JW6 - BTEC L3 National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care

Applications Open: Thursday 6th November 2025

Applications Close: Tuesday 31st March 2026

Entry Requirements: Please see specific course details.

The Extended Certificate is for students who are interested in learning about the Health and Social care sector alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in Health and Social care-related subjects. It is designed to be taken as part of a programme of study that includes A Levels.

There are a variety of important skills that will be developed within this course.

• Cognitive and problem-solving skills: use critical thinking, approach non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, use systems and technology

• Intrapersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation

• Interpersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.

There are specific requirements in some units for assessment of these skills where relevant, for example, where you are required to undertake real or simulated activities.

You will also learn transferable knowledge and skills that will prepare you for progression to university. These include:

• The ability to learn independently

• The ability to research actively and methodically

• The ability to give presentations and being active group members

There will be opportunities for deep learning where you are able to make connections among units and select areas of interest for detailed study. The vocational context can help develop the knowledge and skills required for particular degree courses, including:

• Effective writing

• Analytical skills

• Preparation for assessment methods used in degrees.

The qualification is intended to carry UCAS points and is recognised by higher education institutions as contributing to meeting admission requirements to many relevant courses. It can be taken alongside a range of A Levels.

You will have a minimum of 50hrs of placement in at least one setting, putting new knowledge and skills into practice and gaining confidence in the workplace through developing behaviours required for skilled employment. Skills may be learned through real or simulated activities both in the classroom environment or on placement.

This course covers the following units

Unit 1: Children’s Development (Examination)

Unit 2: Development of Children’s Communication, Literacy and Numeracy Skills (Examination)

Unit 3: Play and Learning (Coursework)

Unit 6: Children’s Physical Development Care and Health Needs (Coursework)

Grade 4 in Math, Science and English

This qualification is primarily designed to support progression to employment via higher education; however this will also be relevant for those who choose to progress directly to employment, through an Early Years Educator Apprenticeship.

This qualification does not confer Early Years Educator status. Although it does support progression to employment in support roles in the early years sector, for example:

• supervised nursery worker

• classroom assistant

• childminding assistant

• nanny

• employment through an Early Years Educator Apprenticeship.

The qualification carries UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to meeting admission requirements to many relevant courses. It can be taken alongside other level 3 qualifications as part of a two-year programme of learning, for example:

• A level in English, Physchology, Sociology, Biology, Art etc.

• or BTEC National Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care.

Enabling progression to a range of degree programmes.

• Nursing – BSc (Hons) Adult Nursing, Nursing – Child – BSc (Hons)

• Teacher Training – Childhood and Early Years Studies BA (Hons)

• Social Work – BA (Hons) Social Work

• Psychology – Psychology BSc (Hons).