Building the blocks for a career in health and social care, or childcare; the new GCSE explained
Tom Croke, Qualifications Manager, takes a look at how existing single and double award qualifications have been brought together into a brand new GCSE in health and social care, and childcare.
From September 2026, learners in Wales will be able to study a newly designed GCSE Health and Social Care, and Childcare qualification which reflects the changing needs of the sectors and the ambitions of the Curriculum for Wales.
This new GCSE offers a meaningful introduction to one of Wales’s largest and fastest growing employment sectors. Learners will explore how individuals are supported in settings such as hospitals, care homes, nurseries, schools, and community services.
Through this qualification, learners will gain the knowledge and skills needed to understand health and social care, and childcare in Wales in the 21st century, and to prepare for future study in the sector.
So, how is this qualification different from the current GCSE?
Taking a closer look at the content
One of the most significant changes in the new GCSE is the consolidation of the previous single and double award options into a single qualification. Learners will, however, continue to study both health and social care and childcare, gaining insight into how individuals can be supported throughout their lives.
They’ll explore:
- human growth, development, and wellbeing across the life cycle
- factors affecting health, and tools used to measure and support wellbeing
- how professionals work to meet the needs of different individuals and achieve positive outcomes
- public health and health promotion
- key conditions and illnesses in adulthood and childhood
- play and play work
Revised assessment arrangements
Learners will study both health and social care, and childcare, in equal measure.
They will sit one examination assessment, worth 40%, which assesses their knowledge and understanding across both areas. This ensures that core concepts, principles, and frameworks from health and social care, and childcare, are explored fully.
In addition, learners will complete two non-examination assessments, each worth 30%:
- one focuses on health and social care, where they will investigate how services support individuals across the life course
- the other focuses on childcare, where they will explore how children develop and are supported in early years settings
This balanced approach will enable learners to gain meaningful experience in both areas, supporting progression into further study and careers in Wales’s health, social care, and childcare sectors.
As part of the broader commitment to digital innovation, at least one assessment will be available digitally within five years. This shift supports greater accessibility and flexibility in how learners engage with the qualification.
Enriching the learner experience
In line with the Curriculum for Wales, the qualification encourages learners to engage in meaningful experiences that extend beyond the classroom. While not directly assessed, these experiences help learners connect their learning to real-world contexts and develop a stronger sense of cynefin, their place and identity within their community.
For example, learners might visit local health and social care or childcare settings, explore career pathways through research or guest talks, or interact with professionals (either in person or online) to hear first-hand about working in the sector.
Supporting centres through change
Over the coming year, WJEC will be rolling out a programme of professional learning and resources to support the delivery of this qualification, including:
- a specification walk-through
- live, online qualification briefing
- face-to-face ‘Preparing to Teach’ events
- assessment walk-throughs
Further information can be found on WJEC’s website.