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.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Level 1 and Level 2
- First taught
- September 2026
- Amount of literacy work
- High
- Amount of numeracy work
- Low
- Specification
- Open the specification
How this qualification 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 Understanding, response and analysis
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Reading and applying case studies
Both NEAs are built around unseen case studies, and Unit 1 includes questions based on applied situations. Learners must read closely, infer an individual's needs and apply knowledge to them.
Literacy: Reading strategies, Understanding, response and analysis
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- In Health and Well-being lessons, pupils read a short case study about a family with a new baby and highlight three needs the baby has.
- Year 8
- Pupils read a case study about an older person living alone in Aberdare and infer two emotional or social needs that are not stated directly.
- Year 9
- Pupils read an unseen case study under timed conditions, annotate it for physical, intellectual, emotional and social needs, and suggest one suitable service.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Section 3.2, page 34; Summary of assessment, page 4
“choice of two case studies where they apply knowledge and understanding of adult”
Progression step 3
I can use inference and deduction to understand the text, and can consider the reliability of what I read.
I can show understanding of and use the main ideas and significant details in different texts on the same topic.
Progression step 4
I can use inference and deduction to understand more complex texts, and can consider the reliability and impact of what I read.
I can gain a full understanding of texts using inference, deduction and analysis.
Progression step 5
I can read and analyse a range of unseen, printed and digital texts with concentration and independence.
I can gain full understanding of texts using inference, deduction and analysis, understanding the context of the texts that influence the reader.
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Researching for the childcare investigation
Unit 3 includes an investigation alongside a case study, so learners must research childcare provision, select relevant information and judge how reliable it is.
Literacy: Understanding, response and analysis
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils read a Play Wales leaflet on the importance of play and summarise three main points in their own words.
- Year 8
- Pupils gather information on a local Cylch Meithrin from two sources and sort the facts under headings such as age range, activities and language.
- Year 9
- Pupils carry out a short investigation into local play provision, comparing three sources and noting which is most reliable and why.
Show the specification wording and the LNF statements
Where it is in the specification: Section 3.2, page 34
“an investigation”
Progression step 3
I can make use of reference/digital sources to select, summarise and synthesise information, referencing as appropriate.
I can collate and make connections, e.g. prioritising, categorising, between information and ideas from different sources including digital and audio-visual texts.
Progression step 4
I can research a wide range of reference and digital sources to develop a full understanding of a topic or issue.
I can evaluate the usefulness and reliability of texts.
Progression step 5
I can independently research a wide range of sources to develop an understanding of an increasingly complex topic or issue.
I can use printed and digital texts to search selectively, assessing the reliability, significance and accuracy of what I find.
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 qualifications
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).