FdSc Health & Social Care Practitioner

This module provides underpinning foundations for formal learning in higher education, and establishes the principles of professional, work-based learning in the context of the your own workplace.

The module content includes understanding the self as a learner. It introduces theoretical models such as Kolb’s cycle of experiential learning and Schon’s reflection in and on action, with reference to routine practice and critical incidents. It introduces study skills and techniques that will support your studies at foundation degree level and beyond.

The module’s key concepts include personal responsibilities and professional ethics for work-based learners, self-reflection, time management strategies and management of information. It includes an introduction to academic writing, including accurate citation and referencing techniques.

This module adds subject-specific concepts to the generic principles of academic and work-based learning in higher education.

You will begin to utilise academic sources to discover a range of perspectives, and begin to present your ideas. The module content introduces historical and contemporary issues, debates and influences on the delivery of Health and Social Care and begins to address the diversity of Health and Social Care and public health contexts in the UK. The module introduces the phenomena of social inequality and the social determinants of health, well-being, and illness, within the context of contemporary health and social care practice.

The module aims to raise awareness of different ideologies of welfare in the UK. It discusses contemporary political debate and legislative changes and their potential impact on health and social care provision.

This module emphasises ways in which personal perspectives connect with professional practice. You will have opportunities to learn about values, ethics and principles of practice, self-care/preservation, and the principle of empowerment. A key skill in this module is self-reflection, to promote your emerging sense of professional ethics and the values that underpin best practice.

The module content includes:

• ethical theories

• philosophical perspectives on practice

• holistic approaches to care that support individuals to express their wishes, needs and preferences i.e. person-centred care

• respect for diversity and the impact of discrimination on individuals’ health and wellbeing, dilemmas in challenging discrimination

• self-concept, self-esteem, self-confidence and identity

• legislation and national policy initiatives including data protection, access to Information and disclosure of information.

The aim of this module is to provide you with the opportunity to explore three levels of collaboration; firstly, at service level between service users and professionals; secondly at interprofessional level between practitioners and thirdly at organisational and policy level.

You will investigate the positive and negative outcomes of partnership working and collaboration with service users, professionals and organisations across a range of provisions in the health and social care services, including statutory, non-statutory and voluntary organisations.

You will consider different concepts and models of partnership working in health and social care including, horizontal and vertical as well as multi-disciplinary and multi-agency working.

Empowerment of service users (developing independence and autonomy) versus ‘expert/medical’ models of health are explored.

Legislation and the students’ understanding of their legal obligations to work collaboratively or in partnership with other providers across health and social care and beyond are discussed.

This module will develop your understanding of the sociological and psychological concepts that affect day-to-day life for individuals and families across the human lifespan.

The module introduces a range of theoretical perspectives (for example, feminism, Marxism, and functionalism) which attempt to explain social pressures and divisions that impact individual and family life, and lifespan development.

You will also learn about psychological principles and theories related to lifespan development. You will consider contemporary factors that affect family life, for example, family dynamics, stress, criminal justice, domestic violence and abuse, and the risks and barriers to healthy lifespan development.