We can't wait to welcome you to Andover College in September!
We have created this interactive page to give you a sense of what studying Health & Social Care at Andover College is like. Scroll down to learn more about your course and what you can expect to learn then try your hand at the Care Plan Activity and accompanying Case Studies.
We would love to see your results and work! Please return any work to andoverapplicantwelcome@sparsholt.ac.uk with 'Health & Social Care' as the email header!
Be sure to take a look at all the extra-curricular activities you will have the chance to do at Andover and investigate all the additional support we can offer at Andover College through our Careers and Wellbeing teams!
About the course
There are so many varied and rewarding career pathways available in Health & Social Care including, teaching, midwifery, paramedic, therapist, or mental health practitioner among many others! At Andover College our lecturers have both professional and academic qualifications in a wide range of Health & Social Care settings and up to date professional practice is a focus for all our staff.
The Health & Social Care department has put together an interesting presentation explaining the subject in greater depth. Watch the presentation and then complete the Care Plan activity workbook. Be sure to send us your work as we would love to see how you get on!
Student Experience
Former Andover College student Mia explains her decision to take Psychology, Maths and Health & Social Care, why she chose Andover College and the support available. Mia is currently completing her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Surrey.
New Activity!
Take a look at the work book below and learn more about Human Lifespan Development. We also recommend you watch the Netflix series 'Babies', if you have access to this service, you can find the trailer below.
DBS Checks: Important Information
Anyone who works with children or vulnerable people must have a complete and in-date DBS check. At Andover College as a Early Years & Childcare student you will undertake various work placements throughout your studies. This will provide you with invaluable practical experience demonstrating how your academic studies can be applied for a career in the field.
As a result of this you will need to have a DBS check certificate. When you join college in September lecturers will talk to you about this and help arrange for your DBS to be completed. Please take a look at the document below which will explain the process further and get in touch if you have any queries or concerns.
Trips, Activities and Guest Speakers!
As a Health & Social Care student you will benefit from the fantastic industry connections lecturers and academic staff have at Andover College!
We actively encourage all students to practice their skills in the 'real-world' and enjoy arranging inspirational speakers and interesting visits throughout the year. Take a look at the previous trips and speakers students have engaged with!
Student visit to Enham Trust, Andover.
Fantastic session delivered by Hearing Dogs for the Deaf at College!
Arts and crafts delivered at Andover Mencap.
Sensory room at Andover Mencap.
Students completed a risk assessment at Glo-Golf Andover - followed by a game of course!
Session delivered by local social services for Andover students.
Visit to Andover Fire Station.
Therapy dog visit in class!
Raising money for MacMillan - fantastic work!
End of year Paintballing!
Our Courses:
BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Health & Social Care (1 Year)
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care (2 Years - Equivalent to 3 A-levels)
BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Health & Social Care (2 Years - Equivalent to 1 A-Level)
As part of the level 2 and 3 Health and Social Care course all students will complete a work placement in a health/social care environment throughout the academic year. A dedicated placement day will form a part of our student’s weekly timetable and there will be group tutorial sessions throughout the year, in order to complete time sheets and portfolios.
If you have any questions, please email Ashley at: iwp@sparsholt.ac.uk
Health & Social Care Care Plan Task and Case Studies
Health & Social care Documents: Download Available
Additional Resources
Once you have completed the various activities put together by your department take a look at these additional resources to develop your interests and skills further before the start of college in September!
TV programme and documentary recommendations:
- Can Gerry Robinson fix Dementia Care Homes- Episode 2.
- Panorama- On the NHS Front line
- Secret Life of 4 Year Olds
Why not take a look around the colleges Health and Social Care pages filled with interesting information - here.
Read through these various articles detailing a variety of conditions and individual life experiences - here.
Before September you should:
- Complete the HSC Taster session and attempt to create a care plan.
- Research the “6 C’s” in Health and Social Care.
- Consider what career they would like to go into within HSC.
The Open University has a variety of free online courses available in an array of different subjects. Take a look at the catalogue to choose your course! Here.
You could also investigate the courses offered at the EtonX web page; please note these are paid for programmes that your current school may have access to so please check with them and back here regularly for updates.
Careers Guidance
Our careers guidance aims to expand the horizons of all students enabling you to make informed career decisions in order to progress both during and after college.
Carol is our dedicated Careers Advisor for Andover College!
We also have our Sun Progression Mentor Anna!
Anna works alongside the Southern Universities Network (SUN) to help students recognise the routes of progression available to them, and to continue their journey in education!
We recently launched the new Careers Hub located in the College library so come and say hello to Carol and Anna!
Social Media
We love to post about all our students on our platforms including their achievements, trips and excellent work - take a look at some of the highlights below and make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!
Student wellbeing and support
At Andover College we understand that starting college in these uncertain times can be daunting and we aim to make this process as simple as possible.
We have a dedicated team that provide our students with any additional support they need including;
- Counselling
- Carer support
- Childcare support
- Confidential one-to-one services
We have also recently introduced two new members to the wellbeing team ... Arlo and Romeo the Therapy Dogs!
Arlo and Romeo are part of the continued effort from Andover College to consistently improve on and add to provisions for students. They are based on campus with their owners throughout term.
Research has shown that students are significantly less stressed and anxious, and even have increased happiness and energy, immediately following spending time in a drop-in session with a dog present. What good boys!
Not already applied?
Got this link but not yet applied? – Click below so you can join us in September!