Why study SfW Health and Social Care?
The social services workforce has grown by a massive 44% in the last ten years. This includes workers in four sub-sectors: care homes for adults, care homes for children and young people, early education and childcare, and support services.
There are around 138,000 people working in social services in Scotland, ten years ago there were 96,000. Job prospects are likely to remain good, and employment levels are set to continue to grow in both social care and health care. People are living longer and we have an ageing population.
Health and Social Care offers good opportunities for those who enjoy:
- caring for people
- working with children
- listening to people
- giving advice.
Career Pathways
To see what career areas this subject could lead to and the routes to get there, download and view these career pathways:
Health and Medicine
Social, Caring and Advisory Services
What do I need to get in?
Entry is at the discretion of the school or college, however you would normally be expected to have attained one of the following, or equivalent:
What will I study?
The course is made up of four compulsory units, each one taking 40 hours of study:
- Understanding and Supporting People in Health and Social Care Settings
- Care Principles and Practice
- Working in Health and Social Care Settings
- Health, Safety and Protection Issues in Care Settings
You will learn about
- how young people develop through life and what affects development
- preventing and managing stress
- carrying out risk assessments
- different types of service provision
- health and safety issues
Where will I take the course?
- You will usually train at a local college. Training sessions will take place for a set number of hours and weeks during term time.
- You will have to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on this course, for example: safety footwear (boots or shoes with steel toe caps), safety glasses and a boiler suit or overalls.
Work experience/placements
- Work experience in a real or simulated environment is a key component of this course. You should be able to arrange a placement by speaking to your pastoral care or guidance teacher in school.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment will be based on a range of individual and group investigations, case studies set in health and social care settings, and various practical activities including producing a care plan.
What can I go on to next?
You may be able to progress to:
Employment /Training
- A job as a care assistant, home carer or health care assistant
- A Modern Apprenticeship leading to a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) at SCQF Levels 5 to 6 in Health and Social Care.
Further/Higher Education
- A one year full time National Certificate (NC) or National Qualification (NQ) in a health care, social care or social work subject.
Further study, training or employment in:
Which jobs are related to this subject?
