What should I focus on for Pearson Education Ltd A-Level Health & Social Care?

When describing emotional development, structure your answer by life stage and use key psychological terms like 'emotional literacy', 'attachment', and 'self-esteem'.

What should I focus on for Pearson Education Ltd A-Level Health & Social Care? (2)

To explain attachment theory effectively, always include Bowlby's key ideas and Ainsworth's Strange Situation, and show how they link to later emotional outcomes.

What should I focus on for Pearson Education Ltd A-Level Health & Social Care? (3)

In extended writing questions, support your points with real-life examples or case studies from health and social care settings, such as the impact of separation on children in hospital.

What should I focus on for Pearson Education Ltd A-Level Health & Social Care? (4)

Structure your answers using clear subheadings for each life stage or for PIES categories to ensure all aspects are covered and your response is easy to assess.

What should I focus on for Pearson Education Ltd A-Level Health & Social Care? (5)

When describing key features, always anchor your points to specific developmental milestones or theorists—for example, refer to puberty in adolescence or menopause in middle adulthood.

What are common mistakes in Pearson Education Ltd A-Level Health & Social Care?

Confusing emotional development with social development, such as describing friendship patterns instead of internal feelings and self-concept.

What are common mistakes in Pearson Education Ltd A-Level Health & Social Care? (2)

Over-simplifying attachment theory by merely stating 'early bonds matter' without explaining the mechanisms (e.g., secure base, internal working model) or the differences between attachment types.

What are common mistakes in Pearson Education Ltd A-Level Health & Social Care? (3)

Failing to cover emotional development across all life stages, often omitting later adulthood or only focusing on infancy and childhood.

Health & Social Care

Pearson Education Ltd

A-Level

Specification: 100/4294/5

This subject will help you develop key knowledge and skills required for exam success.

Topics

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

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Key Features

Master key concepts
Develop exam technique
Apply knowledge effectively

What Gets Top Grades

A*/Grade 9

Knowledge & Understanding

Demonstrates comprehensive and accurate knowledge

Uses correct subject-specific terminology
Shows detailed understanding of concepts
Makes accurate connections between topics
Demonstrates depth beyond surface-level knowledge

Application

Applies knowledge effectively to new contexts

Selects relevant knowledge for the question
Adapts understanding to unfamiliar scenarios
Uses examples appropriately
Shows awareness of context

Analysis & Evaluation

Develops sophisticated analytical arguments

Constructs logical chains of reasoning
Considers multiple perspectives
Weighs evidence to reach justified conclusions
Acknowledges limitations and nuances

Key Command Words

Pearson Education Ltd

State

1 mark

Give a single fact or term

Identify

1 mark

Name, select, or recognise

Outline

2 marks

Set out main features briefly

Describe

2-4 marks

Give an account of what something is like or what happens

Explain

3-6 marks

Give reasons with developed cause→effect chains

Compare

2-4 marks

State similarities AND differences (both required)

Analyse

6-9 marks

Examine in detail showing cause→effect→consequence chains

Evaluate

6-12 marks

Weigh up BOTH sides, reach JUSTIFIED conclusion

Assess

6-12 marks

Make judgments about importance with justification

Calculate

2-4 marks

Show formula→substitution→calculation→answer with units

Common Exam Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exams

•Confusing emotional development with social development, such as describing friendship patterns instead of internal feelings and self-concept.
•Over-simplifying attachment theory by merely stating 'early bonds matter' without explaining the mechanisms (e.g., secure base, internal working model) or the differences between attachment types.
•Failing to cover emotional development across all life stages, often omitting later adulthood or only focusing on infancy and childhood.
•Confusing the age boundaries of life stages, such as placing early childhood as 0-5 instead of 3-8 years, or merging adolescence and early adulthood.
•Providing generic descriptions (e.g., 'they grow') without specifying physical, cognitive, or social-emotional changes.
•Omitting one or more PIES dimensions, often neglecting intellectual or emotional development in favour of physical growth.
•Misapplying theories, such as attributing Erikson's identity vs. role confusion to middle adulthood instead of adolescence.
•Failing to recognise that later adulthood is not a homogeneous stage and ignoring variations in health and activity levels.

Top Examiner Tips

Expert advice for exam success

•When describing emotional development, structure your answer by life stage and use key psychological terms like 'emotional literacy', 'attachment', and 'self-esteem'.
•To explain attachment theory effectively, always include Bowlby's key ideas and Ainsworth's Strange Situation, and show how they link to later emotional outcomes.
•In extended writing questions, support your points with real-life examples or case studies from health and social care settings, such as the impact of separation on children in hospital.
•Structure your answers using clear subheadings for each life stage or for PIES categories to ensure all aspects are covered and your response is easy to assess.
•When describing key features, always anchor your points to specific developmental milestones or theorists—for example, refer to puberty in adolescence or menopause in middle adulthood.
•Use case study examples or scenarios to illustrate how you would apply knowledge of life stages in a care context, demonstrating practical relevance.
•Revise the typical age ranges precisely; exam questions often require you to identify the stage from a given age, so accuracy is crucial.
•Practice comparing two life stages, as questions may ask you to contrast features—prepare comparative tables during revision.

Specification Topics

5 topics

Human Lifespan Development

This subtopic examines how individuals develop emotionally from infancy through to later adulthood, focusing on the formation, regulation, and expression of feelings and the ability to form secure relationships. Central to this is attachment theory, which explains how early bonds with caregivers influence emotional well-being and social competence across the lifespan. Understanding these patterns is essential for health and social care practitioners to support healthy emotional development and intervene when attachments are disrupted.

Emotional Development, Life Stages, Principles of Growth and Development +3 more

0 objectives22 tips22 pitfalls6 subtopics

Working in Health and Social Care

Multi-agency working in health and social care involves coordinated collaboration between diverse professionals and organisations to deliver seamless, person-centred support. This approach ensures that individuals with complex needs receive comprehensive care by integrating services from health, social care, education, and justice sectors, reducing duplication and improving outcomes. Practically, it underpins statutory frameworks like the Care Act 2014, requiring joint assessments and information sharing to protect vulnerable adults and children.

Multi-Agency Working, Roles and Responsibilities, Legislation and Policies +1 more

0 objectives15 tips16 pitfalls4 subtopics

Meeting Individual Care and Support Needs

This subtopic focuses on the practical strategies and person-centred approaches required to support individuals with physical and learning disabilities in health and social care settings. Learners must understand how to assess individual needs, promote independence, and adapt care plans to overcome barriers, ensuring dignity and empowerment in line with current legislation and best practice.

Supporting Individuals with Specific Needs, Communication in Care Settings, Person-Centred Care +1 more

0 objectives11 tips13 pitfalls4 subtopics

Health, Safety and Security in Health and Social Care

This element examines the statutory requirements governing health and safety within health, social care, and early years settings. Learners explore how key pieces of legislation, such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and COSHH, impose duties on employers and employees to manage risks, report incidents, and protect individuals from harm. Applying these laws to real-world scenarios demonstrates understanding of safeguarding and professional accountability.

Health and Safety Legislation, Security Measures, Infection Prevention and Control +1 more

0 objectives16 tips16 pitfalls4 subtopics

Promoting Public Health

Health inequalities refer to systematic differences in health outcomes between population groups, driven by social determinants such as income, education, and environment. Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective public health strategies to promote equity. This element explores the root causes and evidence-based interventions to reduce disparities, fostering a fairer society.

Health Inequalities, Epidemiology, Public Health Strategies +1 more

0 objectives14 tips14 pitfalls4 subtopics

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