Health & Social Care

Places still available for January 2013, apply now.

All services offered to people with learning disabilities should be person-centred. This means that people with learning disabilities should be involved in issues which affect their lives, should expect services to be responsive to individual needs, and should have equal rights and opportunities in society.

Working as a learning disabilities nurse you have the opportunity to help people with learning disabilities live their lives in the way in which they choose and provide support and guidance with some of the everyday things that we might take for granted. You assist the person with learning disabilities with all aspects of their lives including health and social care, education, employment, leisure and recreation.

What you study

In Year 1 you focus on developing your knowledge and the core skills needed to meet the client's physical, emotional and safety needs. You explore the knowledge and skills relating to nursing care, compassion and communication. You also cover the individual's journey through the health and social care system and the principles of multidisciplinary care clinical decision making. Other topics include evidence-based practice, application of social and life sciences to patient care, the public health agenda, health care systems and organisational aspects of care, professional regulation, governance and ethics of practice.

In Years 2 and 3 you develop your understanding of learning disability nursing further. This includes the management of health and social care of people with learning disabilities. You explore the political and global influences upon health and social care and the quality, improvement and safety agendas and their impact upon client care. You also develop your personal effectiveness, leadership and management skills in theory and in practice.

How you learn

50% of the programme is spent in clinical practice and you gain experience in residential and community settings. These include schools for children with special educational needs, residential care for children and adults with learning disabilities, community assertive outreach services and specialist behavioural support services. You also have an opportunity to undertake an elective placement which may be national or international. University-based learning involves you in skills workshops and simulation, e-learning, key lectures, problem-based learning and group work. Support and constructive feedback are provided by both academic and practice mentors.

How you are assessed

Assessments include written assignments, examinations, case studies and presentations. You are also assessed in clinical practice through a portfolio of evidence each year.

Professional accreditation

On successful completion of the course you will be eligible to register with the Nursing and Midwifery Council on the nurses' part of the Professional Register (Learning Disability Nursing).

Career opportunities

A diverse range of career opportunities is available within the NHS and private sector in the UK and overseas. The course provides a stepping stone from which you can develop your expertise in the fields of clinical practice, leadership, research, education and consultancy.

Entry requirements

A typical offer is 240 tariff points from two or three A levels (or equivalent). You will also be interviewed. For further detailed entry requirements for this course please visit www.ucas.com.

You must also:

• have five GCSEs (grade C or above) including English language and mathematics or Key Skills Level 2 in Communication and Application of Number (or equivalent)
• show you have done relevant study within the last five years
• successfully complete a numeracy test (without a calculator) as part of the interview process
• complete a literacy exercise
• be aware you need to declare any convictions, cautions or allegations to the relevant professional body before you apply to register
• provide an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure
• be eligible for a Department of Health bursary (more information on the NHS Student Bursaries website).

Supporting information for applicants

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