Health and Social Care - CertHE / FdSc / Module
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Do you want to enhance your career in health and social care? Our Certificate in Higher Education/Foundation degree is ideal for those already working a minimum of 30 hours per week within a health and social work setting. You can develop your knowledge and skills to enable you to progress to Assistant Practitioner level or equivalent.
A variety of pathways can be studied including:
Rated Good by Ofsted
This course was rated Good by Ofsted in 2019.
Full report
This course is
not open
to International students.What's covered in this course?
The Cert HE/FdSc Health and Social Care are full-time programmes delivered at the City South campus, and have been carefully-designed to provide the skills you and your current or future employer need.
Expert teaching staff in our School of Nursing and Midwifery and School of Health Sciences provide the guidance needed to make sure you secure the necessary academic requirements and clinically orientated competencies that will advance your career.
The course equips successful candidates for a range of roles in health or social care settings, local authorities, the voluntary sector and private care settings.
In securing this Foundation Degree you will complete an e- portfolio that offers clear evidence of your development. You explore the scope of professional practice in the areas of compassionate care delivery ,risk management, responsibility and accountability, infection control, confidentiality, consent, and many more.
The course offers an introduction to anatomy and physiology, and examines social, psychological and cultural influences relevant to your area of work. It covers professional issues relating to the boundaries of practice, patient and client assessment. It also provides a thorough understanding of standard operating procedures and relevant national service frameworks.
You can also choose a negotiated module, if appropriate, that will enable you to undertake more study in an area relevant to your role, practice and service user group.
Why Choose Us?
We offer personal tutors based in the University, ensuring support is on hand to offer advice and encouragement.
We provide a wide range of support to introduce you to University level study, including the Maths, English and wider study skills to help you to be successful on the Foundation Degree.
This full-time work based learning programme is aimed at people who are currently working in a health and social care setting.
The course is based in the Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences in the recently extended £71 million City South Campus, which features mock hospital wards, a mock operating theatre, a home environment room, a radiography skills suite with working x-ray machines, and laboratory for you to practice in.
Studying with us during the Covid-19 pandemic
The University has put in place
measures in response to Covid-19
to allow us to safely deliver our courses. Should the impact of the pandemic continue in future years, any additional or alternative arrangements put in place by the University will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of thestudent contract
.Program Outline
Download course specification
Download now
Course structure
The two year FdSc Health and Social Care programme will incorporate a variety of learning methods in order to support your individual learning style. The primary focus will be on work-based learning, with the addition of face to face taught sessions, group work; Moodle based activities and paper resources and tutorials.
A variety of approaches to teaching and learning will be utilised to reflect your academic level, session content and outcomes, taking into account your individual leaning needs. The learning methods employed will allow the specific subject matter in the route to be explored in depth through the creation of an environment of critical enquiry for both you the student and staff.
The FdSc Health and Social Care team will support you to develop the skills required that will enable you to critically analyse your own learning journey, and reflect on your personal and professional development. The application of knowledge linked to the development of your clinical skills is an important element of the programme, this is supported during your work based learning by clinical learning facilitators from your area of practice and your personal tutors. You will select a pathway that is relevant to your current job role.
Course breakdown
Level 4 (Cert HE)
Level 5 (FdSc)
Level 4 (Mammography)
Level 4 (Cert HE)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only
.
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology (Core) 20 credits
An appreciation of the principles of Anatomy and Physiology plays a central role in the understanding of the workings of the human body. This module will provide an awareness of key physiological systems ensuring you develop an ability to demonstrate the interplay of such systems to maintain the body in homoeostatic balance. This module will also aim to foster recognition of the importance of the underpinning theory that dictates clinical practise.
Principles of Personal and Professional Development (Core) 40 credits
The aim of this module is to enable you to consolidate and further develop the personal and professional knowledge and skills that are necessary to deliver high quality health and social care.
This module focuses on helping you to develop new and existing skills and knowledge of the academic skills essential to achieve your learning goals in Higher Education. The module also concentrates on your existing clinical knowledge and skills and examines the role of the 6 C’s principles of effective care delivery (Cummings, 2012). Throughout the module you will be given the opportunity to reflect on your existing knowledge and skills, and identify areas in both your academic and clinical practice that you want to develop.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Diagnostic Radiography)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Diagnostic Radiography for Assistant Practice 40 credits
This module has clinical and academic components and makes use of the clinical skills facilities available within the faculty. It aims to provide a grounding in diagnostic imaging practice and techniques for Assistant Practitioners.
This module provides you with the fundamental knowledge and the core clinical skills that Assistant Practitioners require to enable you to competently perform radiographic imaging examinations. The syllabus includes anatomy, physiology and pathology, patient care and communication and standard radiographic examination procedures.
Physics for Radiography Practitioners 20 credits
This module is essential to enable your understanding of the theory and practical applications of physics in the context of radiography or radiotherapy. Radiation physics and the safe and legal use of ionising radiation is an essential aspect of the radiation disciplines. It involves the underlying principles of the nature of matter and associated principles and how that relates to radiation production and attenuation its application to imaging and therapeutic modalities.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Mammography)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Mammography – Principles and Practice 40 credits
This module is appropriate for Trainee Assistant Practitioners who are working in a Breast Imaging Department and will be undertaking the standard routine mammographic imaging of the breast. You will be responsible for your own learning, and will reflect on your clinical experience during your academic studies, and similarly will apply knowledge to practice which will involve provision of effective care to a diverse range of service users from a range of cultural backgrounds.
Physics for Radiography Practitioners 20 credits
This module is essential to enable your understanding of the theory and practical applications of physics in the context of radiography or radiotherapy. Radiation physics and the safe and legal use of ionising radiation is an essential aspect of the radiation disciplines. It involves the underlying principles of the nature of matter and associated principles and how that relates to radiation production and attenuation its application to imaging and therapeutic modalities.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Maternity)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Knowledge and Skills to Practice in Maternity Practice 40 credits
Successful completion of this level 4 module will support your development as a Maternity Support Worker enabling you to develop the knowledge and skills that are necessary to deliver high quality health and social care within the maternity setting.
Supporting Normal Birth 20 credits
This module provides the underpinning principles for care delivery during the pregnancy and childbirth journey, and enables you to appreciate your role in accomplishing a safe and positive birth experience and support the integration of the baby into the family. During the module you will be encouraged to develop a deep understanding of normal birth and how you can, achieve professional and personal growth as a Maternity Support Worker.
Alignment withFdSc Health and Social Care (Surgical Care Support)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Fundamental Perioperative Practice 40 credits
This module provides you, a first year Assistant Theatre Practitioner Apprentice (Surgical Care Support) to study the fundamental principles of perioperative practice and engage in applying these within the clinical setting to develop your clinical practice skills as part of the multidisciplinary team. You will utilise the knowledge and skills attained in other first year modules to demonstrate a commitment to providing a safe environment for the surgical patient.
The Wider Principles of Perioperative Care 20 credits
This module provides you, a first year Assistant Theatre Practitioner Apprentice (Surgical Care Support) an introduction to the wider considerations for patient care delivery within the perioperative setting. As work-based learning remains the very essence of the programme, you will have the opportunity to combine your previous experience with your newly acquired knowledge and apply this immediately into your practice. Collaboration between the University and work-based partners is fundamental to the programme.
Level 5 (FdSc)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 60 credits):
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only
Evidence Based Healthcare 20 credits
This module is aimed at supporting and enabling you to develop as a critical, reflective and independent thinker with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to achieve your potential as a paraprofessional worker. In order to effect change at a local level, you need to demonstrate the ability to consider an area of your practice, explore the appropriate evidence and present your findings to your peers and managers in a logical and balanced way. This module aims to give you this opportunity, whilst potentially benefiting your own area of practice.
Becoming a Paraprofessional 20 credits
This module is aimed at supporting and enabling you to develop as a critical, reflective and independent thinker with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to achieve your potential as a paraprofessional worker.
The teaching and learning approaches are designed to maximise the benefits of sharing knowledge and expertise in the classroom. Lecturers will facilitate the integration of theory and practice throughout the module. You will also be encouraged to use information technologies as potential sources of knowledge and learning, as well as developing an e-portfolio. This will be achieved through a blended learning method comprising of face to face teaching, group work, presentations, tutorials and e-learning through the Moodle VLE platform.
Introduction to Management and Leadership in Health and Social Care 20 credits
This module has been designed to be flexible and practice-led. You will have the opportunity to develop skills of enquiry, reflection and problem solving. A blended learning approach is taken (incorporating classroom, e-learning via Moodle [Virtual Learning Environment platform] and work-based activities) in line with the university’s learning and teaching strategy. You will be encouraged to share practice experiences with your fellow students, as well as engaging in both directed and self-directed learning activities. You will be an active partner in your own learning and development and in return you will be offered tutorial support, by way of regular feedback and feedforward aimed at developing your academic skills. This will also allow you the opportunity to discuss your progress with the module team.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Children)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Advanced Knowledge Skills and Assessment in Children’s Health Care 40 credits
This module aims to further enhance your skills and knowledge of practice through reflection and analysis of your own role, including the exploration of evidence based research and literature. The module is designed to follow on from your level four Knowledge Skills And Assessment In Children’s Healthcare module and will advance your knowledge, skills, critical analysis and clinical decision making. There will be a strong focus on the wider context of your role including safeguarding, understanding families in stress and the legal and ethical principles underpinning children’s healthcare. As with the level 4, you will practise a range of clinical skills underpinned by analysis of current evidence based practice. You will explore and debate factors affecting the quality of care delivery and identify strategies to support the enhancement of infants’ children, young people and families’ healthcare experience within the context of your own organisation.
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following list of OPTIONAL modules:
Wound Management 20 credits
This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to develop the core knowledge and skills necessary to work in the area of wound management. You will be introduced to the concepts of wound management and how they relate to your role as a trainee assistant practitioner.
When you have successfully completed this module you will have a more in-depth understanding of the anatomy and physiology of wound healing as well as developed your knowledge and skills in relation to wound assessment and treatment.
Negotiated Independent Study 20 credits
The aim of this module is to facilitate in-depth learning and knowledge of a specific area of your practice. You will be expected to choose an area of your practice that you would like to investigate in more detail, in negotiation with your workplace and module tutor. You will examine the research that has been written about your chosen subject and present your findings as a poster to your tutor and peers.
Understanding Inequalities in Health 20 credits
The aim of this module is to you gain understanding of health inequalities. It will enable you to apply some sociological theory to gain understanding of the nature of contemporary society and its influences on the perception of health and ill health. You will explore how society is structured in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, social class, family and households, and its impact on health and wellbeing. You will consider current research addressing health inequalities and government initiatives in response to this.
Autism and Mental Health 20 credits
This module has been designed to help you develop skills to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities, especially those diagnosed as being within the autistic spectrum. Autism is a spectrum of conditions characterised by social, communicative, sensory-motor and cognitive difficulties. The social and psychological consequences can be profound. Autism is a very much misunderstood condition that affects around 1% of the world’s population. Within the UK that amounts to 600,000 people, given a current UK population of around 60 million. If one takes into account the families of those on the spectrum, this figure of 600,000 is likely to become closer to 2.5 million. Consequently, many health and social care professionals are likely to engage with and provide support and care to those on the autism spectrum and their families in a wide range of community and hospital settings.
Health Promotion and Maternity Care 20 credits
Successful completion of this level 5 module will support your development as a Maternity Support Worker aiming to facilitate, by extending your knowledge and skills within the sphere of the maternity support worker role in promoting health by assisting women and their families to make optimal health and lifestyle choices.
Supporting the Transition to Parenting 20 credits
Successful completion of this level 5 module will support your development as a Maternity Support Worker enabling you to assist the midwife and mother with the transition to parenting
This module aims to support your development as a Maternity Support Worker for your role in assisting the midwife and parents, in promoting and facilitating the transition that women and men make when they become parents in a low risk setting, under the direction and supervision of the midwife.
Administration of Medication for Assistant Practitioners 20 credits
The module provides students with the opportunity to acquire and develop the knowledge and skills required to safely administer medication in their workplace.
As work-based learning remains the very essence of the programme, you will have the opportunity to combine your previous experience with your newly acquired knowledge and apply this immediately into your practice. Collaboration between the University and work-based partners is fundamental to the programme.
Transition to Studies in Healthcare 20 credits
The module aims to support you to gain an understanding of the theories that underpin nursing care across all fields of nursing including the code that directs the actions of registered nurses. You will also acquire and develop the knowledge and skills required to safely administer medication.
As work-based learning remains the very essence of the programme, you will have the opportunity to combine your previous experience with your newly acquired knowledge and apply this immediately into your practice. Collaboration between the University and work-based partners is fundamental to the programme.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Mental Health)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Advanced Clinical Skills in Mental Health Care 40 credits
Mental health care involves working with service users from diverse backgrounds with very varied needs. So, it is an area where your knowledge and skills will be tested and challenged. Completing this module will help you to meet those needs, provide evidence based and value based care that will enable you to function effectively as an Assistant Practitioner in a multidisciplinary care setting.
Wider Aspects of Mental Health 20 credits
This module is designed to enhance your learning experience whilst undertaking the mental health pathway of the Foundation Degree. It will enable you to learn about the wider aspects of mental health care and the skills required from practitioners from a wide range of care settings. In this way you will be able to develop an understanding of the breadth of mental health care and the services that can be offered to service users to enhance your ability to work in a collaborative fashion with other mental health services. It will also assist you to become more flexible and adaptable in the care that you offer.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Diagnostic Radiography)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Advanced Diagnostic Radiography for Assistant Practice 40 credits
On successful completion of this Level 5 module, you will have satisfied the module objectives, which will be the completion of study and assessment of Plain Image Radiography of the Skeleton, Thorax, Abdomen and Skull/Face. This will enable you to be able to undertake the majority of Plain Image Radiography that you will encounter in your clinical career. Also, you will be able to undertake a number of procedures using fluoroscopic and mobile imaging modalities. This will be limited by the Scope of Practise that your Employer utilises.
Service User Journey Through Imaging 20 credits
This module is not discipline specific and may be studied by anyone who works, or has an interest, in the process of Imaging in one of the offered pathways. The teaching and learning methods will be based in a combination of modality experts discussing the range of uses of their modality and framework required to analyse a condition and the medical management involved. A critique (analysis of the positive and/or negative viewpoints) of Imaging modalities will be a central part of the module, but that must be played against the needs of the service-user and their carers.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Mammography)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Mammography- Further Knowledge and Skills for Practice 40 credits
This module is appropriate for you if you are an Assistant Practitioner who is working in a breast imaging department and are already competent in performing the standard routine mammographic imaging of the breast i.e./ the Cranio-Caudal (CC) and Medio-Lateral Oblique (MLO) projections of the breast. Studying this level 5 module will give you the opportunity to acquire further skills and underpinning knowledge to enable you to produce modified or supplementary images of the breast as required by your role within your organisation and operating within the scope of practice of an Assistant Practitioner. You will be responsible for your own learning, and will reflect on your clinical experience during your academic studies, and similarly will apply knowledge to practice which will involve provision of effective care to a diverse range of service users from a range of cultural backgrounds.
Service User Journey in Imaging 20 credits
This module is not discipline specific and may be studied by anyone who works, or has an interest, in the process of Imaging in one of the offered pathways. The teaching and learning methods will be based in a combination of modality experts discussing the range of uses of their modality and framework required to analyse a condition and the medical management involved. A critique (analysis of the positive and/or negative viewpoints) of Imaging modalities will be a central part of the module, but that must be played against the needs of the service-user and their carers.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Maternity)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Advanced Knowledge, Skills and Assessment in Maternity Care 40 credits
Successful completion of this level 5 module will build on the knowledge and skills gained from prior completion of the level 4 module Knowledge, Skills and Assessment in Maternity Care, extending your understanding of more advanced midwifery care in your role as a maternity support worker.
Supporting the Transition to Parenting 20 credits
Successful completion of this level 5 module will support your development as a Maternity Support Worker enabling you to assist the midwife and mother with the transition to parenting
This module aims to support your development as a Maternity Support Worker for your role in assisting the midwife and parents, in promoting and facilitating the transition that women and men make when they become parents in a low risk setting, under the direction and supervision of the midwife.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Surgical Care Support)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Developing Perioperative Practice 40 credits
In your first year of the FdSc Health and Social Care programme you studied the fundamental principles of perioperative practice and identified how your role as a prospective Assistant Theatre Practitioner (Surgical Care Support) contributes to and functions within the multidisciplinary team. This module allows you to develop the knowledge and skills you acquired in the first year with clear links to other second year modules and enables you to critically explore the range of patient pathways within your specialist area of practice, to ensure you fully understand the patient journey and how practice can be adjusted to reflect patient’s individual needs.
Contemporary Influences in Perioperative Practice 20 credits
This module encourages you to develop an understanding of how perioperative practice is influenced by the contemporary evidence base and changing local, national and international health demands. As work-based learning remains the very essence of the programme, you will have the opportunity to combine your previous experience with your newly acquired knowledge and apply this immediately into your practice. Collaboration between the University and work-based partners is fundamental to the programme.
FdSc Health and Social Care (Learning Disabilities)
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following list of pathway-specific CORE modules:
Enhanced Skills for the Care of Individuals with a Learning Disability 40 credits
This module has been designed to help you develop skills to meet the health needs of people with learning disabilities, especially those with a profound and multiple learning disability.
It aims to provide a grounding to help you develop skills to meet the health needs of people with learning disabilities. The development of these clinical skills will provide the support that people with learning disabilities may require in order to have a good quality of life.
Autism and Mental Health 20 credits
This module has been designed to help you develop skills to meet the needs of people with learning disabilities, especially those diagnosed as being within the autistic spectrum. Autism is a spectrum of conditions characterised by social, communicative, sensory-motor and cognitive difficulties. The social and psychological consequences can be profound. Autism is a very much misunderstood condition that affects around 1% of the world’s population. Within the UK that amounts to 600,000 people, given a current UK population of around 60 million. If one takes into account the families of those on the spectrum, this figure of 600,000 is likely to become closer to 2.5 million. Consequently, many health and social care professionals are likely to engage with and provide support and care to those on the autism spectrum and their families in a wide range of community and hospital settings.
Level 4 (Mammography)
Download the Cert HE Mammography Course Specification here
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
Principles of Personal and Professional Development 40 credits
The aim of this module is to enable you to consolidate and further develop the personal and professional knowledge and skills that are necessary to deliver high quality health and social care.
This module focuses on helping you to develop new and existing skills and knowledge of the academic skills essential to achieve your learning goals in Higher Education. The module also concentrates on your existing clinical knowledge and skills and examines the role of the 6 C’s principles of effective care delivery (Cummings, 2012). Throughout the module you will be given the opportunity to reflect on your existing knowledge and skills, and identify areas in both your academic and clinical practice that you want to develop.
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology 20 credits
An appreciation of the principles of Anatomy and Physiology plays a central role in the understanding of the workings of the human body. This module will provide an awareness of key physiological systems ensuring you develop an ability to demonstrate the interplay of such systems to maintain the body in homoeostatic balance. This module will also aim to foster recognition of the importance of the underpinning theory that dictates clinical practise. For example enabling you to appreciate the critical awareness of blood pressure and linking the role of the cardiovascular and renal systems to control blood pressure.
Mammography – Principles and Practice 40 credits
This module is appropriate for Trainee Assistant Practitioners who are working in a Breast Imaging Department and will be undertaking the standard routine mammographic imaging of the breast. You will be responsible for your own learning, and will reflect on your clinical experience during your academic studies, and similarly will apply knowledge to practice which will involve provision of effective care to a diverse range of service users from a range of cultural backgrounds.
Physics for Radiography Practitioners 20 credits
This module is essential to enable your understanding of the theory and practical applications of physics in the context of radiography or radiotherapy. Radiation physics and the safe and legal use of ionising radiation is an essential aspect of the radiation disciplines. It involves the underlying principles of the nature of matter and associated principles and how that relates to radiation production and attenuation its application to imaging and therapeutic modalities.