BTEC Higher Nationals are designed to provide specialist vocational programmes, linked to National Occupational Standards. The qualifications provide a thorough grounding in the key concepts and practical skills required in the sector. BTEC Higher Nationals offer a strong emphasis on practical skills development alongside the development of requisite knowledge and understanding in the sector. Learners are attracted to these strong vocational programmes of study that meet individual progression needs whether this is into employment or to further study on a degree or professional course.

A key progression path for BTEC Higher National Certificate and Diploma learners is to the second or third year of a degree or honours degree programme, depending on the match of the BTEC Higher National units to the degree programme in question.

BTEC Higher Nationals in Health and Social Care have been designed to:

• equip individuals with underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for success in employment in the health and social care sector at supervisory or management levels
• provide specialist studies relevant to individual vocations and professions in which learners are working or in which they intend to seek employment in the health and/or social care sector
• develop the ability of learners to contribute to the health and social care environment through effective use and combination of the knowledge and skills gained in different parts of the programme
• develop skills and techniques, and personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life and thereby enable learners to make an immediate contribution to employment
• develop transferable skills and knowledge which will enable individuals to meet changing circumstances, whether moving within their own area of employment, promotion to a supervisory or management position or general changes in the provision or environment of health and social care
• prepare individuals to progress to further professional development of higher-level skills through to future study or career advancement
• enable focused study in defined areas of the health and social care sector with specialist designed units.