This online module takes you into the lives of health and social care workers and service users through in-depth case studies. The module materials are written in clear, simple language and a friendly, thought-provoking style. The module is brought to life through audio, video and interactive activities which will set you thinking – drawing on your own ideas and experience to deepen your learning and help you understand the essentials of good practice.
You’ll be encouraged to share your ideas by joining online forums with other students and our tutors. You'll develop the academic skills needed to thrive at university through an introductory study skills booklet and activities threaded through the module material. The module also teaches you, quickly and simply, how to use information and communication technology for study.
Block 1 explores what it means to be a carer, first in the context of unpaid or family care and then moving on to formal or professional care. It examines the requirements for being a professional carer, such as professional standards, as well as the demands and rewards of being involved in providing care.
Block 2 explores human development across the life course by examining three case studies. The first focuses on the impact of migration on human development, the second considers how involvement in crime affects people across the life course, and the final case study focuses on the needs of people with learning disabilities moving from child to adult services. You’ll also explore how disadvantage and discrimination shape human needs across the life course by examining the video case study of a preschool playgroup supporting migrant families' service.
Block 3 examines the important issue of safeguarding. You’ll learn about the definitions of risk in the context of both adult and children's services. You’ll also explore how health and social care services respond, promote wellbeing, and protect people who are vulnerable. These issues will also be explored using a video case study of a drug and alcohol service in Belfast.
Block 4 introduces some of the core concepts of sociology and how these can help you develop a deeper understanding of health and social care needs and services. In particular, you’ll learn about the importance of identity and how identities change in certain contexts. You’ll also learn how needs change as people move through important transitions such as ageing and becoming more dependent.
Block 5 explores the settings in which care takes place and is managed. You’ll study a wide variety of care environments, from domestic homes to residential and hospital settings, and explore how these places affect the people there and the extent to which they are enabling or disabling. You’ll consider both the service user and the professional perspectives on navigating services. These themes will be illustrated with a video case study of an educational mental health resource in Oxford.
Block 6 introduces digital delivery of health and social care services. You’ll learn about why technological innovation is important and the advantages and challenges of digital service delivery. You’ll also consider your own digital footprint and use of social media. This block’s key issues are highlighted through a video case study featuring a digital app designed to support the treatment of people with post-traumatic stress disorder, filmed at the National Centre for Mental Health in Cardiff.
This module is a compulsory part of all OU professional programmes in health and social care. It's designed to provide a broad foundation of essential knowledge and skills for studies in the care field. It provides a thorough and supported programme to develop the skills of independent learning that all students require, particularly the skill of communicating effectively in writing.
This module will give you a strong foundation in vocational issues relevant to working across a range of health and social care context.
This is one of a set of modules that together constitute an approved programme that leads to The Open University's social work degrees in England, Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland. If you would like to know more, visit Social Work. In addition, as KYN102, it forms part of The Open University's programme leading to the professional qualification of Registered Nurse (Part 1: NMC). It may also help you to gain recognition from a professional body. For more information, visit BSc (Honours) Nursing.
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Course work includes:
This module is primarily online and you will have access to a module website through which teaching and library resources are available. You’ll also be provided with a module book and an introductory study skills booklet.
You can study this module on its own or use the credits you gain towards an Open University qualification.
K102 is a compulsory module in our:
K102 is an option module in our:
Introducing health and social care starts twice a year – in October and February.
This page describes the module that will start in October 2026 and February 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in February 2028.
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations, which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
There are no entry requirements for this module.
This is a key introductory OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to modules at OU level 2.
This module is an ideal place to start your degree studies if you want to draw on your experience of caring, no matter how informal.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
In your first mailing of study materials you will receive guidance of how to get started online. This will provide you with information on using your computer for OU study and working with the Computing Guide. For example, it explains how to access and use your website and online discussion forums. If you have time before the module starts, you can work through this and explore all the online services available to you.
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying K102 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
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There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your income is not more than £25,000 or you receive a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.
There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.
If your personal income is £25,000 or less, or you’re on certain benefits, you could qualify for a grant and OU top-up funding to cover 100% of your course fees. Apply online at the same time as you register on your module.
For more information on how to apply, visit our Part-Time Fee Grants for students in Scotland page.
The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.
You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:
Joint loan applications
If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.
As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average, the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.
Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).
Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.
Over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you’ve chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.
You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.
We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).
We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may get support from your employer to pay part of your tuition fee and pay the remainder by credit or debit card.
For more information about combining payment options, contact an adviser.
Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and, therefore, the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fee information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2026. Fees typically increase annually. For further information about the University's fee policy, visit our Fee Rules.
