Course overview
This is a one-year course run by Redcar & Cleveland College and Stockton Riverside College in partnership with Teesside University and local health and social care employers.
The philosophy of the course is to develop a comprehensive knowledge of care, the care sector and concepts surrounding health and wellbeing. 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 emphasise to encourage progressive learning and allows a gradual change in teaching strategies that decrease the degree of support needed, leading to independent learners.
Opportunity to continue development of higher-level academic skills as well as industry skills that are reflective of current best practice.
Academic research skills are also enhanced at this level with a focus on literature search strategy and the relevance of primary and secondary data.
There is significant vocational focus to the course and a range of work experiences and/or placement settings are available to you for development of learning in practice, such as working with older people, children and adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health issues and substance misuse issues.
Where you study
The course is delivered at Redcar & Cleveland College and Stockton Riverside College where you attend two days a week. You also will need to complete 100 hours placement in a Health and social care setting.
Supporting information for applicants
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Course details
You develop an understanding of the theory underpinning care practice, which will enhance the quality of care you provide for your clients either in work or on placement. 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 regarding their own care.
You study a module at the beginning of the course, which develops your study skills and provides an introduction to learning at higher education level, as well as modules relating to theory and practice, such as Safeguarding and Health and Safety, Developing Effective Care Practice and Psychosocial Context of Care.
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
An Introduction to Study Skills in Health and Social Care
Contemporary Care Practice
Introduction to Management and Administration of Medicines
Reflective Practice in Health and Social Care
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
The Psychosocial Context of Care
You gain an understanding of key theoretical concepts from psychology and sociology that pertain to lifespan development, wellbeing and life chances. You explore psychosocial constructs including family, culture, community, deviance, changing societal norms and values and the relevance to social policy and social care. You examine sources of data to explore the changing nature of the UK population, socio-economic influence on life chances and the influence of these on policy and service provision. You analyse historical development of service provision and contemporary social and health policy and apply it to social care provision.
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) and electronic learning to 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 assignments, examinations, presentations, portfolio work, case studies, workbooks and projects.
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
Call us on 01642 738400 about our entry requirements
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 100 hours placement in a Health and social care setting environment
Career opportunities
On successful completion of the course you can apply to the second year of the FdSc Health, Wellbeing and Social Support or seek employment in social care. There may also be an opportunity to access relevant pre-registration health or social work higher education programmes. The course may lead to eligibility for professional registration.
