The Cambridge OCR Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification Cambridge Advanced National in Health and Social Care (Certificate) is for students aged 16-19 years old. It will develop knowledge, understanding and skills that will help prepare you for progression to undergraduate study when taken alongside other qualifications and are relevant to the health and social care sector. You might be interested in this qualification if you want a small qualification that builds applied or practical skills, to take alongside and enhance your A Levels or other Level 3 qualifications. You will have the opportunity to apply what you learn to real-life contexts, such as:

• Recommending support for individuals.
• Presenting advice and guidance.
• Communicating and building relationships. 

The qualification will also help you develop independence and confidence in using skills that are relevant to the sector and that prepare you for progressing to university courses where independent study skills are needed. You will develop the following transferable skills that can be used in both higher education and other life and work situations: 

• Communicating and collaborating effectively with individuals
• Creating and presenting/delivering information to an individual.
• Independent learning, spending time outside of lessons completing research and solve problems.
• Researching topic areas and recording research sources, then using them to interpret findings and present evidence. 
• Recommending care and support for individuals. 
• Presentation skills by presenting recommendations to others. 
• Problem solving health and social care problems for others.

During your studies, you will develop the necessary knowledge and skills that can support progression to higher education health and/or social care study. In the examined unit, you will study key knowledge and understanding relevant to health and social care. In the non examined assessment (NEA) units, you will demonstrate knowledge and skills you learn by completing applied or practical assignments. More information about the knowledge and skills you will develop is below.

This unit is assessed by an exam. 

In this unit you will learn about the key topics that are important to develop underpinning knowledge and understanding relevant to health and social care. Topics include:

• Topic Area 1 - Equality, diversity, and rights in health and social care settings
• Topic Area 2 - Managing hazards, health and safety in health and social care settings
• Topic Area 3 - Legislation in health and social care settings o Topic Area 4 Best practice in health and social care settings

This unit is assessed by an assignment.

In this unit you will learn the principles and values that underpin a person-centred approach to care and the practical tools that can be used to develop care plans for individuals. You will explore how to communicate in health and social care, how to build relationships and the barriers that need to be overcome to achieve person-centred care. You will learn to write outline care plans to suit individuals, using person-centred approaches and develop your reflective practice skills. Topics include:

• Topic Area 1 - Taking a person-centred approach
• Topic Area 2 - Meeting needs and providing support in a person-centred way
• Topic Area 3 - Communication skills needed to offer person-centred care 

 This unit is assessed by an assignment.

 In this unit you will learn about how individuals with mental health conditions can be cared for and supported in a way which is suitable for their needs. You will do this through exploring the meaning of mental health and mental health needs, and considering the main types of mental health conditions and how these may affect the life of individuals. You will explore the different ways that individuals may be supported to promote their mental well-being, manage their illness, and different forms of treatment that may be available. Topics include:

• Topic Area 1 - Definitions and views of mental health
• Topic Area 2 - Mental health conditions
• Topic Area 3 - Provision of mental health services 
• Topic Area 4 - Treatment and support for mental health conditions