We all depend on care services at some time in our lives – at home; in hospitals, clinics or GP surgeries; or in community and residential settings. This key introductory module provides an authoritative overview of health and social care, with real-life case studies taking you deep into the experience of receiving care and working in care services. Whether you're involved in care work (paid or unpaid), use services yourself, or simply have a general interest, this module will build knowledge and understanding, develop skills, and prepare you for further study.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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