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Educational aims

The educational aims of this qualification are to increase widening participation in higher education for qualified social workers who have an existing diploma in higher education or equivalent but wish to ‘top-up’ to honours degree level. By completing 120 credits of higher education at OU level 3 these workers and students will develop and demonstrate their critical reflection and analytical abilities through academic writing and potential application in their work and practice environments.

This degree is designed to enable you to develop a sound and critical understanding of policy, theory and practice in health and social care. It will provide you with an opportunity to engage with the challenges facing professionals, service users and policy makers in the UK today. Studying for this degree will enable you to develop:

  • your knowledge and understanding of the historical and contemporary contexts in which health and social care takes place
  • a sound and critical understanding of key theoretical concepts and debates that underpin health and social care provision, including the legal, ethical and value base of care
  • your awareness of the diversity of needs and practices of different client groups
  • the knowledge, skills and understanding to enable you to work across boundaries, promoting professional and service-user relationships and inter-professional collaboration
  • the skills required for assessing current practice, for influencing and empowering others and bringing about change
  • the skills to use ICT routinely to support your learning and achieve the aims of the degree and engage in evidence-based practice.

Learning outcomes

This degree provides opportunities for you to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:

Knowledge and understanding

Of:

  • the development of health and social care in the UK from the twentieth century and the contemporary context in which care takes place
  • the theories and concepts that underpin and challenge practice and professionalism in health and social care
  • the legal and ethical framework within which care takes place
  • research methods in health and social care and their application to practice
  • the diversity of values in the context of health and social care including the experience of care from a service user’s perspective
  • the social processes associated with the promotion of health and well-being and the creation of inequalities.

Cognitive skills

Be able to:

  • analyse situations from a range of perspectives and evaluate the appropriateness of different interventions or approaches
  • apply concepts and theories to inform and critique practice situations
  • critically evaluate evidence from research and its application to practice
  • make use of a range of sources of information and use them to sustain an argument or develop new insights into practice.

Practical and/or professional skills

Be able to:

  • observe, describe and record accurately and assess evidence and make informed decisions
  • demonstrate a critical understanding of the ethical, cultural, political and social dilemmas of practice
  • critically evaluate approaches to service provision and use strategies for improving practice, contributing to the development of quality services
  • practice critical self-reflection and examine and reflect on effective practice, both direct and indirect, with a range of service users and in a variety of settings
  • analyse the factors and processes that facilitate effective interdisciplinary, inter-professional and inter-agency collaboration and partnership
  • demonstrate sensitivity to the diversity of values and interests of others.

Key skills

Be able to:

  • communicate effectively for the intended audience and purpose in an appropriate style and level using different media
  • read, select and manipulate information from a range of resources including electronic sources
  • identify, understand and compare different lines of reasoning, recognising authority of source, possible bias, opinion and perspective
  • write assignments, structuring the material to present a logical and coherent argument
  • use numbers within a health and social care context and interpret statistical data
  • manage own learning through the identification of learning needs; objective setting; monitoring progress by critical reflection; identifying strengths and weaknesses and areas to improve; and responding to feedback.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

Knowledge and understanding is acquired through the study of a range of printed and audio-visual sources that comprise the study materials.

Learning is enhanced through written assignments and the feedback from tutors on your work. On some modules you may also develop your learning through optional attendance at tutorials.

Learning outcomes are assessed by essays, projects and reflective accounts.

Cognitive skills are developed through the use of module activities, written assignments, feedback on written work and a personal diary or journal.

They are assessed through written assignments, projects and a portfolio of evidence. It should be noted that elements of this assessment are linked to elements that supporters will be looking for in assessing practice in situ.

Basic study skills are reinforced throughout OU level 3 study.

The ability to manage own learning is encouraged by all and is dealt with explicitly in certain OU level 3 modules.

You have the opportunity to develop your communication skills and group work skills at optional tutorials but these are not assessed.

Key skills are assessed throughout by written assignments, and projects.

Practical and professional skills are also acquired through the study of a range of printed and audio-visual sources that comprise the study materials. These skills are reinforced throughout OU level 3 study.

The development of professional skills is enhanced through written assignments and the feedback from tutors on your work. On some modules you may also develop your learning through optional attendance at tutorials.

Learning outcomes are assessed by essays, projects, reflective accounts and through a portfolio of evidence.