Cambridge National Health and Social Care

In delivering Health and Social Care at Cambridge National level, our curriculum follows the OCR specification and is designed to give students a strong foundation in understanding how to support and promote health, wellbeing and high-quality care across a range of settings. Students explore the key principles of care, the development of individuals across life stages, and the wide variety of factors that can impact physical, intellectual, emotional and social growth and development.

What Students Study

Across the Cambridge National Health and Social Care course, students gain knowledge and practical understanding in areas such as:

- The rights of service users and why promoting these rights is essential in health, social care and early years settings
- Person-centred care, communication strategies and how to maintain dignity, respect and confidentiality
- Human growth and development, from infancy to later adulthood
- Factors that affect growth and development, including lifestyle choices, relationships, environment, genetics and economic influences

The Benefits of Studying Health and Social Care

Studying Cambridge National Health and Social Care allows students to:
- Understand how to make informed, positive choices about their own health and wellbeing
- Develop empathy, communication and problem‑solving skills that support healthy relationships and interactions
- Build awareness of how care services work, who they support and how professionals meet the diverse needs of individuals
- Recognise the wider influences on health, such as culture, income, lifestyle and education

Why Study Cambridge National Health and Social Care?

The Cambridge National qualification is modern, vocational and engaging. It provides a strong introduction to the health and social care sector, focusing on real-life scenarios and practical tasks. Students develop:
- Applied knowledge of how professionals support individuals in health, social care and early years settings
- Technical skills, such as writing reports and applying communication techniques
- Critical understanding of how life events, health factors and social influences shape people’s lives
 

Careers

Studying Health and Social Care supports career pathways in:
- Nursing and midwifery
- Social work
- Early years and childcare
- Public health
- Education and SEND support
- Emergency services and community care roles
- Care home work, health assistants and support roles within the NHS