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 and Stockton Riverside College in partnership with Teesside University and local health and social care employers.
Where you study
This course is delivered at Redcar & Cleveland College and Stockton Riverside College where you attend two days a week.
Supporting information for applicants
Course details
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
Develop knowledge and skills to promote care practices that support the best outcomes for service users. Reflect on the support and care provided for a range of typical client groups to ensure effective care practice is maintained.
Introduction to Medicines Management
You are introduced to the principles underpinning the management and administration of medicines in health and social care settings. Learn about the theoretical framework and policy/legislation framework and gain an understanding of ethical concepts, societal responsibilities, and the relevance of causality in medicines management, and its impact on health. Develop knowledge of ordering, storage, administration and disposal of medication, and gain an introduction to pharmacology, adverse drug reactions/side effects, and the avoidance and management of medication errors.
Introduction to Study Skills in Health and Social Care
Gain an introduction to the required study skills, such as organisation, planning, time management, self-reflection, academic writing skills, using feedback effectively, and the relevance of validity, credibility and reliability when carrying out research. Learn to research effectively using a range of sources and reference appropriately. Complete a self-analysis of your current academic and professional skills in health and social care and develop the skills to read, write and research at a university level.
Reflective Practice in Health and Social Care
Develop your skills through reflective activities in health and social care practice. This flexible module meets the interests and needs of a range of students. Cover content such as reflective practice, models of reflection and professional development. Develop your professional conduct in the health and social care workplace.
Safeguarding of Vulnerable Individuals
Develop your knowledge of safeguarding children and young people. Examine legislation, and national and local policies related to safeguarding. Learn about the risk indicators of abuse, types of abuse and monitoring risks to the individual.
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
Concepts and Practice in Health and Social Care
Further develop your knowledge and skills in relation to codes of conduct and professional practice. This module is designed to support those working in a health or social care setting. Gain knowledge and understanding of legislation, codes of conduct/practice and policies, and the principles involved in health or social care related policy development. Explore the Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection requirements, the Nursing Midwifery Council code of conduct, the Code of Conduct for Healthcare Support Workers and Adult Social Care Workers in England and the Code of Practice for Social Care Workers are also developed. Examine how the quality of care is delivered, with a focus on promoting equality and diversity, balancing individual needs with responsibilities to wider society, and ensuring consent and confidentiality.
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.
Professional Development and Employability in Health and Social Care
Develop your skills through professional development and employability activities. Explore topics such as CV writing, the application process, models of employability and reflective practice. Develop your professional conduct in the health and social care workplace. You must engage in professional development and employability activities to gain a total of 70 points. Activities include recognised professional body courses, shadowing professionals, and non-certificated courses, amongst others.
Service Improvement in Health and Social Care
Gain knowledge and understanding of service improvement in health and social care. Develop your ability to prepare and plan for service improvement in relation to improving the service user experience and organisational efficiency. The topic for the service improvement initiative is agreed with the module tutor.
Supporting Individuals with Specific Needs
Develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of specific needs and support for individuals who use health and social care services. Gain evaluative skills by exploring the effectiveness of support and services in relation to service user needs.
Understanding Research in Health and Social Care
Research a negotiated topic area relevant to health and social care and further develop your knowledge and skills to produce a literature review. Gain an appreciation of the importance of research, and an understanding of research design, how this links to the aims and objectives of research, and ethical considerations in health and social care.
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.
Because this course is taught at Redcar & Cleveland College and Stockton Riverside College, we are not accepting applications from international students requiring a Student Visa.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements.
We cannot accept applications from international students requiring a student visa.
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.
