Health and Social Care Practice FdA

Program Overview

This two-year Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care Practice from the University of Bedfordshire builds on existing experience to expand career horizons. Focused on key aspects of health and social care with a vocational approach, it equips students with practical and theoretical knowledge through assessments linked to practice and employer engagement. Students learn about laws, ethics, global health, evidence-based practice, and effective teamwork, preparing them for various roles in the health and social care sectors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This Foundation degree in Health and Social Care Practice is designed for individuals already working or volunteering in the health and social care sector. It aims to build upon existing experience and expand career horizons. The program provides a thorough grounding in key aspects of health and social care with a strong vocational focus.

Objectives:

• Develop understanding and skills in health and social care.
• Interact with potential employers through guest lectures.
• Gain opportunities to visit health and social care workplaces.
• Benefit from the University of Bedfordshire's Health & Social Care Academy.

Outline:

The two-year course includes units on:

• Practice skills: This unit focuses on developing a range of skills, values, and ethical considerations for working with vulnerable individuals and those from diverse backgrounds.
It covers topics like organizational cultures, managing oneself and responsibilities, communication, and leadership.
• Law, Society, and Controversy: This unit provides an introduction to the legal system, its institutions, and practices in the UK and internationally.
It examines the impact of law on society and explores current controversies related to key legal issues and cases.
• Introduction to Health and Social Care: This unit explores the history of health and social care services in the UK, different models of care, and the skills, values, and ethical issues involved in working with vulnerable service users.
• Introduction to Academic Study and Work-Based Learning in Health and Social Care: This unit introduces students to academic study in higher education, workplace research and problem-solving, and theory within health and social care practice.
It also helps students develop essential academic skills like accessing and evaluating literature and writing for different audiences.
• Global Public Health: This unit examines global health inequalities and explores the determinants of health at a global level, including social, environmental, political, and economic factors.
It also covers international health policies and organizations, and equips students with social marketing skills for promoting public health messages.
• Managing and Applied Experience Within a Work-Based Learning Environment: This unit allows students to utilize their current work experience to make theoretical links and place their practice within a wider legal and policy framework.
It covers topics like recruitment, career development, communication, conflict, and teamwork.
• Evidence-Based Health and Social Care Practice: This unit explores the relationship between research and evidence-based practice in health and social care settings.
It covers topics like organizational change, evidence-based approaches, and practitioner research.
• Multi-Agency Working in Mental Health: This unit examines multi-agency arrangements and interdisciplinary team working in the delivery of human services.
It covers topics like the role of mental health professions, social patterning of mental illness, treatment and recovery, and the experiences of sufferers of mental illness.

Assessment:

Assessments are closely aligned with course learning outcomes and graduate impact statements. They include a range of methods such as:

• Action plans
• Reports
• Case studies
• Posters
• Portfolios
• Self-reviews
• Oral presentations
• Closed book examinations
Assessments also develop key skills needed for working in health and social care settings, such as communication, self-appraisal, and teamwork.

Teaching:

The program encourages active learning and applies theory to practice by tackling real-life work problems. Students benefit from:

• Guided learning via the Virtual Learning Environment, which includes directed reading and research, podcasts, and interactive activities.
• Opportunities offered by the University of Bedfordshire's Health & Social Care Academy.
• Interaction with potential employers through guest lectures.

Careers:

This Foundation degree prepares students for a variety of roles within the wider Health and Social Care sectors, including:

• Direct work with service users in areas such as children and families, drug and alcohol misuse, mental health services, and services for older and disabled people.
• Work in other areas of the human services, such as health promotion/public health, welfare, and community development.
Students are encouraged to engage with career development and progression opportunities with their employers.

Other:

• The course has the option to be taken over four years, including a year placement in industry.