Course Description
This course builds on existing knowledge and experience and is aimed at providing the student with advanced knowledge, skills and competences required to work and progress in the caring profession within the disability sector. The overall objectives of the Award are to engage students in learning that is relevant to their profession and to further develop a range of skills and techniques, personal skills and attributes necessary for a successful career.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course programme, students will be able to:
- Understand the context of supporting individuals with disabilities
- Understand the importance of diversity, equality and inclusion.
- Understand the context of supporting skills for everyday life.
- Understand principles for supporting independence in the tasks of daily living.
- Understand the role that leisure activities play in a disability setting.
- Understand the role of learning and development activities in meeting the needs of a person with a disability.
- Understand the importance of reflection on, evaluation and improvement of personal and professional practice.
- Use effective communication and build relationships in disability support.
- Support individuals to identify and plan for leisure activities.
- Facilitate learning and development activities with individuals.
- Support individuals to manage their finances.
- Effective team and joint working in disability support.
- Raising awareness of disabilities.
- Promote communication in health care settings.
- Promote and implement health and safety in health and social care.
Target Candidates
The Award is aimed at students who already possess a Level 3 qualification in health and social care or relevant experience and wish to develop their knowledge and at a higher level in order to progress in their career towards focusing on supporting individuals with disabilities and challenging behaviours.
| Course Code | Duration | Credit Value | Next Intake | FT/PT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LW/HSC/004 | 3 months | 12 ECTS | April 2025 | PT |
| Contact Hours | Placement Hours | Self Study Hours | Assessment Hours | Total Learning Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 55 | 141 | 44 | 300 |
Mode of Training
Lectures and workshops
Assessment
Assignments, Case studies,
Portfolio of evidence.
Awarding Body
Learning Works
Course Structure
Module 1: Introduction to the Context of Supporting Individuals with Disabilities (1 ECTS)
This unit explores the meaning of disability and considers issues closely linked with disability support. These include an awareness of how the attitudes and beliefs of others affect individuals who have disabilities. The unit introduces themes of inclusion, human rights, advocacy, empowerment and active participation and also considers the central place of communication in working with individuals who have disabilities.
Module 2: Communication in a Disability Setting (3 ECTS)
This unit aims to enable the learner to use effective communication skills to develop and sustain relationships with service users, carers and colleagues. It also looks at how to support service users in building and managing their social networks because the strength of an individual’s social network is a key factor in maintaining an individual’s well-being and mental health. It provides the learner with the knowledge and skills that address personal interaction and the use of special methods and aids to promote communication.
Module 3: Managing Risk, Emergency and Crisis in a Disability Support Setting (2 ECTS)
This unit looks at the area of risk management by providing the learner with the knowledge and skills to effectively analyse and mitigate risk within the context of disability support. The unit also looks at the procedures and mechanisms available for the support of an individual with a disability in an emergency or crisis situation.
Module 4: Ethics in a Disability Support Setting (1 ECTS)
This unit introduces students to the ethical principles and moral dilemmas within the context of supporting persons with mental health problems and how these are reflected in legislation. In parallel the unit will focus on the important themes related with ethical approach. These include dignity, quality of life, and the rights of the individual.
Module 5: Practical Care for Individuals with a Disability (4 ECTS)
This unit introduces learners with the knowledge and skills required to reflect on, evaluate one’s own professional practice with the intention to identify and develop best practices. This unit also looks at the importance of supervision, feedback and the formalisation of such practices.
Module 6: Best Practices in the Context of Supporting of Individuals with Disabilities (1 ECTS)
This unit is delivered through a series of interactive teaching sessions with an emphasis on group activities. Case studies and work examples will be discussed throughout the unit.
Entry Requirements
- Learners need to satisfy the following criteria:
- Ages 18 +
- Be able to communicate both orally and written in the English Language
- Hold a clean Police Conduct Certificate
- Hold a MQF Level 3 qualification in Healthcare or equivalent or;
- Have at least 1 year practical work experience in a related position.
For applicants who meet the criteria of admittance by experience only, a basic level of English which is demonstrated through the appropriate qualifications such as an ‘O’ level in English, a school leaving certificate with English indicated as a core subject or equivalent is needed.