Social Care Foundation Degree in Arts - FdA

Social Care workers play a pivotal role in the support and care of vulnerable children and adults within a rapidly changing society. There has never been a more poignant time for those wishing to develop a career within the social care sector, or for those who already work within the sector, to undertake study which will provide them with the essential skills, knowledge and practice experience to gain formal qualifications in Social Care.

The current pandemic has notably had a detrimental impact upon the social care workforce and our communities. A significant increase in referrals and accessing services has identified the importance of the social care sector and its workforce as pivotal components in the promotion of societal health, wellbeing and Care delivery.
The FdA Social Care programme aims to equip students with knowledge surrounding contemporary issues within social care, interventions utilised and the importance of care delivery. The work-based learning element will allow students to gain practical experience within sector, with opportunities to upskill and continuously progress during their learning journey, establishing links between theory and practice during study and within future employment.

On completion of the programme a graduate will be able to:
• Promote the rights, strengths and wellbeing of people, families and communities;
• Establish and maintain the trust and confidence of people;
• Be accountable for the quality of their practice and the decisions they make within legal and policy frameworks;
• Recognise the importance of continual engagement with critical professional development;
• Act safely, respectfully and with professional integrity within anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive practice;
• Work within ethical practice, promote concerns and act within professional standards/codes of practice.

The general aims of the programme are to:
– Provide a programme of study for those who currently work, or for those wanting a career within, the social care or mental health sector;
– Equip students with the theoretical knowledge, professional conduct competencies and practice skills necessary to work with service users across different social care settings;
– Develop reflective practitioners who are ‘fit for practice’ to safeguard the health and well-being of individuals with social care and/or mental health needs;
– Enable progression onto a professional qualification;
– Work based practice placement of 200 hours.