OCR Health and Social Care and Mental Health

Applications Open: 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: 27th February 2026

Application Details: At Hartsdown Academy we run the International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme https://www.ibo.org/programmes/career-related-programme/ . Prospective students need to choose 1 Vocational Course (BTEC or OCR) and 2 IB Diploma Courses.

Entry Requirements: 5 x Grade 4-9 including Maths & English. A good attendance and behaviour record is also essential.

How to Apply: - Please apply via KentChoices

This is a brand new 2026 course combines Health and Social Care with Mental Health that enables learners to develop key knowledge, understanding and skills, think creatively, innovatively, analytically, logically and critically as well as develop valuable communication skills that are important in all aspects of further study and life. They will develop transferable learning and skills, such as communication, planning, presentation and research skills, that are important for progression to HE and can be applied to real-life contexts and work situations. Students will partake in creating and designing a public health campaign to showcase to the school and local community.

This combined course is the equivalent to two A levels and requires a lot of independent research and essay writing, as well as preparation for exams. This is the career related path as part of the IBCP programme.

UNITS include:

Fundamentals of mental health and the individual

Mental health, wellbeing and society

Supporting and promoting mental health and wellbeing in organisations

Community-based support for mental health and wellbeing

Supporting mental health and wellbeing with outdoor and creative activities

Some are externally assessed units and others are NEA/coursework units.

Am I suited to this course?

You would be well-suited to studying this qualification if you:

Want to develop your interest in the importance of mental health in society.

Level 3 progression at Hartsdown Academy sixth form

Are good at working independently on writing coursework and meeting deadlines

Develop skills that will enable you to work with people of all ages.

Want to continue with further study and training within the health sector.

Students must complete units, some are externally assessed units and others are NEA/coursework units

Potential University Courses:

BSc (Honours) Psychology with Mental Health

BSc (Honours) Mental Health Nursing

BSc (Honours) Mental Health and Wellbeing

BSc (Honours) Counselling and Mental Health

BSc (Honours) Health and Social Care (Mental Health)

BSc (Honours) Psychological Wellbeing and Counselling

BSc (Honours) Mental Health Studies

NHS apprenticeships

Future Opportunities

The future opportunities in this sector are immense! This sector needs you! With the growing importance of mental health in society, now is the time to consider your future opportunities, which in this sector are endless!

Adult psychotherapist.

Assistant psychologist.

Child and adolescent psychotherapist.

Children's wellbeing practitioner.

Clinical associate in psychology.

Clinical psychologist.

Counselling psychologist.