Expand+Apply By September 11th, 2017 – for Direct Entry (OTC L.7)

Applications for this course are accepted through our online application centre. To apply for the degree, you will need to:

◾Satisfy the entry requirements for the programme
a...

Hide-Apply By September 11th, 2017 – for Direct Entry (OTC L.7)

Applications for this course are accepted through our online application centre. To apply for the degree, you will need to:

◾Satisfy the entry requirements for the programme
◾Provide a range of documents to support your application
◾Submit a personal statement explaining why you want to apply

What Supporting Documents Will I Need?

You will need to provide us with a range of documents as part of your application. These are:

◾Proof of identity. Common examples included scanned copies of a driving license or passport (for international applicants).

◾Employment Validation: Formal confirmation that you are working for more than 10 hours a week in a qualifying service is required. Please use the employer validation form we have provided for download below.

◾Volunteer Form: You will need to complete a Volunteer Form if you are currently working as a volunteer. This is available for download below.

◾Educational Transcripts: These are copies of previous educational achievements that confirm you satisfy the course entry requirements. They could, for example, include a copy of your leaving certificate or a scan of a level 5 certificate. It is particularly important that applicants wishing to transfer from another course, or be considered for Advanced Entry, provide transcripts confirming they have completed a Level 6/7 course worth at least 60 credits (NFQ) or more in Social Care or Social Studies within the last 10 years.

◾Personal Statement: This document essentially explains why you want to take the course and how you see it helping you achieve your professional and personal goals. You can learn more about it below and download a simple document that will help you write it.

◾International Applicants: International applicants are required to provide documentary evidence of proficiency in English and eligibility to study in Ireland before beginning an accredited course. A document explaining why it is necessary and what documents are required for a successful application can be found below.

What is a Personal Statement and Why is it Important?

A personal statement briefly describes:
◾Who you are
◾What you do
◾What you hope to achieve in your career on both a personal and professional level
◾How you think the course will help you achieve your goals

Personal statements are particularly important for us when assessing individual applications. We believe in selecting students not just based on their previous academic achievements but on how a particular educational programme can help them achieve their personal and professional goals. Personal statements help us understand why you want to take the course and if it is the right one for you.

Expand+Applicants must be 23 years at time of application and hold the Open Training College Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies qualification. All other applicants must hold a cognate* qualification). All applicants must be employed or volunteering ...

Hide-Applicants must be 23 years at time of application and hold the Open Training College Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies qualification. All other applicants must hold a cognate* qualification). All applicants must be employed or volunteering in a service for people with disabilities for at least 10 hours a week. International Applicants must provide appropriate documentary evidence of proficiency in English (e.g. IELTS 6.0).

People who want to take advantage of our advanced entry system, which allows you use previously gained academic qualifications to gain specific exemptions, must have completed a Level 6/7 cognate* qualification to 60 credits (NFQ) or more in Social Care or Social Studies within the last 10 years. Visit the advanced entry page to find out more process.

* A cognate qualification is one that is similar in nature, content and quality to the course being applied for.

Expand+This programme provides qualified Social Care Workers with the knowledge and skills to make substantive, positive changes to organisations in the pan disability sector. The one year, part time course will help you to become an advanced social care pr...

Hide-This programme provides qualified Social Care Workers with the knowledge and skills to make substantive, positive changes to organisations in the pan disability sector. The one year, part time course will help you to become an advanced social care practitioner and drive the development and delivery of quality, rights driven services to people with disability.

It also satisfies the educational requirements for anyone looking to pursue postgraduate studies in the disability and broader social care field.

The Degree Is Specifically Designed for People Working In The Disability Sector

The course is exclusively aimed at people working in disability services. It was created by people with extensive first-line experience who fully understand the area and the problems that come with attempting to balance work, life and learning when you work in it.

It Is Entirely Practical
It is an applied programme dealing with real world challenges. The choice of course materials is determined by the needs of people employed in the sector. They are dealt with from the perspective of someone working in the disability arena and their relevance/quality is determined by the ways in which they can be applied to, and improve, everyday practice.

Similarly, our assignments tackle issues that you are likely to face in the workplace. While you are completing these you will have access to our expert tutors and a community of people who are almost certainly trying to deal with the same issues. As such, successfully completing the course will provide you with a unique opportunity to address real-world challenges and improve the quality of service your organisation delivers.

The College is at the Heart of the Sector
We work in partnership with over 180 organisations from the human services and non-profit sector. Together we ensure that the Bachelor of Arts in Professional Social Care (Disability) always reflects:

◾The current regulatory and public policy environment (including HIQA, New Directions and the challenges posed by the new Assisted Decision Making legislation)

◾The issues driving the sector, and

◾Contemporary best practices for managing them

We are a Student-Centred College
The degree is designed to accommodate the pressures and responsibilities that you face. Its mixture of workshops, tutorials and online learning will allow you to balance your work, life and college commitments. Remember; our active learning community (made up of students, tutors and learning support staff) is always there to support you as you learn.

The course content is based on:
◾Our expertise in the disability and broader social care area
◾International best practice
◾Current legislation and policy
◾Ongoing feedback from course participants
◾Input from graduates, professional bodies, regulatory bodies and service users

This is reflected in the choice of learning objectives, course materials and the award winning approach that has been developed to deliver the course.

Learning Objectives

Delivered over a single year, after completing the course you will:

◾Possess a detailed understanding of how the social studies discipline conceptualises issues surrounding the provision of health and social care services, with a particular emphasis on how people with a disability are addressed

◾Be able to use professional social care skills and tools to undertake social care practices with a particular emphasis on working with people with a disability

◾Be able to select, plan and design strategies that deliver quality individualized services in a variety of human service contexts

◾Possess the advanced skills required to undertake social care activities and accept accountability for all related decision making

◾Be capable of applying diagnostic and creative skills in a range of human service contexts

◾Be able to act effectively under guidance in a peer relationship with qualified health and social care service practitioners

◾Have the knowledge and skills to lead multiple, complex and heterogeneous groups (including families and community groups and associations) in the provision of quality services

◾Possess the ability to adapt to a variety of familiar and unfamiliar health and social care service contexts

◾Know how to manage learning tasks in an independent, professional, ethical manner

◾Be able to articulate a clearly defined world view on social care issues as they relate to people in receipt of health and social care services with a focus on people with a disability

Expand+The course is made up of five modules.

Applied Research Methods
◾What is Social Research?
◾Approaches to Research: Qualitative & Quantitative Strategies
◾Ethical Considerations within the Research Process: Essential Principles...

Hide-The course is made up of five modules.

Applied Research Methods
◾What is Social Research?
◾Approaches to Research: Qualitative & Quantitative Strategies
◾Ethical Considerations within the Research Process: Essential Principles for Researchers within the Social Care Profession
◾Working with the Literature: Conducting a Quality Literature Review
◾The Process of Sampling: Selecting People to Take Part in your Research
◾The Qualitative Approach to Social Research: Collecting & Analysing Data
◾Quantitative Approaches to Social Research: Collecting and Analysing Quantitative Data
◾Action Research in Human Services

Comparative Social Policy
◾Understanding Comparative Social Policy
◾Social Policy: an International Comparative Perspective
◾Social Policy & Human Rights Law
◾Participation of People with Disabilities in Policy Making

Disability in the Context of Social Equality & Inclusion
◾Disability & Equality: Contexts & Dimensions
◾Ideology & Disability
◾Disability & Cultural Representation: A Critical Introduction including the representation of disability in the media
◾From Theory to Practice in the Field of Disability

Supporting Individualised Living and Alternative Services
◾Advanced theories associated with individualised social care
◾Critical problem solving in the development and managing of individualised services
◾Manage priorities for the partnership between the service user and the service
◾Key policies, standards and rights that underpin individualised services
◾Reflect on the skills needed to be a key change agent to drive individualised and alternative services

Contemporary Issues in Social Care: Mental Health, Elderly Care, Children
◾Critically examine the fundamental and advanced theories, concepts and principles associated with advanced social care
◾Interpret the role of social care in positively influencing a person’s path in life
◾Techniques in the analysis and interpretation of information, in line with ethical and regulatory standards
◾Appraise and evaluate the strategic impact of decisions on the three democratic groups

Expand+The course is assessed through a combination of assignments, online activities, written examinations and assessment research project.

It is an applied course so you must be working at least 10 hours per week in a appropriate work environment.

P...

Hide-The course is assessed through a combination of assignments, online activities, written examinations and assessment research project.

It is an applied course so you must be working at least 10 hours per week in a appropriate work environment.

Promoting best practice in services is integral to the College’s mission. As part of this, we place particular importance on encouraging students to apply what they are learning – as they are learning – in their professional environment the application of course learning to the everyday work and experience of the student. Therefore, our learning materials, workshops and assessments are practical in nature. A significant proportion of assessment marks, for example, are allocated to applying what you learn in real world settings.

Expand+Holding the Level 8 qualification can significantly enhance your promotion prospects. Past graduates have been promoted to a variety of roles including social care leaders, person in charge, service managers and area directors. A number of them have ...

Hide-Holding the Level 8 qualification can significantly enhance your promotion prospects. Past graduates have been promoted to a variety of roles including social care leaders, person in charge, service managers and area directors. A number of them have used the qualification as a basis to create new innovative services.

Other graduates have specialised in areas of interest including supporting people within the autistic spectrum, positive behaviour supports, supported employment and quality inspections of disability services.Successful completion of this course is also essential for

Successful completion of this course is also essential for post-graduate study. Past graduates have gone on to a variety of postgraduate courses in areas including training and education, social work, advanced social care, mental health, community studies and addiction studies.

Opening Up Other Career & Educational Opportunities
Once you have successfully completed the course you will be eligible to apply for relevant postgraduate courses, e.g. Masters Degree in Disability Studies (Trinity College Dublin) or Masters in Advanced Social Care Practice (Athlone Institute of Technology) both at Level 9 (NFQ).