Intellectual Disability Practice
This course is aimed at people working in disability services. This programme is designed to address the needs of frontline staff (Care Worker, Healthcare Assistant, Family Support Worker, Home Support Worker, Personal Assistant and Community Care Worker) working in services for people with Intellectual Disability in Ireland.
| Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
1 year. Online.
Entry Requirements
You can apply for this course if you:
- Work at least part time in a disability service or as an SNA in a school; or
- Volunteer for at least 2-4 hours per week in a similar service
If you do not fall into these categories but are interested in the course, please contact us either using the form at the bottom of the course webpage or calling Conor on 086 0756580 (Business hours 9am-5pm).
Careers / Further progression
Having a relevant QQI Level 5 qualification is a basic requirement to access work as a care assistant, SNA, health care assistant or social care assistant in a large number of organisations. If you are working already in a service that is HIQA regulated, a Level 5 qualification is now seen as an essential requirement and this is something that is not going to change.
The certificate itself serves as a perfect gateway to the kinds of higher qualifications you’ll need if you want to progress your career. We see it, for example, as the ideal first step for people who want to become registered as a Social Care Worker. Taking the certificate will test your ability to both learn and handle the commitments of undertaking a college programme. The importance of this cannot be overstated particularly for adult learners.
On a more personal level the course will help you deliver professional person-centred services which can only enhance the quality of life of the people you support.
Further Progression
After successfully completing the certificate you will be eligible to apply for our CORU approved Level 7 BA in Social Care degree course, successful completion of which may allow you apply to register as a Social Care Worker.
Further information
Online
Application Fee €95
€1,800 includes Protection of Enrolled Learners (PEL) insurance.
Fees can be paid by Instalment plan.
Group discounts are available.
Autumn 2024, dates to be decided.
Having a relevant QQI Level 5 qualification is a basic requirement to access work as a Care Assistant, SNA, Key Worker, Personal Assistant or Community Support Worker in a large number of organisations.
If you are already working in a service that is HIQA regulated, a Level 5 qualification is increasingly becoming a requirement.
The certificate will provide you with the knowledge and practical skills required to apply for a healthcare assistant job and deliver person centred services to people with intellectual disability. During it you will study:
- What a person centred approach is
- Where it comes from
- How to use it
- Its impact on practitioners and service provision
- The opportunities and benefits it offers services users
Learning Objectives
After completing the certificate you will:
- Understand what ‘intellectual disability’ is
- Appreciate the tasks that need to be performed if you want to empower persons with an intellectual disability to make positive life and lifestyle choices
- Understand the issues practitioners face when facilitating a person to live an independent life in the community
- Have the knowledge and skills to actively support persons with an intellectual disability in the different phases of their lives
- Be able to meaningfully contribute to developing strategies that will them develop a range of functional skills that can be used in their daily life
- Possess the knowledge and skills to enable persons with an intellectual disability cultivate socially valued roles and relationships
- Understand how you can make a difference to people lives by improving service quality
The certificate is made up of ‘core’ and ‘elective’ modules.
The six core modules are mandatory and have to be completed by everyone.
1. Intellectual Disability Studies (5N1652 - 15 Credits)
2. Facilitating Learning (5N1753 - 15 Credits)
3. Empowering the Individual (5N1749 - 15 Credits)
4. Community Inclusion (5N1740 - 15 Credits)
5. Personal Effectiveness (5N1390 - 15 Credits0
6. Work Practice (5N1433 - 15 Credits)
The electives are designed to allow people ‘customise’ the course to better meet their personal, professional or career needs. This involves choosing two of the elective modules that most closely match your precise needs:
• Person-Centred Focus to Disability (5N1728 - 15 Credits)
• Challenging Behaviour (5N1706 - 15 Credits)
• Sexuality and Intellectual Disability (5N1707 - 15 Credits)
• Supported Employment (5N1704 - 15 Credits)
• Using Lámh in a Total Communication Approach (5N713 and 5N1731 - 30 Credits combined)
The course will be assessed through various methods, including:
• written assignments,
• learner records (reflection on your practice and identifying learning),
• skills demonstrations (for example, teaching a skill and delivering a presentation),
• portfolios, and
• one exam.
An Open Training College Tutor and a designated person within the organisation will support participants.
5M1761
The College is currently conducting a pilot of this new course for the disability sector.
Please read on via the course webpage link above about this exciting online course. If you are interested, please fill out the form at the end of the page and we will add you to the enquiry list, and contact you when the next roll out is scheduled closer to Autumn 2024.
Contact Conor Murray:
by phone on 086 0756580 (Business hours 9am-5pm)
or by email: cmurray@opentrainingcollege.com