HNC Social Services

Overview

Why study at West?

Are you interested in a career in Health and Social Care, and do you believe that everyone is entitled to receive high quality care and support?

If you answered yes – then you will learn first-hand from our highly qualified and professional team of Lecturers who have a wealth of experience working in Health and Social Care settings. The team will provide you with a clear pathway for study in a variety of care related subjects developing your knowledge and skills that will prepare you for future learning, work, and life.

Our dedicated practical rooms offer a simulated environment to develop your skills, such as first aid, and include digital enabled care. Our department works closely with industry partners such as NHS Scotland, Quarriers, and local authorities. We also have a close affiliation with universities such as GCU, UWS and Stirling.

In choosing this course it will allow you to shape your career in Care and work towards your goals in whichever direction you wish to take. This may include Support Worker, Key Worker, Team Leader, supporting individuals with learning disabilities, older adults, working with children and young people, mental health and individuals living with addiction issues.

What will I learn?

This course prepares you work effectively in a range of care settings with a variety of service users. You will gain an understanding of the values and principles of social care and will learn how to integrate those values with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop as a Social Services Practitioner.

You'll learn about:

• Care in Contemporary Society
• Leadership
• Health Well-being and Safeguarding
• Lifespan Development and Life Stages
• Care practice
• Loss, Grief and Bereavement

This course also includes a mandatory work placement where you will be required to work shift patterns that may include evening/weekend hours. You will complete SVQ L3 units x 3 during placement where you will learn about:

• Promoting health, safety and security in the work setting
• Developing your practice through reflection and learning
• Promoting effective communication

What qualifications do I need?

You will need:

• Two Highers (or equivalent) at grade C, including English
• or Higher Health or Social Care at grade C or above
• or SVQ 3 Social Services and Health

Mature students with care work experience may be considered without the above qualifications and will be required to complete a piece of written work during the interview process.

It is preferred that all applications have some care experience, either paid or volunteering.

To be considered for a place on the course, you must:

• Provide two satisfactory references
• Attend an interview and provide proof of your qualifications
• You must be eligible to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme

A personal statement on your application is mandatory for this course and should include the following:.

• Why do you want to study a care course?
• What field of care do you want to work in – healthcare, social care, or childcare?
• What skills and qualities do you possess and how could these be used in a care setting?
• Do you have any care / work experience to date?
• Any other information that would support your application

What can I do after?

After successfully completing this course, you will have the skills, knowledge and qualification needed to gain a Practitioner role in Social Care. You will also be able to register with the Scottish Social Services Council to work in either residential childcare or adult care services, or you could develop your skills further by studying another course, such as:

• A degree level course in Social Work or Nursing
• An Integrated Public Service Degree programme
• A degree level course in the Social Sciences, including Psychology

Please be aware that each university entry criteria may vary in regards to maths or numeracy You are advised to find out your preferred university’s entry requirements prior to commencing this course.

SCQF

7

Programme Information

Start: August

End: June

Duration: 1 Year

Additional Information

Our students go on to achieve great things, but don't just take our word for it

Billie McGaughey