Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Applied Social Studies in Professional Social Care Practice at Institute of Technology Carlow

This course prepares graduates to work in social care providing support and assistance to vulnerable people in the community and in residential services. For example, social care workers gain employment working with groups such as children and young people at risk and/or who have been neglected and abused, people with disabilities and older people. The course engages a range of teaching strategies include a 12-week placement in a social care agency in both 2nd and 3rd year (400 hours each year). As these placements involve working with vulnerable people, offers for the course may be withdrawn if applicants do not successfully complete the Garda vetting process.

Special Features:

• A variety of teaching, learning and assessment methodologies are used such as discussions, group projects, placements, facilitations, poster displays, problem-based learning and case studies.

• Practice placements (400 hours per placement) in Years 2 and 3 allow for the development of skills associated with professional client relationships.
• Research projects are used to develop student’s knowledge of the crossfunctional nature of social care services.
• Graduates are employed in a wide range of agencies providing social care services to clients with a variety of social care needs, including the HSE and the TUSLA Child and Family Agency.
• Exit award – Bachelor of Arts in Applied Social Studies in Professional Social Care (NFQ Level 7) after Year 3 and Higher Certificate in Applied Social Studies – Professional Social Care (NFQ Level 6).

What will I be able to do when I finish the course?

Graduates are able to take up front line positions in a diverse range of social care services and will act as a base for project coordination, supervision and management. These include: residential services (adolescent, vulnerable older people); community development; family support; community child-care and community disability services.