Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Care Practice

Course Summary

THIS PROGRAMME IS ACCREDITED BY CORU

The BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice in ATU Sligo has been approved by the Social Care Workers Registration Board as attesting to the standard of proficiency required for registration for Social Care Workers.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Ireland, amongst other countries, continues to face many social challenges. A career in social care practice is challenging and also uniquely rewarding, as graduates can make a real difference to people’s lives. Social Care Practice is a dynamic and continuously developing field that is now a professionally regulated career under CORU, along with other health and social care professions. Throughout this honours degree, students develop their critical thinking skills, have a greater understanding of human interaction and how to respond in a professional and informed way to the needs of people who use support services.

Professional practice placement is an integral part of this programme where students complete two 13-week blocks in professional social care practice settings. Here, students are supported to apply and develop their skills and competencies in the field, thus emerging as confident, self-aware, experienced and professional social care practitioners.

Role-play is an active and engaging learning strategy within the ATU Sligo Social Care Practice Programme. It is used in teaching, learning and assessment opportunities. In order to meet the requirements of the approved programme students are required to take part in this learning activity.

YEAR 1

Students study modules such as Introduction to Sociology, Social Care and Social Policy, Introduction to Law and Interdisciplinary Care.

YEAR 2

Modules include Creative Practice for Social Care, Adult Mental Health and Sociology 2: Making Sense of Society. In Year 2, students also complete a 13-week professional practice placement.

YEAR 3

Modules include Child and Family Law, Sociology 3: An Intersectional Approach and Child and Adolescent Mental Health. In Year 3, students also complete a 13-week professional practice placement.

YEAR 4

In the final year, students can choose from a number of elective options. Students also complete a research project on a topic of interest to them.

KEY SKILLS STUDENTS ACQUIRE

A mixture of practical, theory and work placement equips students with the skills employers want.

• A thorough understanding of key social sciences such as sociology, law, psychology, and social policy
• Creativity and communication
• Ability to apply ethical and legal principles to complex situations
• Ability to reflect on their own knowledge and understanding
• Research and analysis
• Professional practice

Entry Requirements

Entry requirements for CAO courses at ATU Sligo are available for download below:

• Download Entry requirements for just Level 8 programmes
• Download Entry requirements for all programmes

GARDA VETTING

All entrants to this programme will be required to undergo vetting by An Garda Síochána. Students who have a criminal conviction in Ireland or elsewhere, may adversely impact their ability to undertake a professional placement or to secure employment in the field of social care practice.

ENGLIGH PROFICIENCY

As all lectures, tutorials and practical work are delivered through English, it is vitally important all incoming international students (who are not English native speakers) have the required standard on entry to ensure they gain maximum value from their time at ATU Sligo.

The required minimum proficiency score in English required for entry to ATU Sligo is:

The English language test must be taken within two years from the date of application.

FITNESS TO PRACTICE

Students on the BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice must be Fit to Practice. ATU Sligo guidance on Fitness to Practice can be found within its policy.  Students will be required to read this Policy and acknowledge that they have read and understood this requirement.

IMMUNISATIONS AND VACCINATIONS WHILE ON PLACEMENT

Agencies may require students to be immunised against specific infectious diseases. The department recommends that Social Care Practice students are protected against Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis (TB), Mumps, Measles & Rubella (MMR) and Varicella (Chicken Pox).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS

Teaching and Learning

Role-play is an active learning strategy within the ATU Sligo Social Care Practice Programme that is used in teaching, learning and assessment opportunities. Consequently, in order to meet the requirements of the approved programme, students are required to take part in this learning activity and opportunity.

Professional Practice Placements

A key part of this programme is professional placement learning. This gives our students the opportunity to get real life experience in the field they have chosen to study and have a future career.

It is the policy of ATU Sligo to place students in agencies and organisations based on learning need only, and not on any other factors. Placements are dispersed all over Ireland and students are allocated to these based on the learning needs and requirements of the programme. Students are expected to commute distances and/or relocate for this learning experience. This is normal, and to be expected, in professional training programmes.

Career Opportunities

As a social care practitioner, qualifying under the professional regulator CORU, graduates are sought after by employers in a range of areas.

Graduates from this programme have the skills and competencies to work with marginalised and excluded people, such as disabled, homeless, those experiencing addictions or whom, for a variety of reasons, may require assistance and support. Social care practitioners may be employed in the health services, voluntary organisations, in community-based bodies and the private sector.

Graduates may also engage in further specialised study, work in policy or research areas or establish their own business in a relevant area.

This is a dynamic field to to work in and past graduates have graduated with job prospects awaiting them as a result of the integral professional practice placement modules in Year 2 and Year 3.

Further Study

Graduates are eligible to undertake further studies at Masters and PhD level. Graduates of this programme can progress to Masters Programmes in social work, addiction studies, equality studies, social research practice and other areas.

We have a number of Postgraduate options in these areas at ATU Sligo, including our CORU approved Master of Arts in Social Work

Postgraduate Studies at ATU Sligo

Testimonials

"There is such a diverse range of modules which bring different learning outcomes, whilst the CORU accreditation really makes this degree stand out. The lecturers are so friendly too. Their expertise and knowledge from working in industry is invaluable. We get important hints and tips that you will only get from those who have seen and done it.

The opportunity to go on work placement for two full semesters is incredible. This first-hand experience is not only great for learning, it also gives you an idea of the specific type of career you want to pursue. If you are considering working with children, families, community work or anything socially, then this is the degree for you. It will open so many possibilities."

Cian Lally, BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice

Did you know?

The BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice in ATU Sligo has been approved by the Social Care Workers Registration Board as attesting to the standard of proficiency required for registration for Social Care Workers.

This programme is the first Social Care Practice programme in Ireland to secure its (Professional Regulator) CORU approval.

A key element of this programme is the two 13-week periods of professional placement. These take place in Year 2 and Year 3, and allow students to get actively involved in a relevant organisation under expert supervision. Professional Practice Placements are organised based on student learning needs. Consequently, students can expect to travel or may choose to relocate for professional practice learning.

In Year 4, students can choose from a number of elective options.

Students also complete a research project on a topic of interest to them in the final year.

Role-play is an active learning strategy within the ATU Sligo Social Care Practice degree and is used in teaching, learning and assessment opportunities.

This is a dynamic field to to work in and past graduates have graduated with job prospects awaiting them as a result of the integral professional practice placement modules in Year 2 and Year 3.

A mixture of practical, theory and work placement equips students with the skills employers want.

A career in social care practice is challenging and also uniquely rewarding, as graduates can make a real difference to people’s lives.

Alumni

Watch below as Louise Mc Cabe tells us about her time studying Social Care Practice in ATU Sligo. Louise now works as a Child Protection Social Worker at Tusla - Child and Family Agency.

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

Semester 6

Semester 7

Semester 8