MSc and BSc (Honours) VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

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1 MSc and BSc (Honours) VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION Faculty of Health and Wellbeing Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield S1 1WB Phone +44 (0) Fax +44 (0) This booklet is printed on Revive 75, a recycled paper containing 75 per cent recovered fibre. The stock is also NAPM approved This material can be disposed of by recycling, incineration for energy recovery, composting or is biodegradable. This information can be made available in other formats. Please contact us for further details. The University's terms and conditions apply to all offers of places of study at the University. Copies are available on request. Every effort has been made to ensure the information in this publication is correct. Details are subject to change without notice /08 SHARPENS YOUR THINKING is the trademark of Sheffield Hallam University

2 To keep pace with new technology, research and the latest thinking, we constantly review and update our courses. Normally there will be few changes, if any, to what we print in the course brochure. However as the course content may change after we have printed the brochure, you can look at the online prospectus or contact us for the latest course information. Visit Sheffield Hallam University Student satisfaction These are some of the areas given the highest ranking of very satisfactory by students* in our 2006 Student Experience Survey Sheffield Hallam University as a whole University services opportunities to make friends and socialise studying in the city of Sheffield potential career prospects enthusiasm of teaching staff for their subject course content quality of workplace experience Since 2000 the University has carried out student experience surveys where current students are asked about their time at the University and asked to rate their level of satisfaction for their course and University facilities. The full survey results can be found at *health, bioscience and sport students. Contents Sheffield Hallam a great place to build your career 4 Sheffield a great place to live 6 Vocational rehabilitation 8 BSc Vocational Rehabilitation 10 How to apply 11 MSc/PgDip/PgCert Vocational Rehabilitation 12 How to apply 13 Module descriptions 15

3 Sheffield Hallam University a great place to build your career We pride ourselves on supporting our students and helping them achieve their ambitions. We will do everything we can to help you build your expertise for your career. Study with the best facilities We have some of the UK s best and most modern campuses and facilities. We have invested 81m in the last ten years on teaching and learning facilities and plan 80m more up to We are leaders in e-learning, building employability into courses and developing ways for students to take more control of their learning. There are learning centres on each of our campuses housing more than 2,000 study spaces including more than 750 equipped with PCs. Our buildings are open to our students seven days each week during semesters including 24 hour opening. With a community of 27,000 students, over 4,000 staff and around 600 courses, we are one of the UK s largest and most progressive universities. A proud commitment to quality teaching With 12 subject areas rated as excellent by the national assessment body, we pride ourselves on teaching that delivers results. Work-based learning, case studies, live projects and innovative assignments are backed by the latest e-learning and technology. Our graduates are in demand Our graduates do well in finding jobs. 89 per cent* of Sheffield Hallam graduates are in work or further study within six months of completing their course. Focusing on your career from day one Employability is built into your studies right from the start. We work with partnership organisations to deliver what s wanted in the workplace. We work with hospitals, primary care trusts, industry and government agencies. *based on graduates eligible to work that responded to the University's 2004 first destination survey The Robert Winston Building, Teaching enriched by the latest research Research is a vital part of our work. Staff working at the edge of new knowledge can feed their expertise back into courses. National and international organisations like Pfizer, Peugeot, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Sport England, Sheffield City Council and Department of Health have used our research expertise. Supporting your achievement is our job Nobody is on their own at Sheffield Hallam. From accommodation and money to personal, practical and academic support we make sure you get the assistance you need. That includes help finding placements and work experience, finding part-time work to bring in extra cash, and helping you find the right move after graduation. Guaranteed accommodation If you need to find accommodation in Sheffield while you are studying, we can help. We guarantee to offer all first year students who apply for accommodation a property, owned or managed by the University or in partnership or private sector accommodation. Students on our health courses are based at which is a five minute bus ride or a 20 minute walk from Sheffield city centre Above Heart of the Campus, Right Millers Restaurant, Learning centre, Students relaxing at Our purpose built health and wellbeing building, the Robert Winston Building Our Chancellor Lord Winston opening the Robert Winston Building Sheffield city centre is only a five minute bus ride from Main entrance, City Campus 4 5

4 Sheffield a great place to live Sheffield is a vibrant modern city, strikingly set over seven river valleys. It is Britain s fifth largest city and also one of its greenest, with 150 woodlands and 50 public parks. A third of the city boundary falls within the Peak District National Park, home to some of the UK s most beautiful open countryside. The city centre includes award-winning buildings and public spaces, together with a diverse range of shops. Ten minutes from the city centre is Meadowhall, one of Europe s largest indoor shopping centres. Home to two major universities, Sheffield is one of the UK s leading student cities, with a very large student population. There is a thriving cultural scene, with a wealth of stylish café bars, restaurants, lively pubs and nightclubs, nationally renowned theatres, live music venues, international spectator sports, as well as visitor attractions, galleries and museums. According to recent Home Office statistics, Sheffield is one of the UK s safest cities. Sheffield has one of England s lowest cost of living for students, with prices and rents below the national average. Clockwise from top Sheffield Peace Gardens Relax while you study in the grounds of The HUBS Sheffield Hallam University s students union The Peak District National Park offers a wide range of recreational activities Get together in the Atrium City Campus Clockwise from top left Sheffield Hallam University entrance Sheffield has a thriving café culture Athletics at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) The Sheffield Winter Gardens 6 7

5 Vocational Rehabilitation What is vocational rehabilitation? Vocational rehabilitation is the process used to help individuals remain in or find work following injury, illness or impairment. It is about finding solutions to help people overcome barriers to work. This involves working closely with individuals to identify difficulties they might encounter in their jobs, or problems they face when looking for employment. It also involves working with organisations and other services to find ways to address these issues and improve the employment potential of individuals. The government is keen to promote vocational rehabilitation through its Return to Work Agenda. A number of policies and government agendas highlight the demand for these services and support its development. For example Department for Work and Pensions (2006) A New Deal for Welfare: Empowering People to Work Department for Work and Pensions (2004) Building Capacity for Work: A UK Framework for Vocational Rehabilitation Careers in vocational rehabilitation Vocational rehabilitation can take you into many different areas of work. Employment opportunities exist in the public, private or voluntary sectors that address the needs of people wishing to gain or retain employment. Vocational rehabilitation involves working with a range of people who may be experiencing difficulties for many different reasons. It might include working with people with mental health problems people who are seeking employment after a period in prison people who have sustained a serious accident people with complex physical limitations Examples of job roles within vocational rehabilitation include disability employment advisors rehabilitation workers workplace assessors incapacity benefit personal advisors vocational rehabilitation consultants career advisors Vocational rehabilitation at Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield Hallam is one of the first universities in the UK to offer courses in this exciting new area of practice. Our courses prepare you for working in this area and provide training relating specifically to the government s Return to Work Agenda. You will develop the skills and knowledge required to undertake new job opportunities that have arisen from this government initiative. A focus on developing your professional expertise Our teaching staff are qualified in a range of health professions and bring a wealth of national and international experience to their teaching. Many have undertaken or are presently engaged in research, and have been widely published. We recognise the importance of involving service users (people who receive vocational rehabilitation support) with the development of our courses. Service users are actively involved in the teaching of a number of modules throughout the course. Modern specialist facilities We have a purpose built health and wellbeing building, the Robert Winston Building. Our specialist teaching rooms were designed in close consultation with practising health professionals to replicate actual work environments. The rooms are complemented by the latest teaching and clinical equipment and technology. You will have access to a full range of equipment for functional capacity assessments. Assessing range of movement of the upper body using the Valpar 9 I started my MSc Vocational Rehabilitation as I was working in condition management and wanted to improve my knowledge and skills in the area of vocational rehabilitation, and also enhance my career prospects in this area. I have thoroughly enjoyed the course and the lecturers have all been very supportive. I have also enjoyed meeting the other students on the course and sharing their experiences of the different areas where they work. Jane Smilie, current student working in condition management Specialist assessment tools are used 8 9

6 BSc (Honours) Vocational Rehabilitation UCAS code B992 Attendance three years full time typically six years part time Assessment presentations reports groupwork workshops Entry Requirements 200 points five GCSE passes at grade C or above, including mathematics and English language Course Content Year one introduction to vocational rehabilitation individual experiences of health and illness working in a professional capacity occupation and health in context understanding groups experiencing the world of work changing behaviours Year two causes and consequences of complex health conditions motivational interviewing and behaviour change defining and understanding an evidence base condition management promoting engagement with work workplace assessment organisational engagement with disability and accommodation theoretical principles of behavioural change Year three problem-solving and resolution in organisational contexts independent learning at work applied coaching and mentoring project management Who is this course for? This course has been developed to prepare you with the appropriate knowledge and skills to work in the area of vocational rehabilitation. It is for people who are interested in a career that helps others reach their full potential. It involves working closely with people and requires patience, a positive attitude and a desire to help people overcome problems. We are looking for individuals with good communication and interpersonal skills personal initiative responsibility and reliability work-related experience If you already work in vocational rehabilitation services, the part-time route may be a relevant training opportunity to develop your skills. The delivery of the parttime route is flexible and it can be completed over four and a half years to six years. How will I benefit from the course? During the course you will study theories, models and strategies for vocational rehabilitation. You will draw on this knowledge and learn how to apply this in practice to address the needs of people with a range of disabling conditions. You will gain the practical skills to relate positively to people with disabilities and identify their potential for work analyse job requirements assess individuals' capacity to fulfil job requirements identify and solve complex problems that limit employment options promote health in the workplace You will use your skills and knowledge of the law and government policy to assess individual needs and provide solutions to enable them to prepare for, or continue to engage in, employment. Building your expertise Throughout the course, you will explore the value of work to an individual and to society, and the relationship between work and health. You will examine social and environmental barriers to employment and develop strategies for promoting work opportunities for people with disabilities. In the first year, we encourage those of you not in work to seek part time employment to gain experience of a work environment. This will allow you to appreciate the demands and benefits of work from a personal perspective. One project involves working in a group to produce a presentation about an excluded group of workers. Another project requires you to carry out a workplace assessment. Practical workshops will enable you to develop personal and practical skills that will help you facilitate the employability of others. You will develop skills in observation assessment communication group work negotiation problem-solving You will have the opportunity to use specialist equipment used for functional assessment and to review technological devices that promote functional ability. Lectures and workshops led by experts in the field will help you to develop your knowledge and understanding. Employers and people from outside of the University, who have disabilities and who have experienced employment-related problems, will contribute to the programme. They will provide you with insights into their difficulties and the impact that these problems have had on themselves and others. In your final year, you will work on a project of your choice. You will be encouraged to undertake this in association with different organisations. This can focus on an area of personal interest or an area that you would like to specialise in. Graduates may be eligible to apply to our MSc Vocational Rehabilitation to develop a more specialised knowledge and skills in this area see page 12 for more information. How to apply You can apply for the full time route through UCAS. For more information please visit For more information about the part-time route, or if you have any other queries, please contact the course leader Kate Heward on , or her at [email protected] Students assessing skills for the workplace We are committed to ensuring that individuals with health conditions and/or impairment are enabled to fulfil their employment potential. We offer appropriate help to access and retain work. We see the development of vocational rehabilitation as being an important contribution to this agenda. Jane Kennedy, MP, Launch of the Building Capacity for Work Framework for Vocational Rehabilitation 10 11

7 MSc/PgDip/PgCert Vocational Rehabilitation Attendance Part-time Attendance depends on the modules studied. Some core modules run in two day blocks over a weekend, from Friday to Saturday. To get the most from the course, we recommend you plan or negotiate some study time for the selfdirected element. This is particularly relevant for the final project. It is possible to complete the Masters Programme in a minimum of three years and a maximum of six years. You are able to study at a pace that suits you within that timeframe. Mandatory modules run each semester and most students generally join the programme in semester 1 (October) although it is possible to join in semester 2 (February). Year one postgraduate certificate (60 credits) Year two postgraduate diploma (120 credits) Year three MSc (180 credits) Assessment Assessment varies from module to module, but most assessment is by a variety of coursework and case studies related to your area of work. There are no formal written examinations. Many assessments require you to draw upon your personal experience and professional practice. It is expected that you will apply your theoretical knowledge and learning to your own practice or clinical area. Elements of choice are available in the assessments, to ensure that learning is relevant to your own practice area and professional needs. Entry requirements A qualification to practise in a healthcare profession, or a degree and relevant work experience with people with disabilities. This might include, for example, human resources, employment, rehabilitation or disability services. Exceptionally, those who have other relevant qualifications and are currently working in an area related to vocational rehabilitation may be considered. Fees Part-time typically 1,428 to PgCert, 2,856 to PgDip, and 3,600 to MSc If you wish to study individual modules the cost will depend on the number of credits per module. The price per 5 credits is 119. Please contact our Post-Experience and Postgraduate Office for more information. Based on 2008/09 fee information. Fees are subject to change annually. Sheffield Hallam University was one of the first universities to develop a course in this specialist area and continues to be at the forefront of this field. The MSc Vocational Rehabilitation has been delivered since 2003, and has been extremely successful. We currently have over 50 students on the course. Our strong applied research base and the clinical expertise of our staff, means we can deliver skills and knowledge that is relevant and up to date. Who is this course for? This course is for people who wish to enhance their expertise and gain a recognised award in vocational rehabilitation. It is suitable for practitioners and anyone working in the field of rehabilitation, human resources, employment and disability services, who wish to study at a more advanced level. Our current student profile includes managers of vocational rehabilitation services consultants in vocational rehabilitation occupational health providers disability advisors and service managers careers advisors nurses occupational therapists How will I benefit from the course? This qualification will allow you a greater insight into all aspects of vocational rehabilitation. We aim to build on your existing experience to improve professionalism and effectiveness. You will develop expertise in exploring the current social, political and economic issues to develop creative approaches and meaningful employment solutions for those with disabilities collaborating effectively with other professionals and organisations, to provide coordinated services that meet the employment needs of selected individuals applying policies, models, frameworks and agendas to guide individual practice This course will provide you with the opportunity for continuing professional development within an expanding and developing area of vocational rehabilitation. Building your expertise You will examine the current political and sociological context of employment for people facing barriers to employment. You will develop your practical skills and methods of interventions to improve your current practice. Core and optional modules allow you to develop a programme of study to meet your personal and professional needs. This course improves your ability to learn and collaborate effectively in practice, to provide a co-ordinated service that meets the identified employment needs of individuals. It also enables you to use and undertake research to develop your knowledge and capacity in this specialist area. We promote a student led approach with seminars, workshops, student led discussions and presentations, keynote lectures and problem-based learning. We encourage active, participative learning, utilising your own work and life experiences. You can take any module individually for continuing professional development. You can work towards a named award by taking the appropriate number of credits on a specified route. This may be a postgraduate certificate, a postgraduate diploma or a masters degree. How to apply Application forms can be downloaded from or requested from our Post-Experience and Postgraduate Office on Completed forms need to be returned to The Post-Experience and Postgraduate Office Faculty of Health and Wellbeing Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield S1 1WB For details of enrolment procedures, course fees or any other information, please contact us on the number above or us at [email protected] Paul Dunning Condition Management Clinical Lead The MSc has provided time away from the work setting to develop my learning on the wide issues relating to Vocational Rehabilitation. The different and varied approaches to learning (lectures, workshops, small group work and presentations) have provided times for thought provoking discussion and made learning enjoyable and fun. The assignments have enabled me to reflect and consider practice in the light of current policy and evidence and to make changes in the work setting that reflect this, offering service users a more effective service. My involvement in the MSc was a contributing factor to changing jobs, helping me to gain the post of clinical lead in one of the Pathways to Work Condition Management teams which has been a really rewarding experience to date. The support of the lecturers enabled me to contribute an article, devised from an assignment, to my professional magazine which was published. I have found the lecturers incredibly supportive and available for help when needed

8 MSc/PgDip/PgCert Vocational Rehabilitation Module descriptions PgCert Context of vocational rehabilitation (15 credits) This module allows those who already have experience of working with people with disabilities to focus more specifically on employment issues. It forms part of the continuing professional development agenda of healthcare and other practitioners. It builds on your existing knowledge and skills and develops your capacity to work collaboratively across health, social care and employment agencies. Thus you can make a more effective contribution to an integrated service for people seeking employment. It develops your ability to manage the complexities of working with other agencies with a broader understanding of the various policies, models, frameworks and agenda that normally guide individual practices. This module sets the context for subsequent modules. Impact and experience of disability (30 credits) This builds your understanding of the personal experiences of those who have had difficulty finding employment, and the consequences for them. It then develops creative strategies for practice, that will maximise future employment opportunities. or Vocational pathways (30 credits) This module enables you to devise and evaluate strategies to facilitate employment opportunities for people with disabilities. These are likely to involve complex evaluation processes, creative thinking and collaboration between services and agencies. The module explores innovative ways of promoting pathways to employment. Plus option module PgDip impact and experience of disability or vocational pathways or independent enquiry Independent enquiry (30 credits) This module enables you to plan and carry out an independent inquiry into an area of professional or organisational practice, an issue pertinent to occupation or employment or into a topic associated with disability, health or wellbeing. You will be required to produce a written report of the inquiry in a format that is suitable for dissemination to a selected audience plus Research for practice (30 credits) This module develops an understanding of research approaches and processes to give a theoretical basis for later research. It also prepares you for some of the complexities associated with research activity that crosses organisational boundaries and that takes place in challenging and dynamic environments. You must take this module to progress to the MSc. It will prepare you specifically for the Masters Dissertation module. This focus is on learning which is both academically valid and organisationally relevant to your own work situation. Influential considerations in the development of your research question include methodological choices, the ethical, legal, social, political and organisational implications of the proposed programme and taking measures to gain support and, where necessary, ethical approval from all interested parties. If you don t wish to complete the MSc level, you can chose to study other modules offered within the wider Faculty of Health and Wellbeing. MSc Dissertation module (60 credits) This project involves a significant amount of autonomous work on an area of study that complements and draws together the other elements of the route. You will be assigned a project supervisor to provide academic support. Your professional studies project reviews and combines the learning that has been achieved. It is expected that the subject material being studied will be at an advanced level. This will involve significant critical thinking, synthesis and evaluation, which develops the theory and practice of vocational rehabilitation. Option modules You can choose taught modules from those offered within the wider Faculty of Health and Wellbeing. These modules can be subject specific to contribute to the specialist focus of your practice. Alternatively, they may be generic or interprofessional, requiring you to apply the general material to your professional practice. We are able to offer some option modules through distance learning. Interim awards A postgraduate certificate or diploma qualification can be awarded if you leave before completing the course to masters level. You must successfully complete the appropriate number and mix of modules for an interim award to be gained. Students using specialist functional capacity assessments. Accreditation of prior credited learning (APCL) (15 credits) Specific credit may be awarded for previous certificated study that you may have undertaken at another higher education institution. Credit is usually awarded according to recognised tariffs or by reviewing the actual assigned credit rating of the particular module(s). Accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) (15 credits) The recognition of prior learning is an important feature of this programme, in that it emphasises the important tacit learning that occurs in your practice. Claims for the learning accrued from your professional experience should be negotiated alongside your choice of other modes of learning. APEL is retrospective recognition of experience. The MSc Vocational Rehabilitation course is a well run and thought provoking course, that has helped develop my skills and interest in vocational rehabilitation with people with brain injuries. I have been able to network with others which has been invaluable. It empowered me to transfer my skills and knowledge into my workplace and has made me feel more enthused about my role. Tracey Whiteley, current student working in occupational therapy 14 15