AS Level Coursework

Below are the requirements for AS Level Coursework:

AS 1 Coursework

For unit AS 1 – Promoting Positive Care, students must produce a report on a health, social care or early years setting.

In the report, students must:

  • explain how the attitudes of care staff can lead to discriminatory behaviour towards clients and the effect this can have on well-being;
  • analyse how legislation impacts upon the rights and responsibilities of service users and providers;
  • explain how the principles of the care value base may be applied by care workers in their daily work; and
  • discuss how health and safety legislation is applied.

Students must also:

  • describe the purpose and monitoring of three policies that are in place in the chosen care setting; and
  • evaluate the importance of these three policies in promoting positive care.

AS 2 Coursework

For unit AS 2 – Communication in Care Settings, students must produce a report that examines communication skills within a health, social care or early years setting. Through the report, students must show evidence of using their own communication skills in a one-to-one and group setting.

In the report, students must:

  • include examples of two different types of communication used in their chosen care setting and their purpose;
  • describe barriers affecting the effectiveness of communication in the chosen care setting and explain how identified barriers can be overcome;
  • include a description of how effective communication within the care setting assists team working;
  • include an explanation of how effective communication contributes to meeting client needs;
  • include records;
  • evaluate their own communication skills in a one-to-one and group interaction; and
  • provide suggestions for improving their communication skills.

AS 4 Coursework

For unit AS 4 – Child Development, students must produce a case study that compares the growth and development of a child aged 6–8 years with established norms.

The case study must include three observations of the child and an interview or questionnaire with a parent or guardian to find out about:

  • the child’s development from birth;
  • three factors that have affected his/her development;
  • aspects of development that are related to two theories.

The final report must include:

  • records of three observations (checklist, narrative and time sampling), and the interview or questionnaire used;
  • a description of the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of the child from birth to his/her current age and a comparison of the child with developmental norms;
  • an explanation of the three factors that have affected the development of the child based on the information collected;
  • an analysis of how two theories of development are relevant to the child; and
  • a evaluation of the research methods used with suggestions for improvement.

AS 6 Coursework

For unit AS 6 – Holistic Therapies, students must produce an information pack that includes a comparison of the treatment of two common medical conditions with orthodox medicine and holistic therapies. The information pack must also include a summary of current trends and opinions on holistic therapies and a description of their use in a health care setting.

Students must include:

  • a description of four holistic therapies – brief history, use, description of treatment and safety aspects;
  • a comparative study of the treatment of two medical conditions with orthodox medicine and two holistic therapies;
  • an evaluation of the treatment of the two medical conditions with orthodox medicine and two holistic therapies;
  • a summary of current trends and opinions on holistic therapies drawing information from a range of sources;
  • a description of the use of holistic therapies as treatment in a care setting; and
  • an analysis of the benefits to clients of using holistic therapies within the chosen setting.