1. OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAMME

The qualification has been created to develop and reward the health and social care workers of today and the future, and to continue to bring recognition and professionalism to the health and social care sector.

We hope that learners take the opportunity to learn a great deal from this programme that will provide relevant new skills and qualities.

It is envisaged that this programme will encourage both academic and professional development so that your learners move forward to realise not just their own potential but also that of organisations across a broad range of sectors.

The Certificate is accredited at Level 4 and the Diploma is accredited at level 5. Each programme has a total equivalence of 120 credits.

Completing the Diplomas has a value of 240 credits. This is equivalent to a Foundation Degree or Diploma in Higher Education and as such allows access to the final year at one of our University partners for a related Honours Degree.

2. RATIONALE FOR THE DIPLOMA

The rationale of the programmes is to provide a career path for learners who wish to develop their management and care capabilities within the health and social care sector. The outcome of the Certificate and Diplomas, which are recognised UK Qualifications, is for learners to develop the skills required by organisations globally.

All programmes create learning that advances the thought leadership of organisations, offering conceptual and practical insights that are applicable in the companies of today and tomorrow.

Furthermore, we look to develop the team leaders, managers and leaders of the future through the creation and delivery of learning appropriate for industry.

The qualification will:

• prepare learners for employment; and
• support a range of roles in the workplace.

The qualifications provide a specialist work-related programme of study that provides breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, along with practical skills required in the health and social care sector. It also allows specialist development through the optional units.

The qualifications will help to prepare professional staff and managers of the future in the health and social care sector. The qualifications provide a generic core of mandatory units that apply to all health and social care contexts; and allow learners to select specialisms in the optional units.

The qualifications are suitable for part-time learners in the workplace but equally appropriate for full time learners who can also participate in formal work placements or part-time employment. Learners can progress into or within employment in the health and social care sector, either directly on achievement of the awards or following further study to degree level.

3. AIMS OF THE DIPLOMA

The programmes provide the opportunity for individuals to forge a career in health and social care by seeking a greater knowledge and understanding industry, and to support the individual’s development into senior positions. The course aims for the following five themes of an academic plan:

1: Pursuing Excellence – Apply self-reflective, analytical, evaluative, intellectual, and transferable skills in private and public sectors.

2: Practice-led, knowledge-applied – Enable learners to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills required of a flexible creative practitioner.

3: Interdisciplinary – Develop a learner who is responsive to the changing interdisciplinary landscape, able to adapt to changing needs, paraprofessional roles and inter-professional working.

4: Employability-driven – To provide individuals with the knowledge, skills and behaviours necessary to forge a career within the health and social care sector, through the acquisition of in depth knowledge and understanding.

5: Internationalisation – Develop an understanding of the impact of diverse and cultural issues within health and social care.

4. LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE DIPLOMA

Learners studying for the Certificate and Diploma in Health and Social Care will be expected to develop the following skills during the programme of study:

1. Analysing, synthesising and summarising information critically

2. The ability to read and use appropriate literature with a full and critical understanding the ability to think independently and solve problems

3. Apply subject knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar problems

4. Recognise the moral and ethical issues of health and social care practice and research; appreciating the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct

5. An appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature of health and social care service provision

6. Capacity to give a clear and accurate account of a subject, assemble arguments in a mature way and engage in debate and dialogue both with specialists and non-specialists

7. Transferable skills and knowledge which will enable individuals to meet changing needs

8. Circumstances, whether within their own area of employment, or through promotion to a supervisory or management position, or to adapt to changes in the health/social care environment

9. To motivate individuals to progress to further professional development through future study or as part of their chosen career.

5. ENTRY CRITERIA

The qualifications have been designed to be accessible without artificial barriers that restrict access and progression. Entry to the qualifications will be through centre interview and learners will be expected to hold the following:

• qualifications at Level 3 and/or 4;
• work experience at a managerial level and demonstrate ambition with clear career goals;
• a first degree in another discipline and want to develop their careers in health and social care or business.

In certain circumstances, learners with considerable experience but no formal qualifications may be considered, subject to interview and being able to demonstrate their ability to cope with the demands of the programme.

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6 (or equivalent) is required.

International Qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes. The applicants are normally required to produce two supporting references, at least one of which should preferably be academic.

6. PROGRAMME SUMMARY

Unit Reference	Mandatory Units	Level	TQT	Credits	GLH
HSC501	Principles Underpinning Health and Social Care	5	200	20	100
HSC502	The Management of Quality in Health and Social Care	5	200	20	100
HSC503	Research Project	5	200	20	100
HSC504	Partnership working in Health and Social Care	5	200	20	100
HSC505	Working with Service users with Complex Needs	5	200	20	100