FdSc – Professional Practice in Health and Social Care

The Foundation Degree, Professional Practice in Health and Social Care is a level 5 qualification (entering at level 4) which is designed to develop your skills and competencies for a wide range of roles across the health, social or community care sectors.

On the course, students study key modules to enable progression into a range of professions including nursing, paramedics and social work.

For progression to the linked professional programmes, you complete the full 2 year foundation degree here at Doncaster, applying to transition into the second year of the professional programme.
You can apply to any University for the professional courses, however, our partnership with Sheffield Hallam allows you to be supported in your application and progression to their programme. Progression is subject to successful application and interview.

There are a range of placement opportunities, with students being able to undertake voluntary placements, enabling students to make links with placement areas, or seek paid opportunities. Students are responsible for seeking and securing placements whilst on the programme.

Students are able to take advantage of current work commitments, allowing flexibility in their study. Students are required to complete a minimum of 200 hours placement per year, however, more hours can be logged and utilised in your transition to professional programmes e.g. nursing.

The modules making up the foundation degree are identified below:
Year One Level 4 (Certificate Stage)
Work Based Learning 1: Academic (20 Credits)
Work Based Learning 1: Practice (20 Credits)
Reflective and Personal Development Skills (20 Credits)
Essential Sciences for Person Centred Care (40 Credits)
Integrated Holistic Assessment and Delivery of Health & Social Care Interventions (20 Credits)

Year Two Level 5 ( Intermediate, Diploma Stage; DipHE)
Work Based Learning 2: Academic (20 Credits)
Work based Learning 2: Practice (20 Credits)
Leadership and Management (20 Credits)
Promoting Health, Wellbeing and Independence (40 credits)
Using and Evaluating Evidence to inform practice (20 Credits)

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time

The Foundation Degree Professional Practice in Health and Social Care provides a principal route for the training and education of Assistant Practitioners. NHS Employers (2015) identified the Assistant Practitioner as non-occupational specific role that has developed to assist organisations to deliver high quality and patient centred services in a variety of settings.
An Assistant Practitioner is a worker who competently delivers health and social care to and for people. They are non-registered practitioners who have the required level of knowledge and skill beyond that of traditional healthcare assistant or support workers and expected to undertake more complex tasks (Skills for Health, 2009).

The course is assessed through essays, presentations, interviews and practice assessment. Assessment methods are subject to change dependent on the validating partner.

Normally GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics or equivalents (please see below), plus one of the following
48 UCAS points (we accept General Studies)
Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course

We also welcome applications from people of any age who might not meet the standard entry criteria. We would expect to see evidence of competency to pursue the course successfully.

GCSE English and Maths equivalents:
Level 2 Adult Numeracy/Literacy
Level 2 Key Skills/Application of Number
equivalency test from http://www.equivalencytesting.co.uk

Personal qualities
You must be able to demonstrate your potential to be caring and compassionate and the ability to develop meaningful relationships with service users and carer.

Skill requirements
You need to demonstrate an ability to study academic subjects at degree level, debate topics and issues, draw on conclusions from written material, study independently as well as a member of a group, use computers and technology associated with contemporary teaching, learning and assessment methods, and successfully complete a range of assignments including researched essays and practical examinations. These are normally achieved by completing academic study at level three or above in the last four years.

As part of this programme of study you will be required to have a valid enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. You will be required to pay the cost of this. A DBS must be in place before you start your placement. You may be able to supply an existing DBS but this must be within 3 years of issue.

On the course students study key modules to enable progression into a range of professions including nursing, paramedics and social work. This is supported by the link to professional programmes at Sheffield Hallam University including:

– BSc (Honours) Nursing (Adult)
– BA (Honours) Social Work
– BSc (Honours) Physiotherapy
– BSc (Honours) Diagnostic Radiography
– BSc (Honours) Occupational Therapy
– BSc (Honours) Paramedic Science