FdSc Integrated Practice (Early Years and Children) & Integrated Practice (Young People)

Summary 2012/13

• Prepares you for the expanding Children’s Workforce reform bringing together health, education and social work around the needs of children, young people and families;
• Provides a detailed understanding and experience of multi-professional working;
• Enhances employability as job roles increasingly demand people who can work across professional boundaries.

To support the challenges of the Children's Workforce reform, the Foundation Degrees in Integrated Practice have been developed to enable you to acquire the skills and knowledge to work with children and young people within the new integrated service. Pathways are available in 'Early Years and Children' and 'Young People'.

Please note that the location of study for some modules may be at any one of our satellite centres.

2012 Entry Requirements

A typical offer is expected to be a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points from one A level, or equivalent Level 3 qualification, in a related subject. Exceptionally, five GCSEs at grade C or above, or equivalent, will be accepted. Alternatively, you may be able to demonstrate your ability through accreditation of prior/experiential learning (APL/APEL).

Details

Who is this course for?

This Foundation Degree is for people who currently work, or wish to work, with children or young people in the voluntary sector, schools, children's centres and nurseries, or as a play leader, family support worker or learning mentor.

What will I gain from this programme?

In addition to entering higher education and experiencing university life, you will learn to deliver the key outcomes for children and young people from Every Child Matters - the Government's change for children initiative - that will underpin all services for early years, children and families. These are: be healthy; stay safe; enjoy and achieve; make a positive contribution; and achieve economic wellbeing.

You will also learn to enhance your practice, work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, understand national and local policy initiatives and communicate skilfully with, and on behalf of, clients, families, carers, services and colleagues.

How we will support you

You will have a personal tutor who will support you throughout the programme, module coordinators to support you for each module of the programme, and practice placement mentors who will support your learning and development whilst you are on placement.

What will I study?

The programme features a mixture of theory and practice, with placement in your current workplace if you have one. Should you not be presently employed in the children or young person’s workforce, we will find you a placement in order to carry out the practice elements of the course.

You will be introduced to study skills, human development, the working environment and communication skills. In Year 1, you will also study the individual in the social context, health and wellbeing, working partnerships and the vulnerable child/young person.

In Year 2 you will examine social inclusion, promoting health and wellbeing, meeting complex needs, ethical issues and leadership and management.

How will I study?

Seminars, lectures, work-based learning and tutorials will be used to deliver this programme.

Who will be teaching me?

If you are enrolling at Southport College, you will study the first year of the programme at Southport and the second year at Edge Hill University’s Ormskirk Campus. For those enrolling at Riverside College and Holy Cross College, both years are completed at the respective college. If you enrol at Edge Hill University, both years are completed at the Ormskirk Campus. However, all students, irrespective of their place of study, will be invited to the Ormskirk campus for various events / conferences throughout the course.

How will I be assessed?

During the modules you will be assessed in theory or theory and practice.

What are my career prospects?

This programme provides a valuable qualification for people planning to start a career in early years, children's or young people's services. It is an equally valuable professional development programme for anyone already working in these areas.

Further study at Edge Hill University

Once you have successfully completed either pathway of this Foundation Degree, you can progress on to:

• BSc (Hons) Integrated Children and Young People's Practice
• BSc (Hons) Leadership and Management in Children's Services
• BA (Hons) Playwork Interventions
• BSc (Hons) Support for Families and Communities

Successful completion of the Integrated Practice (Early Years and Children) pathway also provides you with a route towards achieving Early Years Professional Status.

How do I apply?

Apply online through UCAS. Visit www.ucas.ac.uk.

See our How to Apply pages for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

For academic year 2012/13, Edge Hill University will charge £6,000pa for full-time foundation degrees. Eligible students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000.

Eligible full-time students can also apply for a maintenance grant, subject to household income, and a non-means-tested loan to help with living costs.

Edge Hill University offers a range of scholarships for prospective full-time students. These include £2,000 Entrance Scholarships rewarding determination, commitment and achievement in creative arts, performing arts, sport and volunteering. Eligible entrants with outstanding grades are recognised through the £1,000 High Achievers Scholarship.

The University will also be offering awards, worth £3,000 in cash benefits and fee/accommodation waivers for academic year 2012/13, to eligible prospective full-time students through the National Scholarship Programme.

For more information on scholarships, including eligibility criteria for each award, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/scholarships.

To find out more about fees, grants and loans for academic year 2012/13, visit http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/foundationfees2012.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many national careers fairs and UCAS events.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leaders about this course, please contact:

• Carole Wilson, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 657016
• Email: wilsonc@edgehill.ac.uk

Or

• Pat Hosgood, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 657017
• Email: hosgoodp@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

Year 1

FDH1100 Essential Study Skills for Undergraduates sets the context for study by offering you the opportunity to examine learning styles and activities, which may enhance your personal / educational development. You will be encouraged to identify your individual needs, backgrounds and experiences in relation to study skills and explore how these may be developed within your programme of study. This module will enable you to develop advanced study skills to enhance your time and organisational management and thus prepare you to take advantage of further studies and new situations.

FDH1101 Communication Skills. Effective communication skills are essential for anyone dealing with the public in order to work collaboratively as members of a team. You will be supported to develop self-awareness in communication skills by facilitating your listening skills and the ability to empathise. The skills of giving unconditional positive regard and how to act as an advocate for others will also be addressed.

FDH1102/1143 Health & Social Wellbeing and Identification of the Vulnerable Child / Young Person aims to develop the skills and knowledge of those who work within a wide range of organisations. The module will help you recognise the importance of accurate and relevant assessment in order to identify strengths and needs in all children. You will also begin to analyse the use of the assessment process in order to identify vulnerability and utilise the knowledge and skills of the multi-professional team to ensure the safeguarding and protection of all children (DfES, 2003; DH, 2006)

FDH 1103 Child & Young Person Development in the Social Context will develop your knowledge and understanding of all aspects of normal development in children and young people. You will recognise how external and internal influences will affect the ability of children and young people to reach their full potential.

FDH 1104 Partnerships within the Working Environment will encourage you to reflect upon policies and procedures within your own working environment, how they are communicated and the impact upon staff, children / young people, their families and carers and other professionals that attend your workplace. Furthermore, it discusses the rationale for partnership working in order to achieve the five core outcomes of the Every Child Matters (2003) and allows you to identify your role as an Integrated Practitioner.

Year 2

FDH 2100 Legal and Ethical Perspectives develops awareness of accountability and accountable practice within legal, professional and ethical frameworks pertinent to your specific practice and client base. In addition it will encourage you to reflect on your personal and professional abilities and boundaries and that of the multi-professional team.

FDH 2101/2159 Behaviour Management examines children’s behaviour and its relationship to work-based settings. You will explore the many different ways that strategies can be utilised in managing children’s behaviour, identify barriers to effective communication with behaviour management and appraise the implications of national, local and legal frameworks to address the needs of children with behavioural issues.

FDH 2102/2160 Health Promotion enables you to analyse the health promotion programmes that are specifically designed for children and young people. The aims of these are to enhance the health and well being of children and young people as well as reduce any risk-taking behaviours. Subject matter will include dietary patterns, physical activity, keeping children and young people safe, avoiding smoking, harmful substances and recreational drugs. The ability to achieve a health lifestyle for children and young people with special circumstances will also be a pivotal area of study within this module.

FDH 2103/2161 Social Inclusion and the Child / Young Person focuses you on the possibilities of social exclusion happening in the care of the child, young person or their families. You will consider how social inclusion may be achieved. The module will review current government and local policies to include children, young people and their families in order to meet Every Child Matters outcomes. Barriers to social inclusion and links to student’s roles and their workplaces are considered and how you will manage the changes in the workplace will be investigated.

FDH 2077 Negotiated Learning Shell Module provides an essential framework of approved study within diverse working environments. It allows you and the employer an opportunity to collaboratively explore and develop specific learning, which is appropriate to your needs, but is determined by workforce development and demands. The module will ensure the maximum potential for study within the working environments whilst simultaneously ensuring a rigorous framework for learning. This empowers you to make a choice regarding methods of assessment and gives you the opportunity to apply and develop skills necessary for the integrated workforce.