Health and Social Services

Lesson Overview

Unit: Understanding Human Development
Lesson: 6 of 20
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 10 students
Age: Year 11 (15-16 years old)
National Curriculum Link:
This lesson supports the overarching aims of the Health and Social Care elements outlined in the National Curriculum for England’s Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education (Key Stage 4), focusing on understanding care provision, roles, and impact on human development and wellbeing.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

Identify a wide range of health and social care services available in the UK.
Explain the roles and responsibilities of different health and social care professionals.
Describe how these services support human development across the lifespan.
Analyse the importance of accessible care services in achieving wellbeing and promoting independence.

These objectives align with the PSHE Programme of Study (KS4), specifically:

"Developing an understanding of health and wellbeing, including NHS and wider social care services".
"Recognising the roles and responsibilities of people and services that support health and social care needs."

Resources Needed

Interactive whiteboard or projector
Printed role cards for different care services / professionals
Flipchart or whiteboard markers
Student workbooks or digital devices (for note-taking)
Printedscenario cards depicting different life stages and support needs
Large UK map showing NHS Trusts and local care providers (optional)

Lesson Structure

1. Starter Activity (10 minutes)

Objective: Activate prior knowledge and engage students.

Ask the class: “What health or social care services do you already know?”
Record quick answers on the board grouped by categories (healthcare, social care, voluntary sector).
Show an illustrated diagram displaying the main types of health and social care services (NHS, Social Services, Charities, Private Care).
Ask students to vote on which services they think are the most important for different age groups (use a touchscreen poll or show of hands).

2. Direct Teaching & Discussion (15 minutes)

Objective: Introduce and explain main health and social care services and their roles.

Present a concise overview of key services:
- NHS Services: GPs, hospitals, community health teams, mental health services
- Social Care Services: Residential care, domiciliary care, social workers
- Voluntary/Charity Organisations: Age UK, Mind, Carers UK
- Private Care Providers: Home care agencies, private hospitals
Use visual infographics on the board showing these roles.
Discuss the distinct purpose of each service and how they collectively support physical, emotional, and social development.
Highlight legislation underpinning service provision such as the Care Act 2014 and the Children Act 1989 to contextualise professional responsibilities.

3. Group Activity – Role Exploration (20 minutes)

Objective: Deepen understanding of roles and interconnections.

Divide students into 5 pairs, assign each a role card describing a health or social care professional (e.g., District Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist, Care Assistant, Mental Health Practitioner).
Each pair will:
1. Read their role card.
2. Briefly discuss what activities their professional undertakes.
3. Prepare to explain to the class how their role supports a person’s development in a particular life stage (childhood, adulthood, elderly).
Follow with a carousel presentation: each pair presents in 2 minutes, other students ask 1-2 questions to extend understanding.
Teacher observes and prompts clarification or additional detail where needed.

4. Case Study Application (10 minutes)

Objective: Apply knowledge to real-life scenarios.

Present a scenario card showing a person with specific health/social needs (e.g., elderly adult with mobility issues, child with learning difficulties).
Students individually write a brief plan identifying which services would support this person's development and why, including relevant professionals and support type (medical, emotional, practical).
Encourage use of keywords: development, wellbeing, independence, dignity, safeguarding.

5. Plenary and Assessment (5 minutes)

Objective: Review learning and assess understanding.

Conduct a quick quiz (or oral Q&A) using key questions:
- Name two health services and two social care services.
- What is the role of a social worker?
- How do services support human development at different life stages?
Collect the scenario plans to mark or discuss briefly for formative assessment.
End with a reflective question: “Why is it important for health and social care services to work together?”

Differentiation & Inclusion

Provide role cards with clear, simple language and visual prompts to support EAL learners.
For students needing extension, invite them to research one less common care service and share findings next lesson.
Use mixed-ability pairs to encourage peer support.
Ensure scenarios represent diverse backgrounds and conditions (e.g., disability, mental health, ageing).

Curriculum Links Summary

Curriculum Element	Reference	How Addressed
PSHE Education KS4: Health & Wellbeing	DfE National Curriculum for England	Overview of health/social care roles/services
Care Act 2014 and safeguarding	Relevant statutory frameworks	Highlighting professional responsibilities and legal context
Personal development through lifelong learning	Developing understanding of human needs	Case studies and role application

Reflection & Next Steps

For lesson 7, build on this groundwork to explore barriers to accessing health and social care services and the impact on development.
Collect student feedback on which service roles interested them most for differentiated follow-up activities.
Consider involving a guest speaker (e.g., local care professional) to enrich real-world connections.

By implementing this well-structured, interactive lesson, students will gain a meaningful and curriculum-aligned understanding of health and social care services vital to human development in the UK context.

Teaching Instructions