Bachelor of Arts Applied Social Studies in Social Care

If you would like to work in a profession that provides care, protection, support, welfare and advocacy for vulnerable or dependent individuals or groups, social care will be of interest to you. Social care workers are committed to the planning and delivery of quality care and other support services in partnership with individuals and groups with identified needs. As well as protecting and advocating for individuals and groups, social care workers guide, challenge and support those entrusted to their care toward achieving their full potential.

What will I experience?

This programme offers a wide variety of learning opportunities. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills to support society's most vulnerable children and/or adults. We aim to deliver best practice in our teaching to support students to become competent and confident social care workers. Two practice placements (800 hours) are a central feature of the student's experience during the three year programme.

What opportunities might it lead to?

This programme leads to a qualification which allows graduates to work as a social care worker. It will equip students to find employment in a variety of areas such as residential care, disability services, mental health services, family support services and homelessness services.

Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting is a requirement of this programme and will comply with AIT`s Student Garda Vetting Policy and Procedure (https://www.ait.ie/contact/staff/quality/policies-procedures). Students participating in the course must be vetted in accordance with the provisions of this policy. Students must complete the National Vetting form(s) in an absolutely honest and truthful manner. Students must disclose any (and all) knowledge of a criminal conviction(s) or pending prosecution(s) in Ireland or outside the jurisdiction. Students who have resided outside of the Republic of Ireland for a period of 6 month(s) or more (from the age of 18 years) shall also be required to furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence.

It is important to note that participation in or completion of this programme may be affected by subsequent disclosure/discovery. During the Garda Vetting Process, issues that may emerge which were not declared by the student on the initial vetting form, may result in immediate termination of participation on the programme. Offences that are disclosed through the process that are considered a serious risk to children and vulnerable persons, may also result in a student's discontinuation from the programme.

The outcomes of the vetting disclosure will be shared with the placement provider. Students cannot progress to placement unless the Garda Vetting Process is complete.

Fitness to Practice

A student on the BA in Applied Social Studies in Social Care must be fit to practice. The Athlone Institute of Technology Student Fitness to Practice Policy will apply to all students on this programme (https://www.ait.ie/contact/staff/quality/policies-procedures), with special reference to the Dept of Social Sciences, Social Care Addendum. Students will be required to sign off on this, acknowledging that they have read and understood this requirement.

Attendance

The BA in Applied Social Studies in Social Care has a mandatory attendance policy. In order to have a clear record of attendance, class attendance records are kept. Attendance during practice placements is monitored by the agency. Before progressing to the next stage of the programme, students have to work additional hours to compensate for any absences during work placements, in order to fulfil the attendance requirement. Absences must be supported by verifying documentation.

CORU (Health and Social Care Regulatory Body)

AIT has submitted a programme application for CORU approval. There is no guarantee that the programme will be approved.

Grade 06 at ordinary level in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate examination. Two of these subjects must be Maths and a language (English or Irish). Note: An FL2 in Foundation Level Mathematics will be accepted as meeting the minimum Mathematics requirements for entry to this course.

Mature applicants are not required to meet minimum entry requirements. However, an interview may form part of the selection process.

QQI

Up to 20 places are reserved for QQI students. Any QQI Level 5 qualification is acceptable. Applicants, however, must hold one of the following modules: Social Studies (5N1370) or Care Provision and Practice (5N2705) or Intellectual Disability Studies (5N1652) or Care of the Older Person (5N2706) or Understanding Mental Health (5N3772) or Special Needs Assisting (5N1786).

Language Proficiency

Instruction is through the medium of English and applicants who do not have school Leaving Certificate English must provide evidence of equivalent competence by way of recognised proficiency tests in English (e.g. IELTS). Those for whom English is not their first language, but who have been resident in an English speaking country for a number of years and/or

those who have completed a QQI Award, are exempt from taking a proficiency test in English.

Foundation level programme: Certificate in English for Academic Studies: Minimum IELTS 4.5 or equivalent.

Pre-sessional Summer programme in English June to August: Minimum IELTS 5.0 or equivalent.

Undergraduate programmes: Minimum IELTS 5.5 with no Band less than 5.0.

Postgraduate programmes: Minimum IELTS 6.0 with no Band less than 5.5 *

*note some postgraduate programmes require minimum IELTS 6.5.

This programme leads to a qualification which allows graduates to work as a social care worker. It will equip students to find employment in a variety of areas such as residential care, disability services, mental health services, family support services and homelessness services.

Work Placement

Students will be required to complete two periods of practice placements (800 hours) during the programme. Students will be guided in their practice placement choice. Allocation to practice placements is based on the need to integrate theory and practice, as well as facilitate the student's progressive learning towards independence in practice.

Further Study

Graduates from this programme are eligible to apply to progress to AIT's one-year add-on in Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care (level 8) programme, or a related level 8 programme at another third-level institution. Having acquired a level 8 degree, many of our graduates choose to pursue further study at Master's level in AIT by enrolling on the one-year full-time MA in Child & Youth Studies.

Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care NFQ Level 8

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies in Social Care (Add On Level 8)

Bachelor of Arts

Application Procedures for Non-EU Students

Students applying for entry to undergraduate or postgraduate programmes should supply the following information directly to the International Office, Athlone Institute of Technology on or before 1 May for programmes commencing in September:

• Completed AIT application form;
• Detailed curriculum vitae;
• Certified transcripts of examination results and English language translations of qualifications not issued in English
• Evidence of ability to follow classes in the English language (which must satisfy Institute entry requirements for the following programmes)

• Letter of recommendation from appropriate Head of Department of own institution
• Any other relevant information regarding qualifications or previous work experience.

Students from non-EU countries must apply for a valid study visa for the duration of the programme of study in advance of registration at AIT. Visa application guidelines can be found on Department of Justice & Equality website: http://www.inis.gov.ie/