Queen Elizabeth High School / Ysgol Uwchradd Y Frenhines Elisabeth

The WJEC GCSE in Health and Social Care, and Childcare equips learners with knowledge, understanding and skills related to the development and care of individuals throughout the life cycle from conception to later adulthood. Learners have the opportunity to develop their understanding of influences on human growth, development, behaviour and well-being. They will also gain an understanding of the social, physical, emotional, and cultural needs of people who use care and support services, and recognise that each individual has a unique blend of abilities and needs. Learners will gain an understanding of how service provision in Wales supports the development and well-being of individuals, to be able to make informed decisions now and in later life.

This specification has been designed to include contemporary issues in relation to the provision of an ethical and sustainable health and social care, and childcare system in Wales, and to create independent learners that can make informed decisions about further learning opportunities or continuing into related career choices. The layout of the content into units promotes flexibility of delivery. Active learning and personalisation is promoted by giving learners opportunities to investigate care issues and topics of their own choice. By studying Health and Social Care, and Childcare learners will be able to:  develop and apply knowledge, understanding and skills to contemporary issues in a range of health and social care, and childcare contexts  actively engage in the study of health and social care, and childcare to develop as effective and independent learners, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds  appreciate a range of perspectives on the impacts of health and social care, and childcare services on wider society  consider how health and social care, and childcare practice should be ethical and support a sustainable health and care system  develop and apply skills relevant to health and social care, and childcare including using and interpreting data  develop an awareness of career pathways available within the health and social care, and childcare sector.