subject Support Officer
HSCandCC@wjec.co.uk
029 2240 4264
Key Document
Mapping of Level 3 Health and Social Care: Principles and Contexts Certificate and Diploma
View document
We're currently developing a new Level 3 Extended Diploma qualification for teaching from September 2023. Find out more here.
Textbooks
Title |
Link |
WJEC AS Level Health and Social Care (also support Yr 1 Level 3 Principles and Contexts) |
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1860857299?ref=myi_title_dp |
WJEC A level Health and Social Care: Childcare Pathway Units 3 & 4 |
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1860857396?ref=myi_title_dp |
WJEC A level Health and Social Care: Adult Health and Social Care Pathway Units 5 & 6 |
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/186085737X?ref=myi_title_dp |
Head to our Training and Events page for the latest information on Professional Development events and learning opportunities for this qualification.
Webinar Recordings
| Event | Link |
| Level 3 HSC: Principles and Contexts (Recorded on June 3rd) | Click here to view |
| Webinar: Phase 3 Covid-19 Mitigations: Health and Social Care (September 2020) | Click here to view |
| Presentation PDF: Phase 3 Covid-19 Mitigations: Health and Social Care (September 2020) | Click here to view |
| Q&A: Phase 3 Covid-19 Mitigations: Health and Social Care (September 2020) | Click here to view |
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