Free Level 3 Health and Social Care Course in Cheltenham. Classes run at Cleeve School. You'll need a grade 4 in GCSE English or Maths to join, and the course runs full-time over 22 months. Across the two years, you'll study human development, working in health and social care, meeting individual needs, and promoting public health. You'll also complete a minimum of 100 hours of work experience in a health or social care setting.
Who this course is for
During Year 12 you will study a range of units covering a wide range of themes expected in a Health & Social Care course, such as Human Development, Working in Heath & Social Care, Meeting Individual Needs and Promoting Public Health. You will be required to complete a minimum of 100 hours of work experience in a health & social care setting; your teacher may ask for your help in finding an appropriate setting. The knowledge and understanding you have acquired from your work experience placement will be used to complete a specific unit of work and to generally support the depth of your understanding across other units. There are a wide range of units to choose from and the exact units studied depends upon both the expertise of the teachers involved and the interests of the students in our groups. We always cover a range of units so that all students gain a broad understanding, but will always try to include specific units such as those with a strong biological content for those students intending to study Nursing at University. Possible optional units include: Nutritional Health, Understanding Mental Wellbeing, Complementary Therapies, Health Psychology and Biomedical Science.
Entry requirements
Students should have met the Sixth Form entry criteria and also have Grade 4 in GCSE English or Maths. If Health and Social Care has been studied at KS4 then students should have achieved a minimum of a Level 2 Pass or grade 4 in English GCSE if not studied.
What you will learn
You'll explore human development across the life stages and what it means for care practice.
You'll study what it means to work professionally in health and social care settings.
You'll learn how to assess and meet the individual needs of people using care services.
You'll examine public health priorities and how they are promoted in communities.
You'll gain practical experience through at least 100 hours of work placement in a health or social care setting.
You'll develop your understanding of safeguarding, communication, and person-centred approaches.
How you will learn
The Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma uses a mix of coursework, assignments, and externally assessed units. You'll be assessed through written tasks, case studies, and evidence gathered from your work experience placement. Some units are internally assessed by your teachers; others are set and marked by OCR. Classroom sessions at Cleeve School support your learning throughout.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Cleeve School will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Care assistant: support adults or older people in residential or home care.
Healthcare support worker: assist clinical staff in NHS or private settings.
Mental health support worker: work alongside people with mental health needs.
Learning disability support worker: provide day-to-day support in community settings.
Early years practitioner: work with young children in nursery or care settings.
Social care administrator: coordinate care plans and records in a care organisation.
What you could study next
Foundation Degree or BSc in Health and Social Care: the Extended Diploma is accepted by many universities as a route into degree-level study in nursing, social work, or health sciences.
T Level in Health: a technical qualification for those wanting a more structured vocational route into the NHS or care sector.
CIPD Level 3 HR qualification: if you move toward a support or administrative role within a care organisation.
Nursing Associate or Nursing Degree Apprenticeship: for those aiming toward registered nursing.
