The  programme has been written to correspond closely with the:

• UK Quality Code for Higher Education (QAA 2018)
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ)
• specific reference to benchmark statements for Education Studies (2015)

specific reference to relevant Bishop Grosseteste University codes of practice and guidance on programme specifications

The Foundation Year aims to contribute to widening participation and lifelong learning by encouraging participation by learners who may not previously have considered studying for a higher level qualification, or those who, for a variety of circumstances, are unable to immediately satisfy typical entry criteria for undergraduate degrees.

The programme aims to prepare learners for Level 4 undergraduate study at Bishop Grosseteste University.  It will:

• Provide learners with knowledge and understanding of basic academic communication and problem solving skills 
• Develop learners as critical thinkers utilising enquiry, investigation and evidence-based analysis within interdisciplinary contexts
• Support learners to become self-directed learners in preparation for undergraduate study 
• Enable learners to develop a range of transferable skills as a foundation for employment.

The Foundation Year provides an extended and intensive induction to Higher Education (HE) that feeds directly into learners’ learning across the Foundation Year and beyond into their full degree programme.  The Foundation Year is a direct articulation into existing and future undergraduate, non-QTS degree courses.  Successful completion of this programme is required in order to follow the articulated degree programmes at Bishop Grosseteste University.

A number of degree programmes at Bishop Grosseteste University will benefit from the articulated Foundation Year, which will raise the number of appropriately prepared learners.  It aims to reduce the level of additional academic support that might otherwise be necessary for some learners.

Final Award Learning Outcomes

Students successfully completing the Foundation Year will be able to:

K&U 1: Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the fundamental concepts, principles and techniques which underpin future study at Level 4 and higher. 

SPS 1: Demonstrate emerging ability to construct and evidence critical arguments as part of academic development.

SPS 2: Develop and provide evidence of application of core academic study skills such as time management, study methods, research, interpreting evidence, academic writing, presentation skills and digital tools for learning.

IS 1: Demonstrate a basic understanding of different approaches to problem solving that underpin future study at Level 4 and higher. 

TS 1: Be able to work independently and collaboratively as part of a wider team and communicate effectively

TS 2: To begin to demonstrate reflective evaluation and responsibility for their own learning and personal development.

Programme-based learning outcomes are necessarily generic to support the development of key study skills applicable across all potential undergraduate programmes of further study at Bishop Grosseteste University.

The Bishop Grosseteste University Graduate Attribute framework identifies further outcomes learners should acquire.  These reflect a collective understanding of the essential skills of a Bishop Grosseteste University graduate.  Those completing this one year programme will therefore be further equipped with attributes suitable for a range of careers and lifelong learning.

These programme outcomes combine to provide a strong foundation for learners’ future study and employability

There is no premature exit award for this one year, non-award bearing programme.

The Programme outcomes for the BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care are aligned with QAA level descriptors for levels 4-6 Undergraduate Degrees (QAA 2014) and QAA benchmarks  for

Undergraduate Degrees (QAA 2016) for social work and health studies (Updated November 2019)

The Programme has been designed to support a flexible, learner-centred approach focusing on the application of theory into practice.  Students will learn how to use evidence in a systematic way in order to establish general rules or conclusions from facts or examples in the field of Health and Social Care.  They are expected to concentrate their academic energies on mastering the technical and practical facets of the field which is facilitated by the framework within this programme.  This therefore aligns with students’ personal, professional and practice development needs for a career in Health and Social Care and beyond into the growing area of Graduate entry provision, such as Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Nursing.

Through its teaching, the Programme aims to produce high-calibre graduates who are ethical, autonomous, reflexive, and possess inquiring, analytical minds, which will support and drive practice quality and enhancement.  The Programme will support students’ post-graduate prospects, by adding quality to care and will promote their continued study at Master’s level and beyond.   

Overall Programme Aims:

At the end of the Programme Graduates will be able to:

• Demonstrate systematic breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of contemporary issues within Health and Social Care practice, considering professional and academic challenges, global perspectives and relevant ethical and values-based issues.
• Exercise incisive critical analysis of relevant contextual issues whilst exploring the relationships between theory and practice in an everchanging Health and Social Care landscape.   
• Construct arguments and rationales in support of the development and enhancement of high-quality provision for those utilising health and social provision.

Critically evaluate and apply a critical understanding of local, national and international policies and perspectives considering the implications for Health and Social Care practice and provision.

Final Award Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care, students will be able to:  

Knowledge and Understanding (KU)

KU1 Demonstrate detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of the theory and practice of Health and Social Care from a local, national and international perspective.

KU2 Expound a critical understanding of the relationship between theory and practice in the subject of Health and Social Care.

KU3 Acquire a critical awareness of the diversity and global context of Health and Social Care practice.

Subject Professional Skills (SPS)

SPS1 Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the complex nature of assessment and intervention, informed by evidence-based knowledge.

SPS2 Illustrate a critical awareness of values-based decision-making, inherent within reflective practice.

SPS3 Demonstrate a detailed and systematic breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of contemporary social policy and practice issues.

SPS4 Show a critical appreciation of the complexity of working effectively within a MultiDisciplinary Team (MDT), with an appreciation of the challenges of leadership in a professional context.

Intellectual Skills (IS)

IS1 Critically reflect on one's own views, perspectives, practice and experience using rational argument and evidence-based principles in order to develop professionally.

IS2 Consider creative, innovative and/or original responses to presenting problems and issues in relation to the principles of professional practice within Health and Social Care.

IS3 Demonstrate the promotion of partnership working through skilled, proficient team interprofessional and multi-agency collaboration and communication, whilst recognizing and evaluating sector challenges.

Transferable Skills (TS)

TS1 Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively using appropriate methods (including Information and Communications Technology (ICT)), to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge and expertise.

TS2 Demonstrate a critical awareness of professional autonomy, accountability, regulation, legal and ethical issues, and in relation to working collaboratively within the sector of Health and Social Care.

TS3 Demonstrate the ability to make and effectively communicate decisions, and be able to function confidently as a member of the wider Health and Social Care team.

TS4 Demonstrate through critical reflection one's own views, perspectives, practice and experience using rational argument and evidence-based principles, in order to develop professionally.

Learning Outcomes – Higher Education Certificate Health and Social Care

Knowledge and Understanding (KU)

KU1 Demonstrate detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of the theory and practice of Health and Social Care from a local, national and international perspective.

KU3 Acquire an awareness of the diversity and global context of Health and Social Care practice.

Subject Professional Skills (SPS)  

SPS1 Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the complex nature of assessment and intervention, informed by evidence-based knowledge.

SPS2 Illustrate a critical awareness of values-based decision-making, inherent within reflective practice.

SPS4 Show a critical appreciation of the complexity of working effectively within a MultiDisciplinary Team (MDT), with an appreciation of the challenges of leadership in a professional context.

Intellectual skills (IS)

IS1 Critically reflect on one's own views, perspectives, practice and experience using rational argument and evidence-based principles, in order to develop professionally.

Transferable skills (TS)

TS1 Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively using appropriate methods (including Information and Communications Technology (ICT)), to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge and expertise.

TS3 Demonstrate the ability to make and effectively communicate decisions and be able to function confidently as a member of the wider Health and Social Care team.

Learning Outcomes – Higher Education Diploma Health and Social Care

Knowledge and Understanding (KU)

KU1 Demonstrate detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of the theory and practice of Health and Social Care from a local, national and international perspective.

KU2 Expound a critical understanding of the relationship between theory and practice in the subject of Health and Social Care.

KU3 Acquire an awareness of the diversity and global context of Health and Social Care practice.

Subject Professional Skills (SPS)

SPS1 Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the complex nature of assessment and intervention, informed by evidence-based knowledge.

SPS2 Illustrate a critical awareness of values-based decision-making, inherent in reflective practice

SPS3 Demonstrate a detailed and systematic breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding of contemporary social policy and practice issues.

SPS4 Show a critical appreciation of the complexity of working effectively within a MultiDisciplinary Team (MDT), with an appreciation of the challenges of leadership in a professional context.

Intellectual skills (IS) 
 
IS1 Critically reflect on one's own views, perspectives, practice and experience using rational argument and evidence-based principles, in order to develop professionally. 
IS2 Consider creative, innovative and/or original responses to presenting problems and issues in relation to the principles to professional practice within Health and Social Care. 
 
Transferable skills (TS) 
 
TS1 Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively using appropriate methods (including Information and Communications Technology (ICT)), to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge and expertise. 
TS2 Demonstrate a critical awareness of professional autonomy, accountability, regulation, legal and ethical issues, and in relation to working collaboratively within the sector of Health and Social Care. 
TS3 Demonstrate the ability to make and effectively communicate decisions and be able to function confidently as a member of the wider Health and Social Care team. 
 

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

KU1 Demonstrate detailed knowledge and systematic understanding of the theory and practice of Health and Social Care from a local, national and international perspective.

  Year One

Year Two

Year Three  

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

Level 4

Level 5

Level 6

The Bishop Grosseteste University Foundation Year programme is in line with national practice and resembles Foundation Year programmes successfully offered by a number of UK higher education institutions to provide supportive access into higher education (HE). The Bishop Grosseteste University Foundation Year aims to contribute to widening participation and lifelong learning by encouraging participation by learners who may not previously have considered studying for a higher level qualification.

The Bishop Grosseteste University Foundation Year is therefore designed to support a wide range of learners from different backgrounds and with non-standard academic qualifications to enter HE. The programme provides an opportunity for learners to study at the University who are unable to evidence the usual level of entry qualifications / UCAS points required for entry to degree programmes at Bishop Grosseteste University.

The Bishop Grosseteste University Foundation Year programme is a complimentary internal programme of study to enable access to degree study at Bishop Grosseteste University.  The Foundation Year programme is therefore designed to provide a common core of academic and generic study skills sufficient to build confidence and self-discipline to prepare learners for subsequent study and academic success at undergraduate level.

The Foundation Year programme is a pass-fail programme and is therefore non-award bearing.   There are 8 modules, equally distributed between two semesters.  Modules are studied over a 7 week period and are paired so that learners engage with two aligned, yet separate, modules each week. The pairing of modules, enables accumulative development of skills through a generic approach in which all learning is connected and builds incrementally throughout the year.  It is anticipated that typically learners will attend face-to-face sessions for 6 hours weekly.

The programme has been designed to be delivered and assessed at Level 4 equivalence within the QAA FHEQ.  This level indicates the intellectual demand and rigour of academic study required to successfully complete each module and provide a taster of the demands of degree level study.

A key design feature of the Foundation Year, has been the commitment to providing a programme which is suitable for a potentially diverse mix of learners.   In recognition of the diversity of learner experiences and needs, this programme has been designed to balance the current needs of learners with the future demands that studying at degree level will place on them.   The purpose of the programme is not to fully mirror a full undergraduate degree programme but to provide a foundational experience and, moderately and gradually, build confidence and capability of the learners.  As such, the indicative hours of study are less than might normally be expected on a full degree programme but the delivery is condensed and intensely delivered per week.  This delivery pattern is proved to best support the needs of learners on Foundation Year programme, who typically have other life-commitments outside university.  

Learning and teaching approaches utilise a blended approach of face-to-face, directed, online and independent study.  A key feature of delivery are the ‘learner-led, tutor-facilitated’ group tutorials.  These take place weekly and encourage individual learners to re-engage with education, to ‘deconstruct’ what might have been previous, less than positive, engagements with education.  The tutorials encourage learners to ‘reconstruct’ and to take personal responsibility and ownership of their learning during the Foundation Year and beyond.  Peer support and dialogic approaches form a strong element of this process.  

The Foundation Year programme offers incremental steps to foster a thirst for, and enjoyment of, learning and a gradual acculturation into university life.  This approach will help ensure that individuals who successfully complete the Foundation Year programme are effective, successful undergraduate learners who reach their own potential within the next stages of their learner journey at full degree programme level.

Learners on the Foundation Year build a set of knowledge, skills and attributes associated with university study which they will be able to directly transfer into their degrees.  The generic nature of the modules aims to ensure that learners are equipped with the necessary study skills, and written and verbal communication abilities to succeed, as well as gaining independence and confidence to progress.  To avoid duplication of content at a later date, learners do not formally study their chosen degree subject during the Foundation Year. However, learners will have the opportunity to attend taster sessions and may select topics for study that allow them to explore their personal interests and prepare for their future studies. 

Throughout the Foundation Year programme, learners are encouraged to draw on their knowledge from across their learning in all module sessions, with the aim that they become active in their approach to learning.  The final piece of work requires learners to demonstrate their consolidated learning and understanding and involves the application of research, critical thinking and academic writing.

Learning and teaching strategies for the programme as a whole are balanced and comprehensive, underpinned by the need to provide a supportive and directed framework for learners entering at Level 4 with widely differing experience, familiarity and confidence with prior study, from diverse backgrounds and with a variety of entry qualifications.   The programme provides the foundation for consolidated skills development in learner’s future degree programme. The modules are designed to be stimulating, challenging, relevant and useful.  The modules enable learners to experience, engage with, and develop a range of key skills necessary for independent learning and effective undergraduate study. 

Learning and teaching is characterised by a combination of directive, structured, supportive and practical strategies, and opportunities.  These strategies aim to ensure that learners are supported in their learning whilst also developing skills, knowledge and confidence as independent learners as appropriate for future HE study. Learning and teaching strategies aim to make effective use of social integration, group and project work to build confidence and support a community of learning.  

Delivery is directed and guided, being designed to meet the needs and experience of learners who may not yet be ready to work with the full confidence and levels of autonomy normally expected at Level 4.  Delivery of modules will therefore be through directive and interactive sessions, seminars and tutorials.  Group work and workshop methods are also utilised.  Learning will be additionally supported through the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), and independent study. 

The Foundation Year has a strong tutorial element, both group and personal tutoring.  Typically, there are normally 6 scheduled learning hours per week, of which, 2-3 hours per week of ‘learnerled, tutor-facilitated’ sessions take place each week.  Weekly study tutorials allow learners to discuss their formative tasks, assessed work, all feedback, key readings and issues raised in sessions with peers and tutors.  Dialogic approaches enable learners to work on skills and areas of understanding in a supportive peer environment but also familiarises them with the processes of discussion and debate.  The incorporation of group work also encourages learners to develop positive and supportive working relationships within the cohort. 

Teaching and learning strategies have been selected to compliment the concepts being delivered, for example, digital skills workshops and library based research tasks, discussion, debate, writing and speaking to a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences.  The Foundation Year is intended to develop a strong learning community amongst the cohort but also to create a sense of institutional identity and a growing sense of subject community.  The programme seeks to engender a sense of individual learner’s ‘belief in self’ and also belief that they are academic, with a true entitlement to be members of a HE community of learners.

Throughout the year, learners work with their tutor to set and review personal targets so that they can clearly track their development across the year and avoid feeling overwhelmed by the level at which they will be required to work at on entry to their degree studies. 

The Student Engagement Facilitator in the Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching (CELT) will work closely with the Foundation Year learners to ensure they are engendered as members of the Bishop Grosseteste University community.  Collectively, the modules support all of Bishop Grosseteste University’s Graduate Attributes and embed transferrable skills for employability.  

The Foundation Year equips learners with the necessary skills to be autonomous and effective HE learners.  Skills developed during the Foundation Year programme will be utilised and consolidated throughout undergraduate study and beyond, be that further study and/or employment.  

The Foundation Year programme offers learners opportunities to experience a range of formative and summative assessments.  These include, short-form writing, annotated bibliography, presentations, micro-teach, use of digital technologies, reflective journal and academic essay.  

Assessment strategies are designed to be supportive, build confidence and also aim to ensure learners develop the core skills required for successful study in Higher Education (HE).  Assessment strategies deployed across the Foundation Year are balanced, comprehensive, diverse and inclusive, ensuring that learners experience a range of assessment formats to assess attainment of intended learning outcomes but also to provide supportive preparation for undergraduate study.  

All modules employ early, small and frequent formative, as well as summative assessment, to ensure that learners gain confidence in their knowledge and abilities as they progress through the Foundation Year. Learners will also have opportunity for self-evaluation and reflection on their own learning progress and development of skills. 

Formative feedback is an integral part of the Foundation Year programme. Learners receive feedback on plans and draft materials before final summative assessment submission, and have the opportunity to discuss the comments made in more detail with their tutor and peers to enable them to take responsibility for their learning and improvement.  Feedback addresses key writing skills (including spelling, grammar and punctuation) as well as more advanced skills such as the structuring of arguments, summary of key concepts and demonstration of subject knowledge. There is also a focus on helping learners to gain an understanding of scholarly activity and the importance of accurate referencing, which will feed forward into their degree studies. Opportunities for verbal feedback and peer review are provided by interactive seminars and tutorials.  Learners continue to reflect on their own performance and progression throughout the Foundation Year. Summative feedback is provided for all assessed pieces of work, and the comprehensive combination of formative and summative feedback will allow learners to reflect on their progress, strengths and areas for improvement, and forms the basis for self-reflective and tutor-directed target setting. 

The feedback cycle provides a strong sense of coherence and continuity of development within the course. Tutorial group sessions provide a focal point for learners to discuss their learning and track their acquisition of knowledge and study skills.  The final module culminates in an academic writing project which provides learners the opportunity to demonstrate all of their Foundation Year learning and to receive the final detailed summative feedback they can utilise as they progress on to their continuing programme of undergraduate degree study.

Learners are assessed predominantly through coursework.  Each module has an assessment portfolio that contains two or three tasks.  This will include extensive use of portfolio-based assessment, in which learners assemble evidence of key tasks, often including reflection and critical review of their progress, strengths and weaknesses. 

There are no formal examinations in the Foundation Year. This is in order to build learner confidence and ensure that learners are provided with supportive entry at Level 4. In general, the undergraduate curriculum at Bishop Grosseteste University makes limited use of formal examinations, although they are more common in social science subjects such as Psychology. Appropriate exam preparation is included in the relevant degree programmes as needed once learners progress from the Foundation Year.

 

Bishop Grosseteste University is committed to widening access and participation and adheres to a strict policy of non-discrimination. Learners will be supported for the duration of the Foundation Year through the range of services offered through the Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching (CELT), Student Advice and Library Services.

The Foundation Year programme will support personal development planning through the use of the Bishop Grosseteste University Development and Career Plan (DCP) and the personal tutor system. Learners will also be aligned to a ‘subject liaison tutor’ who will be a subject-specific point of contact for individual learners. The subject liaison tutor will provide advice regards the subject taster-sessions and also provide subject-context and mentoring support for learners as appropriate. Learners will be encouraged to access the wider services of BG Futures for professional career advice and opportunities.

All learners develop an e-portfolio, the Development and Career Plan (DCP). This is a detailed record of the development of skills, experience and knowledge which:

• Supports reflection on academic and assessed work and ensures learners are able to respond effectively to feedback from tutors and improve their grade
• Allows learners to collect evidence of the things that they achieve during their studies that promote their employability
• Supports the development of a close and well-informed relationship with their Personal Tutor.

Tutorials will allow learners to identify their strengths and weaknesses and receive targeted support, and this process ensures that learners’ individual progress is tracked across all modules and that any academic or pastoral concerns are addressed promptly.

Learners will be encouraged to apply skills that they already have and to develop new ones. A central tool for technology enhanced learning is through the use of Blackboard, Bishop Grosseteste University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). As part of the blended learning pedagogical approach for the programme, preparatory, directed, and follow-up tasks and activities will be provided to inform, engage, and reinforce the learning for each module. Learning materials for the Foundation Year programme will be accessed through the module areas on Blackboard and extensive use will be made of specific online resources that exist within the CELT areas of the VLE; especially Digital Learning and Learning Development resources, guides and self-reflection tools and materials.

Learners will have a range of opportunities for critical discussion and active engagement with VLE materials through a range of synchronous and asynchronous learning spaces including module blogs, wikis and discussion forums. In addition, learners will engage with research for relevant literature through online databases and electronic search engines as part of Bishop Grosseteste University’s library provision. Included within the Library Systems are access to journals and specific subject related learning resources.

There is no direct connection to work-related learning or placement. However, the Foundation Year programme recognises the integral nature of core employability skills as part of undergraduate study.

All modules in the Foundation Year are organised around the development of transferable skills, such as presentation skills, successful time management, group work, critical thinking and problem solving. Collectively, the programme modules support all of Bishop Grosseteste University’s core graduate attributes and help prepare learners for successful undergraduate study.

Graduate Attributes and embed transferrable skills for employability. As such, Foundation Year learners will develop a range of relevant graduate attributes and skills including:

• problem-solving
• decision making
• locating resources
• analysis and evaluation of resources/evidence/data
• organisational skills, including time management, and project planning
• the ability to work in teams
• appropriate utilisation of digital technologies
• appropriate levels of communication – written, oral and visual

In addition to the development of a range of transferable skills, learners will engage with the Development and Career Plan (DCP) which encourages reflection on career aspiration, and target setting to help achieve academic and career goals. The DCP eportfolio allows learners to collect evidence of the things that they achieve during their studies that promote their employability.

As Bishop Grosseteste University students, learners on the Foundation Year programme will be eligible to engage with all workshops, sessions and extra-curricular activities as provided by BG Futures and Careers.

It is acknowledged that health and social care provision is stretched beyond any previous estimates, with commentators emphasising that the UK National Health Service (NHS) is no longer “fit for the purpose for which it was designed” (Baggott, 2011, p10). For instance, the management and care of an ageing population with complex health and social care needs, changes in expectations and technologies, and challenges to resources from workforce shortages and funding, all contribute to services which are overstretched.

As a Bachelor of Science Award, this programme provides students with an opportunity to focus on and undertake research into their subject area i.e. health and social care. Their academic energies focus on reflecting critically and evaluating the practical facets of Health and Social Care, and they are supported through a variety of placements and sector specific learning.

This Programme’s focus is on the promotion of values-based, holistic individualised care provision with consideration of effective practice and liaison with members of the multi-disciplinary team, both statutory, independent and voluntary. Its aim is to promote community health and wellbeing, and it has a strong focus on both individual patients needs as well as that of the wider population (local, national and global). The acquisition of transferable skills supports the promotion of the self-care agenda and focus on prophylactic and early intervention strategies to ensure services meet needs and expectations both current and future.

The Programme focusses on six integral, curricula pillars that spiral throughout the programme modules, and which are inherent elements of the graduate attributes that students will acquire. These are:

1. Autonomous learning
2. Critical thinking and Reflection
3. Problem solving and decision making through effective utility of evidence based practice and research.
4. Values-based ethically focused care
5. Practice improvement and innovation
6. Leadership and management

The curriculum adopts an Inter-Professional Educational (IPE) approach (where possible), and it seeks to promote innovation and leadership across the field of Health and Social Care. Students will use critical reflection to consider relevant health and social care issues within their own lives and where relevant, within their own practice, whilst considering values-based and ethical frameworks of governance. They will be supported to consider wider implications of both practice issues and challenges, whilst reflecting locally, nationally and internationally. They will be encouraged to consider creative and innovate ways of enhancing and improving practice.

This Programme will attract a diverse range of students; some will be currently practicing in the field of Health and Social Care and others will be considering a career within the sector. The Programme serves to support student needs to help advanced practice professionally, whilst understanding students’ wider personal and professional commitments.

The curriculum is designed to enable students to construct their learning journey in accordance with either their current job role and/or to meet the needs of career aspirations and future roles. All modules are supported by a spiral curriculum which sees six pillars (Section Above) supporting all the learning across all modules and the entire programme. All modules are compulsory across the three years and run over two semesters, with two 30-credit modules per semester, apart from the final year where there are two 15-credit modules (HSC60220 and HSC60520). These focus on confidence building for the Dissertation element (HSC60420), which runs across two Semesters.

All modules use the six pillars implicitly to support learning and teaching, which ensures synchronicity across the Programme and lead to a curriculum which focuses on elements that pertain to and support effective learning within the field.

The first year introduces Health and Social Care concepts and encourages reflection on and in practice. Further modules offer the opportunity to explore, develop and apply specific learning around contemporary areas of practice, which all build towards the Dissertation and are seen as an opportunity for students to add value to the quality of provision within the field of Health and Social Care practice.

Learning and Teaching strategies utilise a diverse approach, with activities taking place face-to-face in the classroom, such as seminars, keynote lectures, workshops and tutorials, all supported through the effective use of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to support autonomous learning (See Section 26 Technology Enhanced Learning). It is acknowledged that a varied learning and teaching approach is critical to this Programme due to the diverse nature of the student group, who require a Programme with flexibility both in terms of content access and delivery, as well as opportunities for guided learning and support, with a view to building an autonomous learner.

During the Programme, students will study a total of 360 credits, with 120 credits being taken each academic year and at each Level. The Programme structure provides some flexibility which affords students the opportunity, where appropriate, to build their individual learning pathway based on their current and future professional needs, which will be supported by their personal tutor and a career development plan.

Within the Programme there is strong emphasis on ethical practice-focused learning, which will require students to focus on specific areas of practice through the use of a variety of self-selected reflective models. This encourages reflexivity and critical reflection of not only individual learning styles and needs, but also of individual practice.

A defining feature of this Programme is the development of the student's ability to undertake purposeful critical thinking and reflection. Modules develop and enhance the validity of judgments through the effective utility of evidence-based practice, which will inform effective decision-making resulting in practice enhancement. The development of students’ ability is supported by the curricula pillars and placement activity (See Section 27, Work-related Learning).

The Programme provides a diverse range of opportunities for students to develop sector specific skills (that is within the field of Health and Social Care provision), as well as gain a generic knowledge which crosses regional, national and international boundaries (See Section 27, Work-related Learning).

The assessment strategy has been designed to support effective demonstration of the programme learning outcomes, alongside specific module outcomes. It systematically builds knowledge and understanding to support the final Dissertation where skills are required to design, implement and evaluate a research output, which will add to the current knowledge base within health and social care and seek to enhance service effectiveness and provision.

The assessment strategy within the programme affords students the opportunity to demonstrate confidence in articulating their ideas and knowledge from the first year through to the final Dissertation. The strategy maintains a focus on both their individual and practice experience where appropriate. It supports the development of an independent learner who has a range of transferable skills both academic and professional.

Using the previously cited six pillars, assessments will test the scaffolding which supports the overall programme learning outcomes and will assist students not only to develop their academic skills, but link these to practice in order to drive critical reflection and quality improvement across the Health and Social Care sector.

Throughout the programme, research and evidence-based practice is an integral theme. Specific research focused modules use assessments to support the development of the skills required for the final Dissertation. This consists of an independent research project (with academic supervision) and the completion of a research report. For example, the module Introduction to Evidence Informed Practice and Decision Making (HSC40420) will explore the usefulness of evidence in the practice setting and consider how this supports the rationale behind decision-making processes.

The integrity of evidence and its value in practice will be considered by undertaking critical evaluations through literature reviews. Modules such as Contemporary Perspectives in Health and Social Care Provision (HSC40320) and Health, Wellbeing and Society: A Global Perspective Locally (HSC50220) will ensure creditable evidence is used to inform practice.

A variety of assessments will be utilized across the Programme, which enable students to demonstrate confidence in their articulation of knowledge and critical understanding within their current or intended practice setting. Indicative methods used are written case studies, an exam, posters and presentations.

Assessments will provide a reflexive learning platform that will enable students to build on their critical reflection skills, enabling them to evaluate their current practice and performance. All assessments build towards the Dissertation element, which, based on their observations of practice during placements, takes an ethical look at an area that may need enhancement.

The diversity of assessment tasks will appeal to the range of abilities across the student body. In addition, the variety of assessments will build the academic skills of learners who may be returning to Higher Education after some time. Students who have specific learning requirements

 

HSC60520

Using Research in Practice

15

3

30

70

 

 

Module Code	Module Description	Credits	Year	Indicative Assessment Type and weighting	Indicative Assessment Loading	Indicative submission
HSC40120	Foundations in Health and Social Care	30	1	70% Part 1 – Essay 30% Part 2 - Poster and oral presentation	3500     e/q 1000	Jan: Semester 1   May: Semester 2
HSC40220	Society and Self across the Life Span	30	1	50% Part 1 – Case based essay 50% Part 2 – Reflective account	2500   2500	Jan: Semester 1 May: Semester 2
HSC40320	Contemporary Perspectives and Practice in Health and Social Care	30	1	50% Part 1 - Essay 50% Part 2 – Reflective Placement Account (with portfolio)	2500   2500	Jan: Semester 1 May: Semester 2
HSC40420	Introduction to Evidence Informed Practice and Decision Making	30	1	50% Part 1 – Literature Search 50% Part 2 – Reflective account of learning	2500     2500	Jan: Semester 1   May: Semester 2
HSC50120	Values Based Practice in Health and Social Care: The Law, Ethics and the Individual	30	2	30% Part 1 – Reflective account 70% - See exam	2000     e/q 3000	Jan: Semester 1 May: Semester 2
HSC50220	Health, Wellbeing and Society: a Global Perspective Locally	30	2	50% Part 1 – Essay 50% Part 2 – Health promotion artefact	2500   e/q 2500	Jan: Semester 1 May: Semester 2
HSC50320	Research Skills for Practice	30	2	20% Part 1 – Ethics Form	1000   4000	Jan: Semester 1 May: Semester 2

 

 

Students on this Programme will be students who are looking for a career in Health and Social Care. The programme has not been designed to meet the requirements of any specific professional accreditation, but is in line with employer requirements in the Health and Social care sector using Skills for Health and Health Education England’s Career frameworks. It embraces the necessary requirements for the Care Quality Commission’s Registered home manager scheme, providing learning opportunities that are meaningful and of an appropriate manner to support this.

The Government has acknowledged that in a number of employment sectors there are gaps in professional accreditation, and to this end are developing vocational routes to achieve this.

The commitment to widening access and participation is a vital element to this programme. The Programme adheres to the relevant legal and policy guidelines around anti-discrimination. All students will be supported throughout their Programme with access to the range of services offered through the Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching (CELT), Student Support and Bishop Grosseteste University Library Services. It may be that there are students returning to Higher Education after some time or for the first time, and therefore their individual learning needs will be addressed through relevant Student Study Support mechanisms and a Personal Tutor.

Learning will be enhanced by the digital capabilities of a relevant Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) platform, thus meeting the increased student expectation of flexible and differentiated learning provision. Synchronous face-to-face learning with synchronous and/or asynchronous online components, provides a powerful response to learner needs, building a valuable bridge from formalised education to informal learning space.

This approach meets the learning needs and styles of the students accessing the Programme, many of whom have busy professional and personal lives and often find traditional modes of education challenging for a variety of reasons. In addition, students will be encouraged to use on-line Library resourced databases for their searches.

Vision Statement

The BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care provides students with a learner centred, practice-focused programme of study. The degree aims to meet their personal, professional and employability needs with a Placement Experience at the core. Formal placements are an essential part of this programme and seek to not only align theory to practice but to bridge the divide.

Health and Social Care will benefit from the particularly strong and developing partnership with employers. We are committed to working in partnership with employers where this enriches and supports the course and helps prepare students for further professional qualifications or the world of work. The over-riding aim is to develop a robust Framework of Partnership in Action, which will assure the quality of experience of Health and Social Care students. This will be demonstrated through inter-professional networking across different health and social care settings.

The Programme provides Placement Experience across the three years, enabling students to meet with the diversity of the population experienced within the remit of Health and Social Care. Each placement incorporates two components: professional and academic. All students will be able to seek out opportunities within placement settings to enhance their learning.

The placement at Level 6 involves work experience or a project with employer involvement. This enables students to apply knowledge and skills in a real-life context offering them a valuable experience to draw upon when they present themselves to employers or selectors upon graduation. The nature of the tasks undertaken by students will depend on the focus of the employer in which they are placed. Health and Social Care is a diverse field and we aim to place students within their areas of interest. A major part of placement learning is the social and cultural aspect where they have to fit into a team, engage with service users and staff and understand local customs.

An essential component of the placement experience requires the students to take part in a practice community approach, where all members actively engage in critical discussion of practice to enhance learning and attainment of new skills.

Students will be expected to complete a portfolio containing a mixture of job specific, personal and programme related outcomes. As part of this portfolio they will be encouraged to engage in reflective practice and critical thinking around their placement experience. Opportunity to develop skills that will be useful to them in their future careers or further studies will be enhanced through shared learning with the placement setting and the University Health and Social Care Community.

In all cases, the course will adhere, as appropriate, to the requirements of the BGU Code of Practice for Work-based Learning. Where formal placements occur, they are supported by a placement handbook.

A learning contract will form part of the portfolio assessments in modules HSC40320, HSC50420 and HSC60320, with the supervision of practice being negotiated with a placement mentor. The student will be supported by a ‘systems team approach’ within the placement setting to enhance the learning environment for students, enabling the wider team to participate with the learning experience of the Health and Social Care student.

The Health and Social Care sector is a dynamic and constantly changing environment and it will be important for the future workforce to be flexible and responsive. There is a requirement for practitioners to have skills to deliver more proactive care that is person-centred, and which meets the needs (and expectations) of children and/or adults. This needs to be undertaken in partnership with other services and agencies (statutory and voluntary). The critical importance of joined-up health and social care provision is stressed throughout the Programme with a strong emphasis on the development and understanding of each other's role in integrated delivery. It offers both a stimulating course of study and an NHS Graduate entry route into a large and growing number of Health and Social Care careers. For those wishing to progress onto careers within regulated professions such as Social Work, Nursing or Allied Health Care Professionals such as Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists, applicants will be made aware of the opportunities for Graduate entry programmes.

The focus of the BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care is to develop employability by ensuring that the education students receive on this course is enabling and creative, whilst reflecting a practical reality.

Careers that students can aspire to will include direct employment as well as employment through further study (such as the MA in Health and Social Care leadership at BGU) or other graduate entry schemes. Other career opportunities exist and can be found on Health Careers and Skills for Health websites.

There is no formal requirement for UCAS points to join the Foundation Year although normally GCSE English or equivalent is desirable. Applicants will be interviewed to ascertain their suitability for the Foundation Year. This may be undertaken by Skype or telephone where required.

The Foundation Year syllabus does not include any specific element of upskilling in English language. Entrants must be able to demonstrate a minimum level of competence in English language.

There is no provision for Accreditation of Prior Learning in respect of the Foundation Year.

Applicants will select, at the time of application, the articulated degree programme that they wish to follow. The suitability of the selected, articulated degree programme will be assessed separately.

Bishop Grosseteste University has a responsibility to make applicants aware that certain degree programmes have subject-specific entry criteria which will still apply, and must be met before the commencement of the undergraduate degree programme to enable direct progression. For example, the requirement for GCSE mathematics for BA (Hons) Psychology or enhanced DBS

The Head of the Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching (CELT) is the Programme Leader for the Foundation Year programme. The programme will be taught by the CELT team who are experienced academics and/or practitioners in the areas of lifelong learning, transition into higher education, learning development and digital learning.

Staffing expertise within the current CELT team is a close match to the module content. Leadership of modules will be designated to those with particular interests and research-informed understandings to support the various modules. Staff on the programme will be allocated to learners as personal tutors. In addition, an academic ‘subject liaison tutor’, for each subject, will be a subject-specific point of contact for individual learners. The subject liaison tutor will provide advice regards the subject taster-sessions and also provide subject-context and mentoring support for learners as appropriate.

Academic staff from subject discipline areas will engage with Foundation Year learners during their studies by welcoming them to attend subject-taster sessions of the existing, validated undergraduate degree programme, Level 4. This enables Foundation Year learners to experience subject-specific ‘tasters’, typically of 8 hours, as part of module FDY007: Reflective Learning.

Programme Specific Support

Close engagement with the wider professional services as part of the learner experience will be embedded within each module of the Foundation Year programme. The CELT team, specifically Learning Development and Digital Learning, will support academic literacies, digital capabilities, and work towards assessments. In addition, IT will lead sessions to ensure basic digital literacies and the Library liaison team will support information literacies. BG Futures will support career aspiration and development. The Student Advice team will support wellbeing and, alongside CELT, will seek to develop the resilience and growth mindset of the Foundation Year learners. Learners will have an allocated personal tutor as part of Bishop Grosseteste University’s Personal Development Plan (PDP). The PDP is monitored via the Development and Career Plan (DCP) process including the development of the learner’s eportfolio.

The Foundation Year programme complies with current institutional evaluation policies and annual monitoring.

The programme team are committed to ensuring a positive learner experience and working in partnership with learners to feed forward and enhance the learner experience at both modular and programme level. Learner engagement and evaluation is considered on all aspects of the programme both formally through University processes and informally through the personal tutor structures. The Student Engagement Facilitator in CELT will work closely with the Foundation Year learners to ensure they are engaged participants in the evaluation process.

Through the Students’ Union Representative Feedback System (RFS) and the involvement of CELT’s Student Engagement Facilitator, a formal procedure will be established to enable learners to contribute to the enhancement of the Foundation Year programme through their elected ‘Student Representative’.

In addition, the CELT team will run twice yearly ‘Foundation Year forums’ to act as an open opportunity for discussion of student representative feedback, as well as feeding forward news and enhancements to the programme. Actions will be minuted and channeled through relevant boards, committees and quality assurance processes.

In order to be admitted to the Programme applicants will need to achieve between 96-112 UCAS tariff points (from a maximum of four Advanced level qualifications). A range of qualifications meet this requirement such as A/AS Levels, BTEC, Access Courses, International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge Pre-U. Consideration may also be given to those with prior learning with the use of a bridging assessment to confirm suitability.

In addition, all students will need an Enhanced Disclosure Check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). A successful Enhanced Disclosure is required on commencing the course.

The Programme Leader for the BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care will manage the Programme. The Programme will be taught by the Health and Social Care team who have a variety of sector experience across both health and social care. In addition, sessions will be provided by experts in the field both internally, such as for research, and externally through connections the team have with the community of practice both locally and beyond.

In modules HSC40320, HSC50420 and HSC60320, students will be expected to observe practice guided by an allocated supervisor (See Section 27 – Work-related Learning). A learning agreement plan within the Practice Handbook will be completed by both student and supervisor at beginning of the placement, confirming the learning experience outcomes and action plan. This will then be completed at the end of the placement and signed by the student, supervisor and module leader. This will confirm the hours attended in practice which are essential to enable students to pass the relevant module, and provide both the student and Personal Tutor with an action plan for future learning and with the DCP.

Staffing expertise within the current Health and Social Care subject team meets the delivery needs of the modules. However, it is also recognised that contemporary practice expertise will enhance elements of teaching and learning. Mechanisms for this will use a variety of routes through placement and other practice community contacts. All external expertise will use student evaluation to further enhance the learning and teaching experience.

Close engagement with the wider professional services is a key feature of the student experience and will be embedded within each module and across the Programme. There will be sessions led by the Subject Librarian and CELT with access to and utility of these services actively encouraged.

It is acknowledged that there may be students returning to Higher Education after some time away and therefore provision will be made to support them based on their individual needs. This will be supported and monitored by their Personal Tutor in partnership with any support services and the Programme Leader.

The Programme will be evaluated using the internal feedback systems currently in place at BGU, such as the Bishop Grosseteste University Student Satisfaction Survey (BGUSSS). Other equivalents will be utilised where relevant.

There will be an end of Programme Evaluation, which has been devised by the Programme team, to facilitate triangulation with the National Student Survey (NSS).

As part of the ongoing quality assurance of the Programme, the Student Staff Consultative (SSC) will provide feedback to the Programme Management Team (who meet bi-monthly) and into other quality mechanisms. The SSC currently operates by using the Student Representative system, meeting once per semester and affording students the opportunity to address concerns in a dynamic and proactive way and provide feedback to cohorts.