GCSE Health and Social Care, and Childcare
This is a writing-heavy GCSE: learners read unseen case studies, apply care-sector terminology and write reasoned judgements across two 12-hour NEAs and an examination with extended answers. Numeracy is limited to one area of Unit 1, reading physiological measurements and interpreting wellbeing statistics, surveys and lifestyle data. The biggest thing Key Stage 3 can build is confident reading of a short case study followed by an organised, evaluative written response that uses the right terms.
- First taught
- September 2026
- Amount of literacy work
- High
- Amount of numeracy work
- Low
- Specification
- Open the WJEC specification (PDF)
How this GCSE is assessed
- Unit 1: Health and Social Care, and Childcare in Wales in the 21st Century: Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 40%
- Unit 2: Adult Health and Social Care: Non-examination assessment 12 hours (choice of case studies), 30%
- Unit 3: Childcare: Non-examination assessment 12 hours (case study and investigation), 30%
Skills that use Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context
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Writing organised, evaluative answers
The specification sets out to develop learners' ability to organise writing, and AO3 (30% of the qualification) asks them to analyse and evaluate provision, make reasoned judgements and draw conclusions.
Literacy: Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils write two paragraphs on how exercise helps physical and emotional wellbeing, linking the paragraphs with a connective.
- Year 8
- Pupils write a short piece weighing up one advantage and one disadvantage of a Flying Start style service for families, ending with a clear conclusion.
- Year 9
- Pupils write an extended answer judging how well a health promotion campaign such as Help Me Quit meets its aims, giving evidence for and against.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Section 1.2, page 8; Section 3.1, page 33
“develop literacy skills, being able to organise writing and adapt language confidently,”
Progression step 3
I can write an effective introduction that establishes context and purpose, a suitable balance between facts and viewpoints, and a precise conclusion.
I can use paragraphs and make links between them.
Progression step 4
I can use summary, discussion of issues, detailed explanations and logic when covering a topic.
I can organise and construct my writing effectively, connecting and developing my ideas for a range of different contexts.
Progression step 5
I can write extended pieces which include detailed evidence and information for different purposes and audiences within and across different disciplines.
I can organise writing in an appropriate form, ensuring content is detailed within and between paragraphs or sections, developing and sustaining ideas coherently.
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Planning and redrafting across a long NEA
Each NEA takes 12 hours and may be split across several sittings, so learners must plan their time, keep work organised and review and improve it before digital submission.
Literacy: Planning and organising for different purposes, audiences and context, Proofreading, editing and improving
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils plan a short leaflet on hand hygiene with a simple outline, then check and correct their spelling before handing it in.
- Year 8
- Pupils draft a report on a local health service over two lessons, using a checklist to improve it at the start of the second lesson.
- Year 9
- Pupils complete a case study task over three lessons, keeping a plan, redrafting one section after teacher feedback and proofreading the final version.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Section 3.2, page 34
“The assessment could be completed in several sittings due to the length of the non-examination assessment.”
Progression step 3
I can explore different ways to plan, draft and present my work appropriately.
I can reflect on, edit and redraft to improve the quality of my expression, and use a range of strategies to ensure greater clarity.
Progression step 4
I can select and use appropriate strategies to plan and develop my writing for different purposes and audiences.
I can improve writing through independent review and redrafting.
Progression step 5
I can select and use appropriate strategies to plan and develop my writing for a challenging range of different purposes and audiences.
I can improve the content, structure and accuracy of my writing through critical reflection, review and editing, responding constructively to feedback.
Good to know
- The specification awards no separate marks for spelling, punctuation and grammar and says nothing about calculators; assessment detail is left to the Assessment Pack: "The Assessment Pack will include all detailed information relating to assessment." (page 33).
- Unit 1 is a written examination with extended answers: "Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes" (page 4).
- Both NEAs are 12 hours and must be submitted digitally: "Assessments must be submitted digitally." (page 34).
- Case studies are unseen until the assessment starts, so reading skills cannot be rehearsed on the actual text: "Learners should not have access to the case studies or tasks until the start of the assessment." (page 34).
- Evaluation is heavily weighted: AO3, "Investigate, analyse, and evaluate values, issues and provision in health and social care, and childcare, making reasoned judgements and drawing conclusions.", is 30% of the qualification (page 33).
Links with other GCSEs
Pulse and heart rate work overlaps with fitness testing in Physical Education and Health, and wellbeing statistics link to data handling in Mathematics and Numeracy and Geography.
Source: WJEC GCSE Health and Social Care, and Childcare specification, teaching from 2026, for award from 2028 (© WJEC CBAC Ltd 2025).