About FdSc Professional Practice in Health and Social Care, FdSc - at The Sheffield College

FdSc Professional Practice in Health & Social Care

This flexible course validated by Sheffield Hallam University is a work based learning award which combines health and social care education with either existing employment or work placements to develop your skills and competencies for a wide range of roles across the health, social or community care sectors.

About the Course

This flexible course, validated by Sheffield Hallam University, is a work-based learning award that combines health and social care education with either existing employment or work placements to develop your skills and competencies for a wide range of roles across the health/social/community care sectors.

The course offers two routes; entrants already employed in assistant or support worker roles in health, social or community care can complete both the Higher Apprenticeship in Health (Assistant Practitioner) and the Foundation Degree. The course provides you with your continuing personal and professional development and, depending on your employer, would allow you to undertake a Band 4 Associate/Assistant role. 

Delivered over two years (full time) you will spend 2 days a week in college, as well as working at your placement. You will be expected to spend an equal amount of time split between college, placement and self-directed study. Feedback will account for approximately 5% of the course. 

Students MUST attain a work placement in a health and social care setting prior to enrolment on the course. Guidance can be given to students about how to do so. Prospective students should be aware that 400 hours of work experience is a mandatory requirement of this course. Students must be able to demonstrate potential to be caring and compassionate, and the ability to develop meaningful relationships with service users and carers. 

You will also need to obtain a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check prior to starting your placement. 

Key Units

Year 1

• Work Based Learning 1 - Academic
• Work Based Learning 1 - Practice
• Reflective & Personal Development Skills
• Essential Science for Person Centred Care
• Holistic Assessment, Delivery & Implementation of Health & Social Care Interventions
• Foundations for Effective Collaborative Practice

Year 2

• Work Based Learning 2 - Academic
• Work Based Learning 2 - Practice
• Promoting Health, Wellbeing & Independence
• Using and Evaluating Evidence to Inform Practice 
• Leadership & Management

Entry Requirements

Prospective students should hold one of the following:

• A minimum of 48 UCAS points (please see the UCAS website for further details about the updated tariff system) from A-Levels (including General Studies)
• Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised course 

You must also have:

• GCSE English Language/Literature and Maths at grade C or above OR
• Level 2 Adult Literacy/Numeracy; Level 2 Key Skills/Application of Number

Students MUST attain a work placement in a health and social care setting prior to enrolment on the course. Guidance can be given to students about how to do so.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate potential to be caring and compassionate and the ability to develop meaningful relationships with service users and carers.

Assessment

Assessment methods will include:

• Assessment of practice
• Written assignments
• Interviews
• Reflective portfolios
• Literature reviews
• Case studies
• Presentations 

Where does this Lead

On successful completion of the Foundation Degree you may be able to apply for a number of professional courses, providing you have appropriate work experience practice in a suitable setting relating to one of the following areas:

• BSc (Hons) Nursing [Adult]
• BA (Hons) Social Work
• BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
• BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography 
• BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy 

Many of these degrees may allow entry with advanced standing, meaning that you would join the second year of the degree course. This would be decided by assessment on an individual basis.

In addition to the above awards, a bespoke top-up degree is also being developed which will provide a route to achieving a full degree within one year after completion of the foundation degree. 

Future OpportunitiesTell Me More

Further Information

Additional information about higher education courses at The Sheffield College can be found here.

If you have any further queries please email the University Centre via heunit@sheffcol.ac.uk leaving your name, contact details, the title of the course you are interested in and a brief summary of your query. Alternatively, you can call the college on 0114 260 2600. 

How to Apply

Please note that applications for this course should be made through UCAS.

UCAS course application code: L5L5

College institution code: S22 

Extra Costs

Students must obtain a current DBS check, which is currently priced at £52.00.

Students can opt to study additional modules such as First Aid, Moving and Handling and others which may benefit professional practice. There is a charge for such modules of approximately £50, which is payable on registration onto the module.

You will also be encouraged to take part in optional educational study visits which are relevant to the programme, which will incur and additional cost.

Students in financial hardship can apply to the Learner Support Fund for help towards these course costs. 

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Entry requirements for this course

Contact The Sheffield College to find course entry requirements.

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