B.A. (Ord) in Applied Social Studies (Disability)

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1 B.A. (Ord) in Applied Social Studies (Disability) LEADING EXCELLENT PRACTICE IN SOCIAL CARE Follow us on: twitter.com/myotc Like us on: facebook.com/theopentrainingcollege ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL TRAINING FOR STAFF (DISABILITY SECTOR) 2015/2016

2 Leading Excellent Practice in Social Care Studying with the Open Training College About The Course The B.A. in Applied Social Studies (Disability) is a 3-year professional development programme for people working in the disability and social care sector. It provides participants with the social care skills required to deliver effective person centred services. provision and the critical role of the person centred approach to it This involves: Developing a range of communication skills, training techniques and professional practices to ensure optimal service provision Developing a detailed understanding of disability service Acquiring the knowledge, skills and competencies needed to implement a person centred approach to supporting service users Audience Disability service professionals, people interested in a career within disability services Duration 3 Years Award B.A. (Ord) Degree Award Type QQI Major Award NFQ Level 7, 180 credits Fees 3,080 (Year 1) Having worked within the Social Care field for many years I am finally working towards my degree and the Open Training College is making this a very rewarding experience. Michelle Coe, St. Christopher s Service, graduated 2013 Please Note Students may be entitled to 20% tax relief on their fees. Fees instalment payment plans are available.

3 Key Features Sector-Specific Practical Student Centred The course is exclusively aimed at people working in disability services. It was put together 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. It is an applied programme dealing with real world challenges. The course material is determined by the needs of people employed in the sector and deals with social care issues specific to the disability and human services sector. This makes it easier to apply what you learn in your everyday practice. Similarly, our assignments address issues that you are likely to face in the workplace. Completing the course will provide you with the opportunity to address these in an environment where you have access to experts and people dealing with the same issues. The course 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. Relevant Accredited We work in partnership with over 120 organisations from t h e h u m a n s e r v i c e s a n d n o n - p rofi t s e c to r. To g e t h e r w e ensure that the B.A.(Ord) in Applied Social Studies (Disability) always reflects the: Current regulatory and public policy environment, for example, HIQA regulation and New Directions Challenges driving the sector Contemporary best practices for managing them The B.A. (Ord) in Applied Social Studies (Disability) is a Level 7 Award on the National Framework of Qualifications. The programme is accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). It is also designed to support continuing professional development. Successful completion will satisfy, for example, the entry requirements for the B.A.(Hons) in Applied Social Studies (Disability) Level 8 award. I think I would award an A1 grade to the Open Training College because it has enabled me to make an impact on the ground within my disability service. The application of learning is key to allowing change to take place on the ground. Don Campbell, Irish Wheelchair Association, graduated 2011

4 Content Relevance Learning Objectives The course content is drawn from three sources: After successfully completing the course you will be able to: Our expertise in the disability and broader social Discuss and critically analyse the evolution, care area Input from people who use services, employers, development and current state of the Irish social care and disability sector professional bodies and regulatory authorities on staff training requirements Describe, in detail, the social policy and legislative Ongoing feedback from course participants Analyse the legislative and social policy framework This is reflected in the choice of learning objectives, course content and the award winning Supported Open Learning (SOL) approach that has been developed to deliver the course. context in which disability services operate governing the social care profession Critically evaluate the use of quality systems in the disability and broader social care sector Explain where the person centred approach fits within the Irish disability services environment and discuss what it offers service users Use a person centred approach to providing services that deliver greater empowerment and better quality of service for individuals Support service users through a range of life experiences and events Use a range of communications skills, training techniques and professional practices to ensure optimal service provision

5 Structure Year One: Modules Exploring Disability Social Policy & Legislation I Professional Practice & Ethics Effective Communication & People Skills Focus on the Individual: Person Centred Planning Year Two: Modules Empowerment & Advocacy Community Networking Learning Theories & Teaching Strategies Supporting Independent Living Total Quality Management Year Three: Modules Research Methods Exploration of Self, Relationships & Sexuality Social Policy & Legislation II Learning Together with the OTC The course uses a blended approach. Each module combines online learning, tutorials (telephone, online, virtual) and face to face workshops. Learning materials are explicitly designed to accommodate the pressures that come with trying to balance work, life and learning. They make it possible to build study time around your work schedule. Regular online tutorials will expand your knowledge of the topic and answer any questions you have as you study. Each workshop focuses on how the module topic is impacting the sector, will deepen your understanding of the subject matter and help you apply it in your working practice. Underpinning all of this is our learning community. This is made up of tutors who have extensive first-line experience, learning support staff who understand the human challenges people can face when attending college and our students who are defined by their commitment to supporting each other. We believe this creates a learning experience that is unique to the Open Training College, one that meets the specific requirements of people working in our sector and improves the quality of service our users receive. Learning Through Open Learning Materials Online Database Library/Key Links Life Stages, Development & Transition Elective Modules Supporting People within the Autistic Spectrum Supporting People in Mainstream Work Supporting People Labelled as Challenging Practical Assignments Workshops/ Seminars Supporting People with Mental Health Needs Supported by Telephone/ / Online Tutorials Assignment Feedback Extensive Online Learning Supports Help Desk Workplace Support The OTC Supported Open Learning Model

6 The Learning Experience Meet Alacoque McAuley Savage - Course Director Making the decision to embark on a degree, particularly when you are an adult learner, can be a difficult one. What concerns do people generally have? From talking to our students, there would appear to be three key concerns: What is the value of starting this course and how will it benefit them in their current role and provide a platform for future career development The level of academic and personal support they will receive when they go to college. Personal support is vital to the success of adult learners How will they manage to balance work, life and learning commitments because it can seem overwhelming How do you help deal with this? From day one, our goal is to build confidence and encourage people to apply what they learn in their work, as they work. We place particular emphasis on helping people to develop the ability to analyse and learn from their own experiences and to work out ways to do things better, for themselves, by applying what they learn. We are obviously there to support our students every step of their academic journey but I believe understanding and helping with the personal challenges of taking on a course are in many ways as important as the academic support. That is why we believe so passionately in our learning being student centred and put so much effort into building a learning community for our students. We support and learn from each other. How do you think students benefit most? They become more aware of their critical importance to delivering a person centred service. They become more innovative in meeting the individual needs of people they support which leads to a better quality of life for the people they are working with. The Student Experience Meet Michelle Coe Graduate, 2013 St. Christopher s Service Why did you choose to study with the College? The College was recommended to me by a colleague so I attended the Open Day event. I immediately knew the course in Social Studies was for me; it has been designed specifically around disability services and the teaching is current and relevant. The fact that the course is accredited, was that an important factor? Being an accredited course, it allowed me to use previous qualifications gained and I was able to go straight into Year Two, using the advanced entry system. Apart from recognising previous work undertaken, it has also saved me time and money! What has your experience of the College been like? It has been pleasantly surprising in how much I have embraced learning and, right from the beginning, I ve found it useful within my day to day work. The tutors are extremely knowledgeable and they also have direct experience within the field. Their practical examples are excellent teaching tools. Not only has it had a positive impact on my practice, but I have also been able to share knowledge with colleagues, directly benefiting the people we support. I would definitely recommend the Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies (Disability) to anyone who is considering furthering their education. Transfer & Progression Applicants looking to transfer from another programme into the B.A. (Ord) Degree must have a Level 6/7 qualification equivalent to 60 credits (NFQ) or more in Social Care or Social Studies to apply for Advanced Entry. On successful completion of this programme students can progress to the B.A. (Hons) Degree.

7 B.A. (Hons) in Applied Social Studies (Disability) About the Course The B.A. (Hons) in Applied Social Studies (Disability) is a QQI accredited (Level 8) one year degree course that provides participants with the advanced knowledge and skills required to lead the development and provision of quality, rights driven services for people with disability. The skills and competencies acquired during the course puts successful participants at the heart of agency and organisational responses to the key drivers of change in the sector including: The move to regulatory quality standards (HIQA) The professionalisation of the Social Care role Effective service planning The move towards rights based, person centred planning service provision Course Modules: Applied Research Methods Comparative Social Policy Leadership & Change in Human Services Essential Social Care Management Skills Disability in the Context of Social Equality & Inclusion Audience Disability service professionals, social care leaders, people interested in social care leadership Award B.A. (Hons) Degree Award Type QQI Major Award NFQ Level 8, 180 credits Apply Applications close early Sept 2015 Start Date Late Sept 2015 Duration 1 Year (2 years option) Fees 3,095 Please Note Students may be entitled to up to 20% tax relief on fees paid. Fees instalment payment plans are available. Meet Dr Tracy Warner Course Tutor Meet Naoya Hyodo Camphill, Graduate How do you think taking the course changes people? You see students become more powerful advocates for people with disabilities as their knowledge of legislation and human rights developments becomes more detailed and nuanced. On a personal level, it also provides them with the skills and confidence to improve their work practices and progress in their career. Why did you choose to study with the OTC? What impact has your decision had? I wanted to improve myself both professionally and personally. I was truly impressed by the support from the College. I never expected such flexible and person centred support from a conventional academic degree course. The OTC supports practice by building a theoretical foundation for practitioners. Theory enlightens/ illuminates practice, and vice versa.

8 Accredited Training for the Human Services and Nonprofit Sector Entry Requirements About the OTC All applicants for the B.A. (Ordinary) degree must: Be 23 years at time of application OR have completed their Leaving Certificate/QQI/FETAC Level 5 Certificate. Be employed or volunteering in a service for people with disabilities for at least 10 hours per week. International Applicants must provide appropriate documentary evidence of proficiency in English. All applicants for the B.A. (Honours) degree must: The Open Training College is a provider of programmes leading to QQI awards to the human services and nonprofit sector. We believe that the learning community created by the collaboration between ourselves, our students and the more than 120 organisations we partner with, has created a unique environment in which people from the human services and nonprofit sector can learn in ways that can make a real difference to the citizens that use our human services. Hold a cognate qualification, preferably in Social Care or Social Studies at Level 7 (180 credits) on NFQ or equivalent. Working Together with the OTC The Open Training College has spent more than 20 years working as training experts and consultants for the human services and nonprofit sector. Our collaborative approach can be organised into three categories: Customised Training - onsite local delivery HIQA Training and Collaboration elearning - providing a bespoke elearning platform for your staff If you are planning training for your staff or require further information, please contact Conor Murray, our Corporate Services Manager. Contact Prospect Hall, Willowfield Park, Goatstown, Dublin 14 Ireland Follow us on: twitter.com/myotc Like us on: facebook.com/theopentrainingcollege Phone cmurray@opentrainingcollege.com Web OTC 2015 The information contained in this brochure invalidates all other information printed previously. Every effort will be made to run courses as advertised but the College reserves the right to amend courses as necessary and to postpone or cancel courses at its discretion.