BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) BTEC Health and Social Care Syllabus

What are the seven care values (care value base) used in health and social care?

1. Promoting equality and diversity, 2. Promoting individual rights and beliefs, 3. Maintaining confidentiality, 4. Promoting effective communication, 5. Promoting anti-discriminatory practice, 6. Maintaining dignity, 7. Empowering individuals (commonly summarised as these values).

What does a 'person-centred approach' to care mean?

It means placing the individual at the centre of their care, treating them as a unique person, respecting their preferences, needs and values, and involving them in decisions about their own care.

What does the principle of 'empowerment' mean in care?

Empowerment means giving individuals the information, support and confidence to make their own choices and take control of their own lives and care decisions.

Why is confidentiality important in health and social care, and when can it be lawfully broken?

It maintains trust, dignity and privacy and meets legal/data protection duties. It can be broken when there is risk of serious harm to the individual or others, suspected abuse, or a legal/court requirement.

What is the difference between dignity and respect in care practice?

Dignity means treating a person so they feel valued and their self-worth is maintained (e.g. privacy during personal care); respect means recognising and valuing their individual identity, choices and beliefs.

What is the World Health Organization (WHO) definition of health?

"A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

Distinguish between a positive (holistic) and a negative definition of health.

A negative definition sees health simply as the absence of illness or disease; a positive/holistic definition sees health as overall physical, mental, social and emotional wellbeing.

What is the difference between health and wellbeing?

Health refers to physical and mental functioning of the body and mind; wellbeing refers to a person's overall sense of comfort, happiness, life satisfaction and quality of life across physical, emotional and social dimensions.

List four lifestyle factors that affect health and wellbeing.

Diet/nutrition, level of physical activity/exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, substance misuse, and sleep (any four).

How can social factors positively affect health and wellbeing? Give two examples.

Supportive relationships and strong social networks reduce stress and isolation; integration into a community and access to social support improve emotional resilience and wellbeing (any two).

What is Body Mass Index (BMI) and what is the formula used to calculate it?

BMI is a measure of body weight relative to height used to classify weight status. The formula is $BMI = \frac{mass\ (kg)}{height\ (m)^{2}}$.

A person weighs 72 kg and is 1.8 m tall. Calculate their BMI and state the category.

$BMI = \frac{72}{1.8^{2}} = \frac{72}{3.24} \approx 22.2$, which falls in the 'normal/healthy weight' category.

State the standard adult BMI classification ranges.

Underweight: $BMI < 18.5$; Healthy/normal: $18.5 \leq BMI \leq 24.9$; Overweight: $25 \leq BMI \leq 29.9$; Obese: $BMI \geq 30$.

What is the recommended healthy resting heart rate range for an average adult?

Approximately 60 to 100 beats per minute ($60$-$100\ \text{bpm}$).

What does a blood pressure reading such as 120/80 mmHg represent?

The top number (120) is systolic pressure (heart contracting) and the bottom number (80) is diastolic pressure (heart relaxing), measured in $\text{mmHg}$; 120/80 is considered ideal/normal.

What blood pressure range is generally classed as high (hypertension) for an adult?

A reading of $140/90\ \text{mmHg}$ or higher (or 135/85 measured at home) is generally classed as high blood pressure.

What is peak flow used to measure, and why is it interpreted against an expected value?

Peak flow measures how fast a person can exhale air (lung function), used to monitor conditions like asthma. It is interpreted by comparing the reading to the expected value for the person's age, sex and height.

What are the key stages in producing a person-centred health improvement plan?

1. Assess current health/indicators and risks; 2. Set realistic, agreed SMART goals with the individual; 3. Identify actions and sources of support; 4. Identify potential obstacles and ways to overcome them; 5. Review and monitor progress.

What does the acronym SMART stand for when setting health improvement targets?

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic (or Relevant), and Time-bound.

Why must a health improvement plan consider potential obstacles to change?

Anticipating obstacles (e.g. cost, time, motivation, addiction, lack of support) allows realistic strategies to be planned to overcome them, making the plan more likely to succeed and stay person-centred.

Name the four main types of abuse recognised in safeguarding.

Physical abuse, Emotional/psychological abuse, Sexual abuse, and Financial abuse (also commonly including neglect, institutional, and discriminatory abuse).

What is the difference between abuse and neglect?

Abuse is a deliberate act causing harm or distress to an individual; neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a person's basic physical, emotional or medical needs, whether deliberate or through omission.

What is meant by 'safeguarding' in health and social care?

Safeguarding means protecting an individual's health, wellbeing and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.

Name three pieces of legislation relevant to safeguarding and protecting individuals in care.

The Care Act 2014, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and the Children Act 1989/2004 (any three).

What is the purpose of a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check?

To check the criminal records and barred-list status of people applying to work with vulnerable adults and children, helping prevent unsuitable people from being employed in care roles.

What should a care worker do if they suspect abuse is taking place (basic safeguarding procedure)?

Recognise the signs, ensure the person's immediate safety, record/document factual observations, report concerns to the designated safeguarding lead following organisational policy, and maintain confidentiality (do not investigate themselves).

What are the nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010?

Age, Disability, Gender reassignment, Marriage and civil partnership, Pregnancy and maternity, Race, Religion or belief, Sex, and Sexual orientation.

Define equality, diversity and inclusion as used in care settings.

Equality: treating people fairly and giving equal access/opportunities. Diversity: recognising and valuing individual differences. Inclusion: ensuring everyone feels valued, respected and able to participate fully.

What is the difference between direct and indirect discrimination?

Direct discrimination is treating someone less favourably because of a protected characteristic; indirect discrimination is when a policy, rule or practice applies to everyone but disadvantages people with a particular protected characteristic.

What is anti-discriminatory practice in health and social care?

Anti-discriminatory practice is taking positive action to counter discrimination, promote equality, challenge prejudice and ensure all individuals are treated fairly and with respect regardless of their characteristics.

Give two ways a care worker can demonstrate anti-discriminatory practice.

Using inclusive and respectful language, adapting communication to individual needs, challenging discriminatory behaviour or remarks, respecting cultural and religious beliefs, and ensuring equal access to services (any two).