FdA Social Care
About This Course
Social Care workers play a pivotal role in the support and care of vulnerable children and adults within a rapidly changing society. There has never been a more poignant time for those wishing to develop a career within the social care sector, or for those who already work within the sector, to undertake study which will provide them with the essential skills, knowledge and practice experience to gain formal qualifications in Social Care.
The current pandemic has notably had a detrimental impact upon the social care workforce and our communities. A significant increase in referrals and accessing services has identified the importance of the social care sector and its workforce as pivotal components in the promotion of societal health, wellbeing and Care delivery.
The FdA Social Care programme aims to equip students with knowledge surrounding contemporary issues within social care, interventions utilised and the importance of care delivery. The work-based learning element will allow students to gain practical experience within sector, with opportunities to upskill and continuously progress during their learning journey, establishing links between theory and practice during study and within future employment.
On completion of the programme a graduate will be able to:
• Promote the rights, strengths and wellbeing of people, families and communities;
• Establish and maintain the trust and confidence of people;
• Be accountable for the quality of their practice and the decisions they make within legal and policy frameworks;
• Recognise the importance of continual engagement with critical professional development;
• Act safely, respectfully and with professional integrity within anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice;
• Work within ethical practice, promote concerns and act within professional standards/codes of practice.
The general aims of the programme are to:
– Provide a programme of study for those who currently work, or for those wanting a career within, the social care or mental health sector;
– Equip students with the theoretical knowledge, professional conduct competencies and practice skills necessary to work with service users across different social care settings;
– Develop reflective practitioners who are ‘fit for practice’ to safeguard the health and well-being of individuals with social care and/or mental health needs;
– Enable progression onto a professional qualification;
– Work based practice placement of 200 hours.
Standard offer
Applicants will require 80 UCAS points in a related subject, or 60 Access-to-HE Credits (of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3). Applicants are required to hold English and Maths GCSE (or equivalent) at Grade C/4.
Non-standard offer
Non-standard entry is intended to support students who may not meet the standard academic entry requirements of a HE programme, normally level 3 qualifications which attract UCAS points (for instance A-levels or BTEC level 3 courses). An applicant must be able to demonstrate recent work/experience in the relevant sector which would give them skills and knowledge comparable to applicants with Level 3 qualifications.
All such non-standard applicants will be interviewed, set an appropriate piece of work and a judgement made considering their academic potential and relevant work/experience. All applicants must provide evidence of GCSE Maths or English at Grade C/4 or equivalent.
At level 4 students will be required to complete 6 core modules to gain 120 credits.
These are:
• Developing Professional Skills (WBL)
• Study Skills & Research in Social Care
• Understanding Society
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Practice
• Theories & Models of Social Care
• Developmental Psychology – The Early Years
At level 5 students will be required to complete 6 core modules to gain 120 credits. These are:
• Professional Practice (WBL)
• Working with Vulnerable People
• Contemporary Issues in Social Care
• Solution Focused Practice
• Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan
• Research Methods
This programme is primarily designed for face to face teaching. However, there may be periods of study were the government advises TEC Partnership that it is not safe to open campuses or limited access due to social distancing measures.
Each trimester consists of eight weeks of module delivery. Trimester 1 has an extra week in which students are prepared for study at the new level.
At level 4 students are supported to develop their academic skills through a research and study skills module which will enable them to be able to complete their assessments to the correct level of academic requirements. Essay and Report writing, presentations using ICT, reflective writing, undertaking secondary research and presenting structured arguments and Harvard referencing will be introduced and assessed. At this level, basic principles of all the concepts within these modules are taught so these can be built upon as they progress to higher levels.
At level 5 students are supported to build upon the academic skills gained at level 4 with a stronger focus on independent research, developing skills further in critical thinking and writing. Constructing critical arguments and using wider source material to support their work. Module assessment will be varied to develop and test the students' academic, problem solving and practice skills at the required level.
Placement opportunities will provide students opportunities to link theory to practice, promoting both personal and professional growth.
On completing the foundation degree students are qualified to Level 5, and are ready to enter the work force in a variety of social care settings within the private, public or third sector in roles such as support workers, mentors, children’s residential worker, family support worker or community/outreach workers.
Students studying on the programme can progress onto further study to complete a Top up in Health & Social Care or Childhood and Youth Studies within the University Centre. Upon completion of the programme students could also apply to other HE providers to undertake a Social Work or Social Science degree.
