Free Level 3 BTEC National in Health and Social Care Course in Lancashire. Classes run at Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy. This two-year, full-time daytime course combines coursework, exams, and practical work experience. You'll study caring for individuals, mental health awareness, anatomy, and interpersonal skills across health, social care, and early years settings. The Pearson Edexcel BTEC National in Health and Social Care is equivalent to one A Level, making it a recognised route into higher education or employment in the sector.
Who this course is for
The Health & Social Care AAQ is a Level 3 qualification equivalent to one A Level, designed to prepare students for careers in health, social care, early years, and community justice. It combines theoretical study through coursework and
exams with practical work experience to develop skills like caring for individuals, mental health awareness, anatomy, and interpersonal skills.
Entry requirements
Sixth Form Entry Requirement
What you will learn
You'll develop knowledge of how to care for individuals across health and social care settings.
You'll study mental health awareness and how it applies to real support roles.
You'll learn anatomy and physiology relevant to health and social care practice.
You'll build interpersonal and communication skills for working with people in care environments.
You'll explore early years care and child development principles.
You'll complete practical work experience to apply your learning in a real setting.
You'll develop understanding of community justice and its links to social care.
How you will learn
You'll learn through a mix of classroom-based lessons, coursework assignments, and written exams. Practical work experience is built into the course, giving you hands-on time in a relevant setting. Assessment combines internally marked coursework with externally set and marked exams, following the Pearson Edexcel BTEC National framework.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Care assistant: support adults or older people in care homes or at home.
Healthcare support worker: assist clinical staff in NHS or private settings.
Early years practitioner: work with young children in nurseries or schools.
Mental health support worker: provide day-to-day support to people with mental health needs.
Social care worker: help individuals live independently in the community.
Community support worker: work with vulnerable adults in outreach or residential settings.
What you could study next
Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care: a larger qualification if you want to go deeper before applying to university.
Foundation Degree or BSc in Health and Social Care: the natural next step into higher education, which the BTEC National is designed to support entry to.
Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (NVQ-style): if you move into employment and want a work-based qualification alongside your role.
