The course has been designed to give you a thorough grounding in key aspects of health and social care practice with `real practice issues having informed the curriculum design and the teaching, learning and assessment approaches. The course has a strong vocational orientation with real world practice integrated with academic theory. Application of current knowledge to practice is central. During the course you will be building upon any work experience you already have to improve your employability and career prospects.

Units

• Health And Social Care Practice Skills (ASS078-1) Compulsory
• Introducing Health And Social Care (ASS080-1) Compulsory
• Introduction To Academic Study And Work-Based Learning In Health And Social Care (ASS079-1) Compulsory
• The Law And Contemporary Social Issues (ASS081-1) Compulsory
• Understanding The Human Services (ASS066-1) Compulsory
• Comparing Health And Welfare Systems Globally (ASS087-2) Compulsory
• Evidence-Based Health And Social Care Practice (ASS088-2) Compulsory
• Managing Work-Based Projects In Health And Social Care (ASS089-2) Compulsory
• Mental Health And Society (ASS091-2) Compulsory
• Multi-Agency Working In Practice (ASS090-2) Compulsory

The assessments are closely aligned to the course learning outcomes and graduate impact statements with a range of assessment methods, for example, action plans, reports, case studies, posters, portfolios, self-reviews, oral presentations, and closed book examinations.

Assessments will also develop key skills needed for working in health and social care settings, such as the ability to communicate clearly, self-appraise practice and be a team player. Most units include elements of individual and group activity to reflect the type of work undertaken in an organisation though if group work is used as part of the units assessment strategy, it is primarily individually assessed often with a requirement for reflection on the process and learning from collaborative work. You will also be assessed in your ability to become an independent learner, to reflect and to self-appraise your skills development and evaluate your learning and its relevance to professional and vocational practice using evidence from your course work and workplace.

You will be required to ensure that the work you submit for assessment is your own. All coursework submitted is subject to university procedures for the detection of plagiarism.

You will be given feedback from your tutors and on occasions, from peers, indicating your strengths and areas for improvement aimed at supporting your learning and progress towards future assessments. There will be often input from employers, supervisor and/or work place mentor during the assessment process dependent upon specific arrangements made in any unit.

A close relationship between practice, theory and vocational considerations is present throughout the course with an emphasis on applying theory to practice through work-based learning. One of the critical skills sought by employers is the ability to work effectively as part of a team and to achieve objectives through partnership working, something you will experience in most units. Employability is core to the course and will be developed, for example, by involving you in the application of concepts and theories in practice-based scenarios/experiences. Invaluable inputs will be provided by employers with guest lectures and visits to organisations.

Many of the opportunities to be found in the School of Applied Social Studies employability maps (http://www.beds.ac.uk/student-experience2/studying-at-bedfordshire/getting-ready-for-work/employable/health-and-social-sciences) are also available to students studying at a college. The Employability Maps for `Applied Social Studies show the activities and opportunities available to aid students in building the skills required for the career paths they are seeking in four domains:

• Personal and Professional Development e.g. guided time management and reflection (curricular); opportunities to organize conferences of personal and professional interest (co-curricular); community volunteering (Extra-curricular)
• Professional Recognition and Endorsement e.g. external guest lecturers (curricular); Co-student mentorship in local organisations (co-curricular); HEAR (Extra-curricular)
• Portfolio Experience; e.g. assignments based on real life issues (curricular); employer collaboration for work opportunities (co-curricular); sports teams and activities (Extra-curricular)
• Practitioner and Transferable Skills e.g. group work and problem solving skills developed (curricular); course representatives (co-curricular); careers support for 1 year after graduation (Extra-curricular)