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

Social care professionals provide vital support, advocacy and care to some of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in society including people with disabilities, children and families at risk, asylum seekers, people with addiction, mental health issues and the elderly. This course provides graduates with the skills and expertise to work in the social care professional and work across this diverse sector, in fields such as residential care, disability and community based services. IT Carlow’s strong links to practice facilitates students in professional practice placements throughout the course, further developing their professional skills and knowledge for future employment in areas of social care, social policy and social justice.

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.

Special Features:

• Supervised professional practice placements (taking place in Year 2 and Year 3) are an essential part of this course.

• Students are encouraged to take part in national and international competitions such as the SPARK Social Enterprise Awards and Social Care Ireland Awards for high academic achievement.
• A wide variety of external speakers from the sector deliver guest lectures on an annual basis.
• Students take part in an annual Social Care Careers Seminar hosted by IT Carlow and sector talks relating to social care practice.
• 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 Professional Social Care Practice (NFQ Level 7) after Year 3 and Higher Certificate in Arts in Applied Social Studies (NFQ Level 6) after Year 2.

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

Our strong links to industry allow us to facilitate students in professional practice placements throughout the course, further developing their professional skills and knowledge for future employment in areas of social care, social policy and social justice.