Social Care

rustopher

Not sure about any of those qualifications in particular. I am looking at Social Care in Galway University as a distance course. It is a 4 year degree. Any one got any info on this course?? Is it difficult to take on this kind of course (distance learning) without the attention of a tutor??

Moonbeam

The Degree is a BA honours in social care.
It is distance learning but you are expected to attend classes about once a month too,in galways this year these are during the day on a monday and in portarlington they run 7-10 on a Monday.
Do you work in the social care field?

rustopher

No, I did do the Special Needs Assistant course and I still work part time in as a teacher assistant which I got through work experience. It is too hard to get full time work so in the mean time I thought it would be a good time to take on a degree course as i would like to further my studies in this field.
Its just that i have heard mixed reviews on the course. I like that it is a distance course, so I could study in my own time.. If I motivate myself!

rustopher

Portarlington sounds like a better option since I am in the south. The course is also in Waterford but only as a Diploma course. I think it is expected you attend once a week???! Not too sure.

Moonbeam

Once every 4-5 weeks.This year it is on a Monday at 18:45 in Portarlington and a monday during the day in Galway.

Dione

I am applying to this course also and I have had friends do distance learning courses before and they have said its hard to study on ur own but usually da lecturers are easy to contact and work thru any queries or problems.

with things like boards it may help to get in touch wit other students and help each other out... jus a suggestion

Moonbeam

They brought in a new rule that if you miss 3 of your lectures they kick you off the course.
I would look at all your options before doing this course I am not too impressed with it.
The content and materials are very good it is just the rest that I am unimpressed with.

macisback

You do not have to leave the course after missing three workshops its only if you don't get in touch with the tutor and inform them why you have not attended. Its a very easy going course.

macisback

I'm on the course in Port and the tutor did explain that we must get in touch I have missed more than three classes due to weather, family etc and there was no problem I just had to email her. Its a very low contact course and you have to stay in touch with them if you want to keep up. All courses have a minimum attendance rate, its not really that you are off the course but if you don't get their minimum grade you wouldn't have much grounds for a re-mark on your work if you haven't written to explain why you are missing. Its all in the handbook.

Moonbeam

Yeah it looks like some of the stuff has been retracted and they are being more facilitating now:)

Catzz

I am thinking of doing the Social Care course in NUI Galway. It is done through distance learning. Is this a fully accreditated course. It is a level 8 degree. I have heard that it isn't recognised by all employers. Can anyone clarify this for me.

Moonbeam

It is fully recognised as a degree and by employers.
It is worth taking in to account that there is quite a bit of compulsory class time too.

Catzz

I rang NUI Galway today about the BA Social Care course done through distance learning. They said it is recognised by the college but it is not an accreditated course. They are trying to get it registered but there is no guarantee that it will get accreditated and it could take a few years. I don't fancy paying out all that money for the course if it is not recognised.

Moonbeam

Now I am lost, in what way do you want it to be recognised?

http://www.nuigalway.ie/adulteducation/programmes/diploma_social_care.html

Is it social work you want to do rather then social care?
There is quite a huge difference between them and if it is social work that you are interested in then take a look at http://www.nswqb.ie/

Catzz

Social Care i would like to get in to. It's the Institute of Technology that have had the recognised courses. I was talked to someone else in relation to this and he said the registration process for social care practice is only slowly developing and no courses have been 'approved' at this stage. He said that is is recognised as an NUI degree, by NUI and presumably the DEPT of Education and Science.
The Insitute of Technology sector only have been 'recognised' as bacic qualifications by the Health boards/HSE with Level 7 ordinary degree as the baseline. Many other employers of social care practitioners have followed the same line. NUIG is not currently a member of the umbrella body of the Irish Association of Social Care Educators (IASCE). But it has applied to join.
The brothers of charity look at the people that have to Institute qualifications. Haven't been in touch with any other employers.

I would like to do this course myself but not sure about it all now.

owla

Hi Catzz
I was wondering did you do the social care course in the end?
There will be no problem with the course once Coru are up and going but that could take years as there is no funding... this is my understanding.
so help out there anyone..... please confirm someone found a job with the diploma or degree in social care from NUIG? From what i can see it is only good for continuing education.... but i want a job! I am doing this course at the mo.

You will get a job in social care with it...but the sort of work experience you have will be very important, as well as the degree you relay need to have worked in the area to get a job.

mimmi

This area is a mess, there is so much miss information and some employers continue to say there is an 'approved list' - it's just wrong.

Social Care Registration Board has been appointed but it is not yet in action. Therefore qualifications which are required for Registration have not yet been identified. CORU will acknowledge that employers are listing ‘grandparenting qualifications’ (i.e. courses which have been offered in the past such as the Dip in ChildCare) as requirements for employment purposes but say that they are not de riguer as registration processes have not yet been agreed.

I think if you study a HETAC Social Care course to at least Level 7 and show that you have experience, then you should be OK but be prepared to set a few employers straight if they are still cribbing old information.

owla

yes but this is not a hetac course....

mimmi

owla wrote: »

yes but this is not a hetac course....

OK so an NQF Level 7 degree minimum.

The NUI Galway Social Care Course will still be mapped onto the National Qualifications Framework - NQF, just as a HETAC award is. The degree will have ECTS points etc

Just as an update and I hope this dose not put people off the NUI Galway course...the HSE are telling employers that only HETAC accredited courses will do.

owla

of course its going to put people off the course! how do you know the HSE are telling people this? What kind of politics are involved? Help someone! We are all learning the same thing, how can the HSE draw a blanket on the course?

I think its just handy for the HSE to say it has to be HETAC that just the way it is the HSE doesn't have the time and personnel to go through every qualifiedly themselves ...I do think it will be sorted when the NUIG course is mapped on the NFQ...

owla

hi mariaalice
have you done the diploma / degree in social care yourself?

Yes but I have other qualifactions as well ....I was working as a house parent ( just shows you how old I am )

owla

So does your employer recognise your qualification? By the way I'm sure that the dip/degree is on the NFQ as any other uni course. Just that the employers don 't want to see it.

annacanna

im looking into doing a social studies/social care course sept 2012 and im really confused, where is the best place to do this course that will give a qualification that is reconised by all employers HSE and private??

ive to move to do the course so it dosent really matter to much where it is but would rather the west or midlands.
im a mature student (25 and a single mother)

thanks

rustopher

Then u should go with NUI Galway.. its just once a month, no need to travel far, it is a university so enough said. I agree that what matters is how much much work experience you have!! This is what employers look for.. thats if u are eligable.. although there is a girl in my class who had no experience at all!!!..

annacanna

does nui also have a full time course or even gmit? im starting to think that part time wont suit me, doubt i can movitate myself that much

owla

Create links within the class and that's no prob, once you need motivation make contact. The tutors are great and make it interesting,

mimmi

mariaalice wrote: »

Just as an update and I hope this dose not put people off the NUI Galway course...the HSE are telling employers that only HETAC accredited courses will do.

Maybe someone should tell CORU to tell the HSE to stop putting out misinformation - their in NO 'approved' list of qualifications for Social Care, the HSE is perpetuating this myth.:mad:

owla

I gather social care is way down the agenda in CORU ? They have very little funding..... why won't anyone in the HSE tell us why they have a problem with the qualification.

rustopher

as was mentioned before its not a hectic course, I dont see how full time can help u still need to do all the assignments yourself. When i'm in doubt about something I contact some of the girls in my class and they do same... no problem. Maybe in the degree yr will find tough but thats to be expected.:cool:

owla

hi rustopher
are you working in social care and if so how doe s your employer feel about the nui qualification?
I am doing this course too but concerned about the fact that HSE are not giving people jobs.
Is this true?

mimmi

owla wrote: »

I gather social care is way down the agenda in CORU ? They have very little funding..... why won't anyone in the HSE tell us why they have a problem with the qualification.

It's an important area to get straight re Registration but there is no one single lead body in this area, so it's a tough one to sort.

Getting a straight answer from the HSE wont be easy...is it ever?

mammabee

rustopher wrote: »

Then u should go with NUI Galway.. its just once a month, no need to travel far, it is a university so enough said. I agree that what matters is how much much work experience you have!! This is what employers look for.. thats if u are eligable.. although there is a girl in my class who had no experience at all!!!..

I just finished 1st year in this course and it was two mondays a month.

owla

What I want to know is who out there has a job with this qualification... either degree or diploma.

mammabee

owla wrote: »

What I want to know is who out there has a job with this qualification... either degree or diploma.[/QU


The course is only finished its fifth year so when I started the 1st group of about 12 graduated, (honours degree level)so there is not many who can tell you the answer to that question, hope someone does though cos I would like to know myself. I will finish it regardless now, im sure I'll pick up something. Its an honours university degree, it has to turn up something!! I dont just want to be working in a nursing home though, dont need a fe~kin degree for that!

rustopher

I am working in this area but not from this course. I agree its honors university degree and should be qualified in something more than working in nursing home. I'm sure something will come of it! Just keep cv updated wit work/w experience in this area!!!!!!!!!!!:rolleyes:

mammabee

rustopher wrote: »

I am working in this area but not from this course. I agree its honors university degree and should be qualified in something more than working in nursing home. I'm sure something will come of it! Just keep cv updated wit work/w experience in this area!!!!!!!!!!!:rolleyes:

Yes im going to stay upbeat about it anyway, I mean I have read other peoples comments on who recognises this qualification and I have researched job positions and they all say applicants must have a 'third level qualification in social care' So Im sure that includes this course! Of course I think experience counts for a lot in social care positions anyway, a third level qualification is what they look for also, but experience seems to be a must have. Hopefully we all get work after it all anyway. I say to anyone thinking about the course, just do it. An NUIG qualification is nothing to be laughed at!:)

3schweine

Hello everybody,
originally I'm from Germany but living in Ireland since about 3 years now. I'm 42, have two kids and since my husband lost his job, I work fulltime in a local nursing home. I really like my job and the work with the elderly but - to be honest - it's physically so hard and it's not easy to live of 9,50 Euro/hour. :mad:Although a lot of people gave me the advice to go back to Germany, I like it here and it would not be fair to pull my kids out of school again. Meanwhile they speak better english than german, they have their friends and they want to stay.
I've just completed a FETAC 5 major award in healthcare support, all modules with distinction and I must admit that I really enjoyed going back to school and study. I always thought my english would not be good enough but my tutor convinced me to go for a degree. Well - now I'm really thinking of it.:) My only worry is the workload. My research did not give me information about it. Can anybody - who does/did the pt long distance BA social care - give me an idea how many hours/week I will need to study? Is it possible with 2 kids, a full time job but a supportive husband to manage it?
I would be more than happy if anbody here could give me an answer.
Thank you soooooooo much in advance.

Birthe

mammabee

3schweine wrote: »

Hello everybody,
originally I'm from Germany but living in Ireland since about 3 years now. I'm 42, have two kids and since my husband lost his job, I work fulltime in a local nursing home. I really like my job and the work with the elderly but - to be honest - it's physically so hard and it's not easy to live of 9,50 Euro/hour. :mad:Although a lot of people gave me the advice to go back to Germany, I like it here and it would not be fair to pull my kids out of school again. Meanwhile they speak better english than german, they have their friends and they want to stay.
I've just completed a FETAC 5 major award in healthcare support, all modules with distinction and I must admit that I really enjoyed going back to school and study. I always thought my english would not be good enough but my tutor convinced me to go for a degree. Well - now I'm really thinking of it.:) My only worry is the workload. My research did not give me information about it. Can anybody - who does/did the pt long distance BA social care - give me an idea how many hours/week I will need to study? Is it possible with 2 kids, a full time job but a supportive husband to manage it?
I would be more than happy if anbody here could give me an answer.
Thank you soooooooo much in advance.

Birthe

Hello Birthe, I just finished the 1st year of the distance study BA in social care in NUIG galway and I have 3 small children ( as in all under six ) and it was indeed manageable. There is a work load but to be honest if you got through your fetac award, this will be no worse! Go for it, the only down fall is the price per year. The course I am on is 2,700 but they are not pushy and you can pay in installments through out the year. There is other foreign nationals on my course and they also cope fine. You will have no problems at all.
Hope this was helpful. Best of luck

3schweine

Hi mammabee,
thank you very much for the quick answer.

mammabee wrote: »

Hope this was helpful.

Definitely helped me a lot to come closer to my final decision.
It's just, that the costs are so high and I want to make sure that my money will not be wasted and that I do the right thing. ...

mammabee wrote: »

Best of luck

Same to you and thanks again!!!

rustopher

HI hope this thread is still open, on the subject of the social care course hope all made the right decision. I just started second yr and instead of Sats its on Mondays...the course director was no help when I explained it wouldn't suit me as I work Mon to Fri and mentioned it being an adult education course it should work with those of us who work... he was rude and condesending. Not only that but its 2 Mondays a month, I see it mentioned above but I was not aware of this when I started.

Anyway there's another issue to add to this.... I will carry on regardless!!!

mammabee

rustopher wrote: »

HI hope this thread is still open, on the subject of the social care course hope all made the right decision. I just started second yr and instead of Sats its on Mondays...the course director was no help when I explained it wouldn't suit me as I work Mon to Fri and mentioned it being an adult education course it should work with those of us who work... he was rude and condesending. Not only that but its 2 Mondays a month, I see it mentioned above but I was not aware of this when I started.

Anyway there's another issue to add to this.... I will carry on regardless!!!

I am doing second year in this course also, and Im doing it on Saturdays??!! In NUIG??!! :) There must be two classes, if so then, maybe you could join our class on a Saturday?? Its working out at about two saturdays a month also, but there is some gaps along the way.. If your on the same course I could give you my tutors phone number and you could see what she says.. Did you contact Yvonne Forde??

rustopher

Yeah so he told me if i wanted to do it there, i think i can work it out but my real problem was that we didnt find out about this til the summer b4 going back. Was it same last yr in Portalington i wonder..maybe so. Galway would be over 3 hrs there and then back again. Yvonne Ford was never returning calls last yr and i think she may be gone this yr???
Anyway thanks for advise will carry on and stop complaining... for now!! Hopefully the assignment we get in next class will be do-able!

owla

Heard that this course is finally getting on board with CORU! Does anyone have any further information on this?

rustopher

Yes our lecturer mentioned that they are currently in meetings about that!

owla

once that happens it should clear up alot of the discussions that have taken place on this board. So we have to watch this space! If anyone has updates be sure to post.
I have looked at Coru and they have taken off a list of courses that were on there which excluded the ba social care nui. Am I correct? (that they have removed a list that was previously on site... or am i imagining things).

rustopher

Really? Do u know what they removed. I didnt see will take a look now...

owla

in my memory there were a list of recommended qualifications for social care professionals on which the nui course was not listed? I am not 100% sure but if my memory serves me correctly this was the case. At any rate there are no list under qualification for social care on the current site. I don't know if I am making myself clear or not!