BSc (Honours) Applied Nursing (Learning Disability) and Generic Social Work
UCAS code
B761Attendance
Full-time
Three years full-timeAt a glance
If you want a career making a difference in the lives of individuals with learning disabilities this joint award course is the right choice for you. Gain the professional experience that you need by spending 50% of your time in practice placements in a wide variety of settings. This is complemented by studying in specialist facilities which include the £13 million Robert Winston Building.
Key points
• Gain the specialist knowledge and skills needed to register as a social worker and a nurse.
• Develop real skills and experience with 52 weeks spent in a range of health and social care settings.
• Study in the £13 million Robert Winston building.
• Learn from lecturers who have worked as social workers, nurses or other associated professions.
What is applied nursing (learning disability) and generic social work?
This is a joint award qualification which means that at the end of three years study you will have successfully completed an honors degree. You will also be eligible to apply to register with the Health and Care Professionals Council as a social worker and the Nursing and Midwifery Council as a registered nurse.
About this course
People with learning disabilities often have a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. Learning disability nurses and social workers work in partnership with them and family carers, to provide specialist health and social care. The aim is to support the well-being and social inclusion of people with a learning disability. Having a joint award qualification gives you the skills and knowledge to facilitate this.
You develop the skills and expertise to support people with learning difficulties from a joint health and social care perspective. This combination fits well with the government’s modernising agenda to integrate health and social care and make sure professionals and agencies work together, and can provide a boost for gaining employment in this sector.
Your studies centre around our £13 million purpose-built Robert Winston Building on Collegiate Campus which has clinical suites and other specialist equipment to allow you to develop the skills that you use whilst out on practice.
Your enthusiasm and passion for working with those with learning difficulties is essential, as contact with service users will begin right from the interview stage and continue throughout the course.
You go on nursing and social work practice placements over three years in a range of environments such as advocacy organisations, local authorities, nursing homes, community teams, secure environments and assessment and treatment centres. These culminate with a 20 week integrated placement in your third year where you take on your own case load of patients or service users. During your placement you have a professional nursing mentor or social work practice assessor to help guide you and support you. You build up practice learning portfolios containing evidence of your personal and professional development.
Each year you study two interprofessional modules. These are modules which are designed to offer you the opportunity to experience learning alongside a range of other healthcare professionals in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing. This shared learning experience allows you to develop team working and understand the contribution of other professionals.
You attend seminars and workshops where you take part in group work and independent study. You are assessed though practical and written exams, essays, presentations, seminars and dissertations.
As well as gaining this qualification you also complete a level 2 award in health awareness, which provides you with a certificate from the Royal Society of Public Health.
Key areas of study
The course is a mix of health and social care modules based around the central learning disabilities theme. Topics include • assessment, planning evaluation and review • managing risk • preparing for learning disabilities practice • understanding health and social care • policy and law • meeting complex care needs • anti-oppressive practice • working with vulnerable and marginalised groups • professional ethics.
Student conferences
Students are encouraged to attend and participate in local and national conferences related to learning disability and social work.
We hold an annual student and service user conference which allows students and service users to share some of the developments that they have been involved in whilst out on practice.
Associated careers
You can find career opportunities in specialist health and social care teams in local authorities and the private and voluntary sector working as specialist nurses and social workers.
You may be responsible for areas including • assessment • treatment and continuing care • promoting access and social inclusion • service development at the strategic level.
Further information is available on the NHS careers website at www.nhscareers.nhs.uk
Professional recognition
This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Graduates are eligible to apply to register with them. You must be registered with the NMC in order to practise as a nurse in the UK and with the HCPC to practise as a social worker in England.
Course content
There are interprofessional modules shared with a range of other healthcare professionals throughout the course.
Year one modules
• essentials of nursing and social work: science and practice • introduction to relationship centred care in nursing and social work: science and practice • (readiness to practice) fundamentals of public health: science and practice • using knowledge and evidence to support study and practice • introduction to inter professional practice
Year two modules
• integrating the science of nursing and social work • developing relationship centred care in nursing and social work : science and practice • application of the science and practice of public health • developing collaborative practice • using and evaluating evidence to inform practice
Year three modules
• consolidation of the science of nursing and social work • leadership and management for excellence in relationship centred care: science and practice • managing public health: science and practice • capable collaborative working • generating and evaluating evidence for practice
Assessment
• essays • examinations • practice learning portfolio • poster presentations • report writing • assessment of practice on placement
Entry requirements
2014 entry requirements
You must have some experience of delivering care in a professional or voluntary capacity, and a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution.
Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English language or literature and mathematics (or equivalent such as Level 2 Adult Literacy/Numeracy or Key Skills Level 2 Communication/Application of Number) plus one from the following
• 280 points from GCE/VCE A2 levels or BTEC National qualifications. We accept general studies A level but AS levels do not count towards the points total.
• Access – Access to HE Diploma for a QAA recognised Access to HE course in health studies, health science, social sciences or nursing. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 30 level 3 credits should be graded at distinction level.
• other equivalent qualifications, including degrees in other subjects
*GCSE alternatives
The GCSE alternatives we accept are
• Level 2 Adult Literacy or Numeracy
• Key Skills Level 2 Communication or Application of Number
• Functional Skills Level 2 English or mathematics
• OCR science level 2
• science units gained on a level 3 BTEC or OCR National Qualification
• science credits gained on Access to Higher Education Diplomas (at least 12 credits gained at level 2 or 6 credits gained at level 3)
IELTS
If English is not your first language you must have an IELTS score of 7.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
Care experience
Before you apply for health courses, we require you to have gained some practical experience relating to your subject area. Download our applicant experience guidelines for information about the kinds of experience we expect you to have and the best places to gain it. Evidence of the experience gained, understanding of the profession and a genuine, reasoned commitment to studying a professional course must be explicit in your personal statement to be selected for interview.
Personal qualities
You must be able to demonstrate your potential to be caring and compassionate and the ability develop meaningful professional relationships with service users, families 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
• successfully complete a range of assignments including researched essays and practical examinations
This is normally achieved by completing academic study at level three or above within the last four years.
Course enrolment – professional requirements
Before enrolling, you must fully declare during the admissions process any
• unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on convictions that must be declared see the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) website.
• disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or educational establishments
• involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
You also need to complete
• a DBS Enhanced Disclosure, and provide us with a copy of your DBS Enhanced Disclosure Certificate if requested. Enrolment also depends on the DBS check being deemed suitable for professional training.
• occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course and an approved programme of immunisation, as recommended by the Department of Health. Health screening and immunisation are provided by the University.
If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements – from when you apply to the end of your course – you must tell the Professional Issues Team immediately by calling 0114 225 3995 or 0114 225 5786.
Disability support
If you have a disability or long term health condition which you think may affect your ability to meet the course requirements, you can contact our nursing learning needs (disability) co-ordinators on 0114 225 2470 to explore any issues you may have, or you can contact our University student support staff on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom).
This course is only open to home or EU fee assessed students.
Shortlisted applicants are invited to attend an interview event.
As nursing can involve strenuous physical, psychological and emotionally taxing work, we recommend you come to a University open day to learn more about the general expectations of the course.
2013 entry requirements
You must have some experience of delivering care in a professional or voluntary capacity, and a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution.
Normally five GCSEs at grade C or above, including English language or literature and mathematics (or equivalent such as Level 2 adult literacy/numeracy or Key Skills Level 2 communication/application of number) plus one from the following
• 280 points from GCE/VCE A2 levels or BTEC National qualifications. We accept general studies A level but AS levels do not count towards the points total.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
If you are studying a course funded by the Department of Health (nursing, midwifery or the allied health professions) you will not normally pay any fees yourself, as they will be paid for you by the Department of Health.
You may be eligible for an NHS bursary but you will not be eligible for the bursaries and scholarships described in the Sheffield Hallam University Bursary Scheme. For more information on NHS bursaries visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students/4002.aspx
How to apply
You apply for this course through UCAS.
Contact details
For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk