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Undergraduate study
Health, Wellbeing and Social Support

Health, Wellbeing and Social Support FdSc

This foundation degree course is ideal if you are seeking a career working in health and social care, and want to learn in a practical way. The philosophy of the course is to produce graduates who have developed a comprehensive knowledge of care, the care sector, and concepts surrounding health and wellbeing.

 
 

Course overview

Developing underpinning knowledge, understanding, and skills for success/ enhancement in employment, future study or career advancement is also a feature of the course.

Professional and key transferable skills are embedded into the modules to enhance employability and facilitate lifelong learning and the majority of the academic team have industry experience to enhance and integrate professional skills. The concept of introduce, emphasise, advance is utilised with a focus on emphasising to encourage progressive learning and allows a gradual change in teaching strategies that decrease the degree of support needed, leading to independent learners.

Criticality is developed at this level with the opportunity to critically analyse and critically review current policy and practice which develops independent thinking skills.

Opportunity to continue development of higher-level academic skills as well as industry skills that are reflective of current best practices.

Academic research skills are also enhanced at this level with a focus on literature search strategy and the relevance of primary and secondary data.

This course is run by Redcar & Cleveland College in partnership with Teesside University and local health and social care employers.

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Where you study

The course is delivered at Redcar and Cleveland College where you attend two days a week.

 

Supporting information for applicants

Our School feedback policy (word - 278kb)
Our School reference policy (word - 276kb)

 

Course details

You develop an understanding of the theory underpinning care practice, which will enhance the quality of care you provide for your service users. The content of the curriculum is strongly influenced by the principles of wellbeing and prevention of ill-health, and the recognition that an individual, their family and/or carer must be enabled to make decisions about their own care.

Course structure

Year 1 core modules

Developing Effective Practice Using a Work-related Project

This module is 60-credits at level 4 and incorporates the work-based learning element of the programme. The idea with this module is that you should be able to demonstrate how the learning from the theory modules that you study, links to your practical work. You do this by demonstrating your achievement of the competencies detailed in the work-based portfolio.

The purpose of the work-based portfolio is to provide a framework for you to record and demonstrate progress and achievements during the first year of your Foundation Degree or your Certificate in Higher Education. You will also complete a work-related care study that is specific to your work role or area of interest.

Learning to Learn: An Introduction to Academic Study Skills

This module runs over three days in the first few weeks of the programme. You are introduced to the skills required for academic study including IT skills, academic writing, study habits, searching literature and using evidence.

Maintaining Safety for Vulnerable People and Staff in Care Settings

You examine legislation and national and local policy related to safety in the workplace and safeguarding of vulnerable individuals. You explore the importance of working in a safe environment, monitoring risks to the individual, including actual and potential harm and abuse, and reviewing health and safety in the workplace.

The Psychosocial Context of Care

Understand and apply psychosocial theories and factors influencing lifespan development and subsequent care needs. Explore psychosocial constructs such as family, culture, community, care needs, stereotyping, changing societal norms and values and the relevance to health and social policy and care. You examine data sources to explore the changing nature of the UK population, socio-economic influences on policy and service provision.

 

Year 2 core modules

Applying Effective Care Practice Using a Work-related Project

You expand your knowledge and skills to enhance the quality of care delivered. You develop as an independent learner being able to take a critical and analytical approach towards the integration of theory into practice; using an evidence-based approach within the immediate health and social care context of your role. Module content includes leadership, justifying the rationale and purpose of core skills involved in practice, critical analytical reflective practice/skills, effective decision-making, extending scope of practice, supervision and support of self and others, professional conduct and accountability, analysis of service improvement tools and techniques, and quality assurance measures and tools. Service user perspectives on care experiences are explored throughout.

Principles of Public Health and Wellbeing

You to explore health promotion and education for maintaining and enhancing health. You consider a range of influences through a variety of teaching and learning strategies.

Social Care and Support for Individuals with Specific Needs

The module aims to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the specific needs of service users and carers, and the support and services required to promote positive outcomes for individuals in health or social care. The module provides students with an opportunity to further develop knowledge and understanding of the needs of service users in a specific client group. Students will gain an overview of the range of support strategies, interventions and resources available for a variety of care needs.

Students will critically analyse how 'need' is defined and how perceptions are influenced and change over time. The health and social care/support needs of individuals will be investigated together with the way legislation, organisations and services can holistically support individuals and, where relevant, their informal carers in their daily lives.

Understanding Evidence-based Practice

This module introduces you to the process of research appraisal. You will also look at the benefits of evidence-based practice and current policy influencing the development and delivery of healthcare.

 

Modules offered may vary.

 

How you learn

You experience a range of different approaches to your learning from lectures, workshops, seminars (tutor and student-led), electronic learning, independent study, group work and individual tutorials.

How you are assessed

Assessments include formative assessments to help develop your academic skills as well as several forms of summative assessment including written assignments, presentations, reflective journal/continuing professional development, case studies.


Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services

Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs

 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Typical offer: 40-48 tariff points. A BTEC or Cache Level 3 qualification in health and social care, Access to Higher Education in an appropriate area such as health or science, or other related Level 3 qualifications or a GCE advanced level profile which demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject.

• Functional, or Key Skills Level 2 or GCSE Maths and English if not included in the above qualifications/previous qualifications.

• Related work experience is preferable but not essential

Applicants who meet the above criteria are invited to a selection interview at the college. Successful applicants will complete the University online enrolment, with support from staff at the college.

Acceptance for the course is conditional upon the following:

• Documented evidence of employer and practice supervisor support (where applicable).

• Successful enhanced DBS clearance for applicants.

Students wishing to join the course at year 2 would need to hold an appropriate Level 4 qualification.

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements


You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL

 

Employability

Work placement

You are required to complete 150 hours placement a year in a care setting environment.

Career opportunities

After successfully completing this course you can seek employment in the health and social care sector particularly management or associate practitioner roles. There is also opportunity for progression on to a part-time top-up degree course or access to relevant pre-registration health or social work programmes.

 
 

Full-time

Entry to 2024/25 academic year

Fee for UK applicants
£6,150 a year

More details about our fees


What is included in your tuition fee?

  • Length: 2 years
  • UCAS code: L510 FdSc/HWSS
  • Start date: September
  • Semester dates
  • Typical offer: 40-48 tariff points

Apply online (full-time) through UCAS

 

Part-time

  • Not available part-time
 

Choose Teesside

 
 

Service user and carer involvement

Service users and carers support all aspects of our students' lifecycle from recruitment to graduation.

Find out more

Get in touch

UK students

Email: shlsadmissions@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: 01642 738801


Online chat (general enquiries)

 

Open days and events

College DiscoverUni data (full-time)

Redcar & Cleveland College

 
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