Unit 13 Policy in Health and Social Care Assignment Brief 2026 | Pearson

Unit 13 Policy in Health and Social Care Assignment Brief

Students explore how health and social care policies are developed and implemented, and the impact these policies have on organisations and individuals. This unit builds understanding of policy-making processes in health and social care.

Unit introduction

Health and social care services operate within a framework of policies and regulations designed to protect individuals and ensure high standards of care. Understanding how these policies are created and implemented is essential for anyone working in the sector,  as they influence everything from service delivery to professional conduct.

This unit explores the role of government agencies in shaping health and social care policy, the factors that influence decision making, and the impact these policies have on organisations and individuals. You will investigate current regulations and codes of practice, and how local settings adapt to meet evolving priorities, including responses  to global challenges such as pandemics and digital transformation.

By completing this unit, you will develop critical research and analytical skills that will prepare you for a wide range of roles in health and social care. The knowledge gained will support progression to higher education in health-related fields or employment in roles such as care assistant, policy advisor or community health worker, where understanding policy is key to effective practice, as well as a range of ancillary roles.

Learning Aim and Assessment Criteria

The essential content is set out under content areas. Students must cover all specified content before the assessment.

Learning aim A: Understand the role of government agencies in health and social care policy making

A1 The background to the policy-making process

• The range of government agencies: digital health governance bodies, international health organisations (WHO, OECD) influencing policy, WHO guidance on Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence for Health.
• Funding issues: digital transformation, telehealth infrastructure, green health care initiatives.

A2 The policy-making process in the health and social care sector

• Definition of government policy.
• The thinking behind the regulations influenced by pressure groups.
• The reasons for reform of health and social care policies.
• How key priorities are identified.
• How research is carried out before policy making begins.
• How data from research is used in formulating policy, real-time health surveillance systems in policy formulation, machine learning for health trends, open data platforms for transparency.
• How recommendations are made.
• How regulations come into practice: how different health and social care settings put regulations into practice.

Learning aim B: Examine the factors that may influence policy making in health and social care

B1 Factors that influence policy making in health and social care

• The views of political parties.
• The ways policy influences codes of practice.
• Research.
• Developing research skills for health and social care investigations, including selecting secondary sources, planning and managing research.
• Promotional campaigns: online health awareness campaigns, influencer-driven health messaging, data-driven public engagement.
• Lobbying.
• The role of individuals using health and social care.
• Individual influences on policy making: patient-led digital platforms, crowdsourced health data, community-driven policy feedback loops.
• Social media influence, public opinion via digital platforms, global health crises (e.g. pandemics, climate change) as major influencing factors.

B2 Priorities of organisations in the health and social care sector

• Implementing policy.
• Meeting objectives set out by government policies.
• Digital inclusion for vulnerable groups, cybersecurity in health systems, sustainability goals (green health care) as organisational priorities.
• Raising awareness of health and social care in the public arena.
• Representing needs of individuals.
• Changes to policy necessitated by COVID-19.
• Reflecting demographic trends and changes.
• Meeting service needs not provided by the government.

Learning aim C: Explore the impact of policy on local health and social care organisations and individuals

C1 Current regulations in health and social care

• Regulations must be current and applicable to the country where the setting is located.
• Data protection guidance, telemedicine compliance standards, AI regulation in health care (e.g. artificial intelligence strategy and implementation plans).
• Link between regulations and policy, and how policy generates regulations.

C2 Ways that local health and social care organisations implement regulations and policies

• Regulations and policies must be current and applicable to local organisations in the country where the setting is located, e.g.:
  • hospitals
  • Clinical Commissioning Groups
  • voluntary sector (e.g. charity organisations)
  • virtual care platforms
  • remote monitoring services
  • integration and implementation of wearable health tech.

C3 Ways that policy affects individuals working in the health and social care sector through codes of practice

• Codes of practice for:
  • health professionals (e.g. doctors, nurses, midwives)
  • care workers in residential homes
  • social workers who support vulnerable individuals.
• Ways policy affects individuals, e.g.:
  • handwashing
  • providing treatment
  • using equipment
  • digital literacy requirements
  • ethical use of AI tools, such as using AI to provide comprehensive evidence-based clinical decision support to health professionals
  • telehealth consultation protocols
  • involving third parties for specific situations.

C4 Ways that policy affects individuals using health and social care

• Entitlement to services.
• Ability to gain access to services and barriers to access.
• Access to digital health services.
• Equity in telehealth.
• Data privacy concerns.
• Impact of climate-related health policies.
• Ability to have their needs met.
• Ability to respond to the ways that services are provided for them (e.g. complaints, refuse treatment).

Links to other units

The assessment for this unit will draw upon some of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills covered in:

• Unit 3: Promoting Public Health
• Unit 5: Enquiries into Current Research in Health and Social Care
• Unit 8: Sociological Perspectives
• Unit 11: Supporting Individuals with Additional Needs.