Social Care
This course is designed for people who want to attain the standards of proficiency for social care workers as defined by CORU.
| Award Name | Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 7 NFQ |
Duration
3 Years, with work Placements in Years 2 and 3.
Online/Marino Institute of Education (plus Work Placements in Years 2 and 3)
Entry Requirements
Course Entry Requirements
All potential applicants who are aged at least 23 years at time of application OR have successfully completed a FET (120 credits) /QQI Level 5 Certificate or Leaving Certificate* OR HET (60 credits)/QQI Level 6 Certificate.
All applicants must also satisfactorily pass an entry interview.
All applicants must be able to gain Garda clearance.
International Applicants whose first language is not English must provide appropriate documentary evidence of proficiency in English, i.e. Minimum CEFRL B2+ (=IELTS 6.0) or equivalent.
*Leaving Certificate applicants will require a grade O6/H7 in five subjects; these subjects must include Maths and English or Irish. (Foundation level mathematics will meet the minimum entry requirement where a grade F2 or higher is achieved.)
Please note the BA Social Care do not offer advanced entry pathways to Years 2 or 3 of the programme. Therefore the accreditation of prior or experiential learning will not be considered.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
All candidates must meet the requisite criteria of the Garda/Police Vetting process.
Students will be required to undergo Garda Vetting. Students must complete the required documentation, including a full list of all previous addresses, in order for clearance checks to be made. Currently Irish addresses are vetted by the Garda Vetting Bureau at no cost to the student.
Careers / Further progression
How Will the BA in Social Care Enhance My Career Prospects?
Successful completion of this course will allow you to apply to register as a social care worker with CORU. The registration board has been formed for Social Care and the consultation over the processes and mechanisms for registration as a social care worker are at an advanced stage.
See https://opentrainingcollege.com/career_prospects/
Further information
Start Date: September 2024
Welcome
70
FEES €5,296*
APPLICATION FEE €95
*The annual fee amount is inclusive of:
The Tuition Fees (€4,299) inc. 17 workshop/webinar days in Year 1
Administration/Online Subscription fee - €847
QQI Registration Fee - €150
A fees instalment plan is available where students may pay up to 8 instalments spread throughout the academic year.
Instalment plan available
Yes
Now open for applications for the September 2024 commencement. Places are limited, so please apply now to avoid disappointment.
An Informal Interviews/Information Day for Applicants will take place in person at Goatstown (tbc), Dubin, Friday, May 24th, 2024, from 10am - 4pm for the first tranche of applicants.
Applications for this course are accepted through our Online Application Centre. To apply for the degree, you will need to:
Satisfy the entry requirements for the programme
Provide a range of documents to support your application
Submit a personal statement explaining why you want to apply
Pay an application fee of €95
Course Aim
This course is designed for people who want to attain the standards of proficiency for social care workers as defined by CORU.
The learner will engage with 18 modules that explore social care practice and how it applies in various social care settings. Students will complete over 800 hours of supervised practice placement, in a social care setting. This qualification is designed to lead to social care registration subject to CORU approval.
Social Care Workers plan and provide professional care to vulnerable individuals and groups of all ages who experience marginalisation, disadvantage or special needs. As well as protecting and advocating for such individuals and groups, Social Care Workers professionally guide, challenge and support those entrusted to their care toward achieving their fullest potential.
(Social Care Ireland 2018)
Course Aim:
To equip students with the range of skills and knowledge to enable them fulfil the role of Social Care Worker across a variety of sectors within the broad social care field.
To embed the values of human rights, inclusiveness, empowerment, advocacy, social justice and person-centred services and supports so that graduates can bring these values to their work across the social care sector.
To ensure competence to practice as a skilled and professional Social Care worker in a variety of settings by provision of high quality practice placements
Course Objectives:
To equip students with the range of skills and knowledge to enable them fulfil the role of Social Care Worker across a variety of sectors within the broad social care field.
To embed the values of human rights, inclusiveness, empowerment, advocacy, social justice and person-centred services and supports so that graduates can bring these values to their work across the social care sector.
To ensure competence to practice as a skilled and professional Social Care worker in a variety of settings by provision of high quality practice placements
Course Learning Outcomes
The aim of the Level 7 B.A. in Social Care programme is to provide a qualification which is recognised nationally and internationally in the area of Social Care.
The programme aims to provide participants with in-depth key knowledge, skills and competencies based on the five domains and 80 standards of proficiency for social care workers as defined by CORU.
In addition, the programme aims to provide the student with the clear values of empowerment, advocacy, person-centredness, inclusion and social justice to support their practice in the future.
The programme will provide the student with two supervised practice placements in social care agencies that will measure the student’s understanding and application of the standards of proficiency in a real world setting.
The programme is designed to ensure that subject to CORU programme approval the student will be able to access registration.
The course content is based on:
Our expertise in the disability and broader social care area.
International best practice.
Current legislation and policy.
Ongoing feedback from course participants.
Input from graduates, professional bodies, regulatory bodies and service users.
This is reflected in the choice of learning objectives, course materials and the award winning approach that has been developed to deliver the course.
Year 1
The first year of this course introduces the novice learner to a broad understanding and the context of social care. Key values are explored along with the relevant legislation and policies. The student starts to develop their skills in the areas of communication and responding to challenging behaviour. In relation to practice, the student commences to develop their personal and professional boundaries and develop their autonomy and accountability as a social care worker.
YEAR 1 MODULES
Learning and Development in Higher Education (5 credits)
Introduction to Social Care (10 credits)
Contemporary Issues in Social Care (10 credits)
Legal and Policy Framework in Social Care 1 (10 credits)
Communication in Social Care (10 credits)
Creative Approaches to Social Care (10 credits)
Responding to Behaviours that Challenge (5 credits)
Year 2
Second year develops the understanding of the learner in social care and practice supported by a supervised practice placement. The student displays practice that is safe and effective and the ability to use theory in practice. Regular guidance and support is provided to the student through the supervision process with the practice educator.
YEAR 2 MODULES
Psychology and Human Development across the Lifespan (5 credits)
Collaborative Practice and Teamwork in Social Care (5 credits)
Legal and Policy Framework in Social Care 2 (10 credits)
Professional Development for Social Care (10 credits)
Social Care Assessment and Planning (10 credits)
Supervised Practice Placement 1 (20 credits) – CAPSTONE
Year 2 and Year 3 include a mandatory Work Placement element of 408 hours each year.
Year 3
The final year of the programme offers opportunity for the learner to acquire advanced social care knowledge and skills for their practice supported by a supervised practice placement. The student is skilled in the use of evidence-informed practise. They have integrated responsibility for their practice actions, engage in reflective practice, seeking assistance and advice when necessary. The student engages in supervision, where they demonstrate a growth in practice confidence and openness to Continuing Professional Development.
YEAR 3 MODULES
Wellbeing, Health and Behaviour (10 credits)
Social Research (10 credits)
Advocacy and Rights in Social Care (10 credits)
Quality Interventions in Social Care (10 credits)
Supervised Practice Placement 2 (20 credits) - CAPSTONE
How Will I Be Assessed?
The course is assessed through a combination of continuous assessments, projects and written examinations. Continuous assessments may consist of assignments (i.e. essays), project work, group activities, online activities, in-class assessments, reflection and placement.
Qualification
This course has been approved by CORU.
Successful completion of the 3-year course will lead to a BA in Social Care. This is a QQI approved major award at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
What supports are provided on the Social Care degree?
We Are All Part of a Learning Community
Dedicated tutor throughout
Online international award winning learning resources developed for online learning
Access to learning technologies such as a virtual environment.
Tools to support virtual learning and off campus learning
Online activities to support assessment.
Face to face lectures, seminars, tutorials.
Assessment submitted, marked and returned to learners with feedback through electronic or other media.
Supervised practice placement
Call: (+353 1)) 86 0756580 (Business hours 9am-5pm)
Mail: enquiries@opentrainingcollege.com