FdA Professional Practice in Special Educational Needs & Disability

Program Overview

The Professional Practice in Special Educational Needs & Disability program at Bishop Grosseteste University is designed for professionals working in SEND settings who seek career advancement. Through a blend of academic study and ongoing professional practice, participants enhance their knowledge, develop academic and professional skills, and prepare for leadership roles in SEND. The program emphasizes practical applications, research skills, and collaboration, equipping graduates for diverse career paths in the SEND sector.

Program Outline

Professional Practice in Special Educational Needs & Disability (Grantham) - Bishop Grosseteste University

Degree Overview:

• Target Audience: Individuals with experience working in the field of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) who want to develop their careers.
• Objectives:
• Enhance knowledge and understanding of SEND.
• Develop academic and professional skills.
• Prepare for potential leadership roles in SEND settings.
• Enhance career opportunities in the SEND sector.
• Description:
• This program enables professional development in the field of SEND through a combination of academic study and ongoing professional practice.
• Participants can complete the program while continuing their current work in educational settings, nurseries, residential care, or other settings related to SEND.
• Combines college-based learning and independent study with ongoing professional practice.

Outline:

• Program Content:
• Focus:
Knowledge and understanding of the complex relationships in educational settings involving learners with SEND and practitioner roles.
• Key areas:
• Meeting individual needs.
• Inter-agency working.
• Inclusion.
• Supporting learning, teaching, and assessment.
• Program Structure:
• Duration:
2 years
• Course Modules:
• Year 1:
• Tools for Learning in Higher Education and Work
• Understanding Others as Learners
• Understanding the Policy and Practice of SEND and Inclusion
• Identification and Assessment of Needs
• Meeting Individual Needs in SEND Practice
• Year 2:
• Working Collaboratively with Others in SEND
• Holistic Approaches to Well-being in SEND
• Individual Differences: Rhetoric and Reality
• International Dimensions in SEND
• Introduction to Practitioner Research in SEND
• Module Descriptions:

Assessment:

• Assessment methods:
• Essays
• Presentations
• Journals
• Portfolios
• Assessment criteria: Aligns with the learning outcomes of each module.

Teaching:

• Teaching methods:
• Lectures
• Small group work
• Independent study
• Tutorials (in-person and online)
• Faculty:
• Dr Tracy Jeffery
• Dr Julia Lindley-Baker
• Unique approaches:
• Emphasis on translating theoretical learning into practical applications.
• Focus on developing research skills relevant to professional practice.

Careers:

• Potential career paths:
• Teaching assistant
• Higher level or specialist learning support roles
• Leadership responsibilities in special education settings
• Residential/respite care
• Working with individuals and families in the public, voluntary, or independent sector
• Progression to a BA (Hons) SEND and Inclusion degree
• Postgraduate opportunities such as initial teacher training

Other:

• Entry requirements:
• Minimum one year of experience working with children, young people, or adults with SEND.
• Ongoing access to 12 hours of practice per week in a relevant role.
• Typically, a relevant Level 2 qualification in a cogent subject/vocational area.
• Support:
• Personal and academic support from staff throughout the program.
• Fees & Finance:
• Application process:
• Apply via UCAS using the relevant course code.
• Application fee: £27 for 2024 entry.