Health & Social Care, FdA Degree Course

Program Overview

This two-year Health and Social Care program equips students with knowledge and skills for roles in the health and social care sector. It addresses professional development needs, bridges theory and practice, and offers practical experience through work placements. Graduates have pursued careers in youth justice systems, hospitals, and social services, with 97% securing employment or further studies in 2019.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This is a two-year FdA Health and Social Care program designed for individuals working or intending to work in the health and social care sector. The program aims to equip students with relevant knowledge and skills, address their continuing professional development needs, and bridge the gap between theory and practice. It combines courses in health, social care, and mental health to meet the skills required by the growing health and social care market.

Objectives:

• Equip students with relevant knowledge and skills for working in health and social care.
• Address continuing professional development needs.
• Bridge the gap between theory and practice.
• Develop a range of work-based skills through practice placement modules.

Outline:

It emphasizes partnership working with clients, carers, and families, and the importance of personal values and attributes for proactive practice.

• Introduction to Anatomy, Physiology and Psychology of Health: This module develops knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the body and how it is affected by illness, disease, and injury.
It also explores health and well-being from a medical and bio-psychosocial approach.
• Study & Lifelong Learning Skills: This module encourages reflection and learning from experiences within studies, promoting independent and group working skills, and effective information presentation.
• Communication and Collaboration: This module examines the importance of interpersonal skills and collaborative working within health and social care settings, enhancing communication skills and preparing students for collaborative work.
• Foundations for Practice: This module develops skills and knowledge in a health and social care setting, focusing on teamwork, problem-solving, and reflection on experience.

Year 2:

Compulsory Modules:

• Innovation and Leadership in Health and Social Care: This module supports students in developing managerial and leadership roles within the health or social care sector.
• Health Promotion: This module evaluates and analyzes the role of health and social care workers in promoting health within various contexts.
It explores policy relating to public health and the changing contexts of health and social care delivery.
• Supporting Professional Practice: This module develops skills and knowledge related to health and social care provision in work settings or placements, applying evidence-based skills in professional practice and reflecting on experience to enhance practice and support academic development.
• Evidence Based Practice: This module develops skills in using research of a topic from the professional discipline as a basis for future action.

Optional Modules:

• Rehabilitation Practice: This module prepares students to support adults and children requiring facilitation of function, including supporting clients to maximize independence within a rehabilitation program and communicating with multi-professional and multi-agency teams.
• Management of Mental Health Across the Lifespan: This module focuses on key components of mental health assessment, diagnosis, and management.

Teaching:

Teaching and learning strategies include:

• Formal lectures
• Seminars
• Group activities
• Project work
• Private independent study
• Work-based learning

Unique Approaches:

• Simulated learning experience is provided for health students within contemporary skills laboratories, including a community flat and counselling and consultation rooms.
• Opportunity for international travel and work experience, including volunteering in countries such as Zambia and Kenya.

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• Youth justice systems
• NHS trusts
• Private hospitals
• Children's services
• Social services
• Family centres
• Children's homes

Opportunities:

• Placement opportunities allow students to apply their skills and knowledge in an area of practice that interests them, providing a firm basis for their future career.
• Past students have secured jobs as a direct result of their placement performance.
• Students have been placed in mental health and hospice care environments.
• Students have worked with SEN children in schools, roles with organizations such as the Samaritans, and work with the homeless.

Outcomes:

• In 2019, 97% of the course went on to employment or further studies.

Other:

• The program is based in the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
• The program is constantly updated and developed in response to the Knowledge Skills Framework (KSF) and the NHS Knowledge and Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education frameworks.
• Students will meet the requirements of a range of professional codes of conduct, focusing on treating patients as individuals and ensuring their own professional skills are up-to-date.
• Students have the opportunity to hear about the experiences of service users, carers, patients, and public members via community engagement and service user support groups (Comensus).

2024/25

UK

Full-time: £9,250 per year Part-time: £975 per 20 credits

International

Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs.