Health and Social Care Practice

 

About the Course

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1: Why choose a BTEC Higher National qualification? 

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BTEC is globally recognised for its applied learning approach, engaging students in practical, interpersonal, and cognitive skills for over thirty years. These qualifications are tailored for individuals starting their careers or those already employed seeking advancement opportunities. BTECs facilitate progression into the workforce, either directly or through further university study, and are designed to align with employer needs. They are highly regarded by both industry and higher education institutions as leading career-focused qualifications at Levels 4 and 5. 

 

In developing BTEC Higher National qualifications, Pearson collaborates with a diverse group of students, employers, higher education providers, colleges, and subject matter experts to ensure the qualifications meet their needs and expectations. Pearson also engages with professional bodies to ensure alignment with recognised standards. The Pearson BTEC Higher National qualifications address the growing demand for high-quality professional and technical education at undergraduate Levels 4 and 5. They offer students a clear pathway to employment and the option to pursue a degree at Level 6. 

 

As the awarding body, Pearson has approved The City College to offer a variety of Higher National qualifications. The College’s management and lecturing team is responsible for ensuring that the quality of the provision meets Pearson’s exacting conditions and standards. Quality is monitored regularly through visits from Pearson’s External Examiners and a regular Pearson Annual Management Review. 

 

In addition, once you become a student, the BTEC HN Global website provides a specially designed range of digital resources to give you the best possible experience during the BTEC Higher Nationals course. (Please find the link in the section Useful Links below) 

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2. Why Choose a Higher National Qualification in Health and Social Care? 

 

Health and safety in health, social care, and community sectors is both a regulatory responsibility and a matter of ethical practice. It is crucial that everyone working in these sectors, including those in education and training, are aware of the legislation, regulation, and practices that ensure the safety of both workers and service users. 

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Pearson integrates health and safety throughout its qualifications to ensure students understand these matters as integral to typical health, social care, and community practices, rather than standalone activities. Many units within the qualification include curriculum related to health and safety and statutory requirements. Essential content is taught in sufficient depth to ensure students grasp the importance of these topics. Assessment criteria often require students to provide evidence of aspects of health and safety, risk assessment, legislation, or regulation. 

 

Pearson has taken the approach that health and safety be integrated throughout the qualification where appropriate. This ensures that students do not see health and safety matters as separate or ‘standalone’ activities. Rather, health and safety should be understood as a standard feature of typical health, social care, and community practices. Many units within this qualification include curriculum related to health and safety and statutory requirements. Where such topics are included in Essential Content, it is required that they are taught in sufficient depth to ensure students understand their importance. Where there are assessment criteria that call specifically for students to evidence aspects of health and safety, risk assessment, legislation, or regulation, it is required that this be designed in the assessment. 

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The Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Health and Social Care Practice requires at least 225 hours of work experience or placement in healthcare, social care, or community work settings. Through the practice unit, learners complete a portfolio of practice learning and development. 

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The Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Health and Social Care Practice requires a minimum of 450 hours of work experience across the programme. This total includes the 225 hours completed in Year 1. Learners also complete a portfolio of practice learning and development through the designated practice unit. 

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Pearson BTEC Higher National qualifications in Health and Social Care Practice offer the following benefits: 

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• Stimulating Study Programme: An exciting and informative programme that challenges students. 

• Flexible Structure: A simple structure that allows students to progress from the Higher National Certificate to the Higher National Diploma, with optional units linked to their specialist area of study. 

• Specialist Routes: Opportunities to follow specialist routes at Level 5, gaining knowledge and skills for higher education or employment. 

• Core Competencies: Development of core competencies throughout the curriculum to support lifelong learning and professional development. 

• Dynamic Assessments: Assessments that consider cognitive skills (what students know) and applied skills (how they behave and what they can do), supporting a practical approach to learning. 

• Analytical Learning: Unit-specific assessments and Pearson-set themes designed to encourage thorough learning, critical thinking, personal responsibility, and decision-making. 

• Flexible Assessment: A flexible approach to assessment that supports progression to higher education or work and accommodates different learning styles. 

• Quality Assurance: Measures that assure professional organisations, universities, businesses, colleges, and students of the integrity and value of the qualifications. 

• Skills Gap Programme: A programme designed to meet current workforce skills gaps and build talent for future needs in an international environment. 

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Objectives of the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Health & Social Care 

 

The objectives of these qualifications are: 

• To develop the skills, knowledge, and understanding that students need to achieve high performance in health, social care, and community environments. 

• To cultivate students with enquiring minds, who possess the abilities and confidence to work across different health, social care, and community functions, and to lead, manage, respond to change, and tackle a range of complex situations. 

• To provide the core skills required for a range of careers in health, social care, and community work, including supportive and assistive roles. 

• To offer a balance between employability skills and the essential knowledge for students with entrepreneurial, employment, or academic ambitions. 

• To enhance students' understanding of the significant impact that technologies have on health, social care, and community environments. 

• To provide insight into the global opportunities and challenges in health, social care, and community sectors. 

• To equip students with knowledge and understanding of culturally diverse organisations, cross-cultural issues, and diversity. ​

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Key Information 

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Starting Dates                     January / April / September 

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Mode of Study                     Full-time  

 

Duration                              HND – Two years 

Awarding Body                   Pearson 

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Award                                  BTEC Level 4 HNC Higher National Certificate in Health and Social Care Practice 

Award                                  BTEC Level 4 HNC Higher National Diploma in Health and Social Care Practice 

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Price                                    Full-Time (On-site Learning) £6,355/year 

Price                                    Full-Time Distance Learning (Off-site Learning) £6,355 

                                           

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* STUDENT LOAN AVAILABLE *

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3: Aims of the Level 4 and 5 Higher Nationals in Health and Social Care Practice  

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Aims of the Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Health and Social Care Practice 

 

The Level 4 units lay the foundations of learning by providing a broad introduction to health, social care, and community practice. This approach develops and strengthens core skills while preparing students for specialist subjects at Level 5 or for employment in roles that require personal responsibility. 

 

Students will gain a wide range of knowledge in health, social care, and community practice, linked to practical skills acquired through practice, research, independent study, directed study, and workplace scenarios. They will engage in vocational activities that help them develop vocational behaviours (the attitudes and approaches required for competence) and transferable skills. These transferable skills (such as communication, teamwork, research, and analysis) are highly valued in higher education and the workplace. 

 

By the end of Level 4, students will have a solid understanding of the concepts of health, social care, and community practice. Upon passing, they will be competent in a range of subject-specific skills as well as general skills and qualities relevant to key areas of health, social care, and community practice. 

 

Aims of the Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Health and Social Care Practice 

 

The Level 5 units provide students with further opportunities to specialise in health, social care, and community practice-related occupational areas and to progress to degree-level study. These units prepare students to move on to specific areas of health, social care, and community practice at Level 6, to progress to pre-registration education programmes, or to enter employment with the qualities and abilities necessary for roles that require personal responsibility and decision-making. 

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Students will be able to develop and apply their own ideas to their studies, deal with uncertainty and complexity, explore solutions, demonstrate critical evaluation, and use both theory and practice in a wide range of health, social care, and community practice situations. 

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By the end of Level 5, students will have a sound understanding of the principles in their area of study related to assistive and supportive roles and will know how to apply those principles more widely in the health, social care, and community practice sectors globally. They will be able to perform effectively in their areas of practice. 

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Developing Employability and Academic Skills 

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BTEC Higher Nationals in Health and Social Care Practice focus on developing employability skills and academic study skills essential for career prospects and personal development. These qualifications help students gain practical skills, problem-solving abilities, independence, interpersonal skills, and leadership qualities. Additionally, students benefit from deeper learning opportunities, allowing them to connect different study units and focus on areas of interest, thereby enhancing their research, writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills. 

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4: What employment and further study opportunities could these qualifications lead to? 

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The Level 4 Higher National Certificate provides a solid foundation in health, social care, and community practice, which students can build upon if they choose to continue their studies. The Level 5 Higher National Diploma allows students to specialise further, committing to specific career paths and progression routes to degree-level study. 

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Upon achieving the Level 5 Higher National Diploma, students can develop their careers in the health, social care, and community practice sectors by: 

• Entering employment or continuing in their current roles. 

• Becoming members of appropriate professional bodies or membership organisations. 

• Obtaining accredited certificates (if available). 

• Committing to continuing professional development (CPD). 

• Progressing to university. 

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The Level 5 Higher National Diploma is recognised by higher education providers as meeting admission requirements for many relevant undergraduate courses, such as: 

• Pre-registration nursing, occupational therapy, therapeutic radiography, and other allied health professional BSc (Hons) programmes. 

• Healthcare science BSc (Hons) programmes. 

• Pre-registration social work BA (Hons) programmes. 

• Social care and social change BA (Hons) programmes. 

• Community development BA (Hons) programmes. 

• Health and social care BSc (Hons) programmes, leading to pre-registration master’s programmes. 

 

Students should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes at specific Higher Education providers where they wish to gain admission and ‘top-up’ their HND. 

 

Degree Finder 

 

Pearson's Degree Finder (DF) tool has been created for students studying a Pearson BTEC Higher National qualification who are looking for progression options to university.  

 

You can use the DF before, during, or after completing your Pearson course to help you plan your next steps. It is recommended that you read through the user guidance before searching. Look for a direct pathway by entering the specific Higher National subject, including the level and pathway, to find out where your qualification can take you. (Please find the link in the section Useful Links below) 

 

5: Programme structure 

 

The regular timescale for achieving a Level 5 HND by full-time study is two-years. Progression to Year 2 of the programme is dependent on satisfactory completion of Year 1. 

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The year-one Level 4 HNC: 

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• Requires successful completion of 7 units ​

• Mixes 4 core and 3 optional units (selected by the College), each with a value of 15 credits, except Unit 401: Developing Professional Practice, which is 30 credits (120 total) ​

• Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 1200 hours ​

• Total Guided Learning Hours (GLH) is 480 hours ​

• The total independent learning hours for Higher National Certificate (HNC) is 720 hours 

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Follows the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Health and Social Care Practice pathway 

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The year-two Level 5 HND: 

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• Requires successful completion of a further 6 units (therefore 13 in total) 

• Mixes 3 core, and 3 optional units (selected by the College), each with a value of 15 credits, except the Unit 501: Establishing Professional Practice and Unit 503: Innovation and Improvement through Participatory Action

• Research (Pearson-set), which are 30 credits (240 total minimum) 

• Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 2400 hours 

• Total Guided Learning Hours (GLH) is 960 hours 

• The total independent learning hours for Higher National Diploma (HND) is 1,440 hours 

 

Follows the Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Health and Social Care Practice Pathway 

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TQT (Total Qualification Time) is an estimate of the total amount of time that could reasonably be expected to be required for a student to achieve and demonstrate the achievement of the level of attainment necessary for the award of a qualification. It can include, for example, guided learning, independent and unsupervised research/ learning, unsupervised coursework, watching a pre-recorded podcast or webinar, and unsupervised work-based learning. 

 

GLH (Guided Learning Hours) are defined as the time when a tutor is present to give specific guidance towards the learning aim being studied on a programme. This definition includes lectures, tutorials and supervised study in, for example, open learning centres and learning workshops. Guided Learning includes any supervised assessment activity; this includes invigilated examination and, observed assessment and observed work-based practice. 

Independent learning hours are the hours when a student is learning without the direct guidance of a member of the centre staff. They are critical to the student’s ability to develop knowledge and skills, as well as providing them with the opportunity to develop key transferrable skills such as self-discipline, time management and self-motivation. 

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The 240 credits achieved by successful completion of the HND is equivalent to completing the first two years of a Health and Social Care degree in Practice at a UK university.  

 

6: What is studied and how is it timetabled and assessed? 

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The academic year is divided into three terms, and in each term you will normally be timetabled to study 2-3 units. You will usually be timetabled for at least two to three days per week, and it must be noted that the timetable changes from term-to-term as the programme develops and units are completed. 

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A variety of forms of assessment evidence will be used, suited to the type of learning outcomes being assessed. Some units, for example, require a practical demonstration of skills, while others require students to carry out their own research and analysis, working independently or as part of a team. 

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Methods of assessment may include, for example, writing a report or essay, recording an interview or role play, examination or in-class tests, giving a presentation with assessor questioning, making a PowerPoint presentation, creating academic posters, displays or leaflets, or keeping a reflective journal. 

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The specification below covers Higher Nationals in Health and Social Care taught from the academic year September 2025 onwards. 

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*If you are an applicant who completed the Higher National Certificate before September 2025 and want to do the Higher National Diploma, please get in touch for further advice. ​

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YEAR 2

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7: Work Experience/Placement Requirements 

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The Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Health and Social Care Practice requires at least 225 hours of work experience or placement in healthcare, social care, or community work settings. Through the practice unit, learners will complete a portfolio of practice learning and development. 

 

The Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Health and Social Care Practice requires at least 450 hours of work experience or placement in healthcare, social care, or community settings. Through the practice unit, learners will complete a portfolio of practice learning and development. 

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Health and Social Care PDF

 

Level 4 Work Placement/Experience Requirements 

 

The total qualification time for the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Health and Social Care Practice includes a minimum requirement of 225 hours of work placement or experience in healthcare, social care, or community settings. These hours are part of Unit 401: Developing Professional Practice. Recommended placement or workplace settings depend on the pathway the student is studying. The mandatory elements and assessment of work placement or experience are defined in Unit 401: Developing Professional Practice. 

 

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Students can undertake placements in more than one setting, provided each meets the minimum requirements for the types of settings indicated. They can also exceed the minimum placement hours, as long as the required hours in each setting are met. 

 

Additional Guidance 

 

Placements or workplaces must enable learners to reach occupational Level 4 practice. It is advised that placements in general areas, outpatient departments, hospital departments, or general practice settings include experience in different areas of practice. Visits to specialist departments, locations, or cross-pathway areas, even for a few hours or days, will benefit learners' knowledge and experience of the wider health and social care sector. 

 

Level 4 Supervision and Assessment Requirements on Placement 

 

Students are expected to be allocated a placement supervisor during their placement in each setting. The supervisor will monitor and contribute to the continuous assessment of their progress by providing formative feedback. They will also validate placement hours, learning logs, learning experiences, and other elements that students enter into their placement portfolios. 

 

Validation, confirmed, signed off, or ratified by the student’s placement supervisor, who has been deemed competent, should be: 

At the same or higher occupational level as the student is aiming to achieve. 

In the same area of service delivery where the student is placed. 

 

Centres are strongly advised to have a supervision agreement with placement providers so that all three parties (students, centre, and placement provider) are aware of the supervision requirements. 

 

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Level 5 Work Placement/Experience Requirements 

 

The total qualification time for the Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Health and Social Care Practice includes a requirement of 450 hours (225 hours at Level 4 and 225 hours at Level 5) of work placement or experience in healthcare, social care, or community settings. These hours are part of Units 401: Developing Professional Practice and 501: Establishing Professional Practice. 

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Recommended placement or workplace settings depend on the pathway the student is studying. The mandatory elements and assessment of work placement or experience are defined in Unit 501: Establishing Professional Practice, and as follows: ​​