Professional Diploma in Social Care Studies

This social care course is ideal for those:

• individuals interested in social care careers
• learners seeking QQI-recognised training
• currently working in care roles and want to progress their career or branch in other area
• people progressing to further study

This Social Care course will be delivered over a period of ten weeks.

Week 1 Understanding Social Care and introduction to the Course

• Understanding of Social Care and its definitions
• Defining social care practice
• How social care differs from social work
• Professional convergence
• A brief history of social care in Ireland
• The requirements and qualities of a social care practitioner
• The qualifications a social care practitioner needs
• The job of a social care practitioner
• Social care practice: A challenging occupation

Week 2 Social care – practice, professionalism and post professionalism

• Sociological overview
• Sociology of the profession
• Approaches to the features of a social care professional
• Constructing professionalism
• Discourses of professionalism
• The professional development project in social care practice
• Performativity and institutional reform
• Post professionalism

Week 3 Psychological theories of child development

• Theories of cognitive and language development
• Piaget’s constructivist theory
• Lev Vygotsky’s social-constructivist theory
• Language development
• Learning Theory
• Applied behaviour analysis
• Theories of socio-emotional development

Week 4 Equality: A challenge to social care

• Governmental responses
• Equality and social care
• Defining equality
• Equality and inequality: The role of the State
• Inequality in Ireland
• Patterns of inequality
• Looking at Irish society through an equal lens
• The role of the social care professional

Week 5 Gender, sexuality and social care

• Examine a number of gender issues that have implications for the
  contexts, meanings and practices of social care in Ireland
• The changing landscape
• What is gender
• Gender differences and gender inequality
• Gender processes and social care
• Women and men as social care practitioners
• Sexuality and social care

Week 6 Evidence based practice in social care

• What is evidence-based practice?
• Why an evidence-based approach to practice?
• Critiquing evidence
• Practitioners as researchers

Week 7 Managing challenging behaviour

• Therapeutic social care practice
• Defining challenging behaviour and its causes
• Characteristics of behaviour management models
• Duty of care

Week 8 Residential childcare

• An understanding of residential child care and their facilities
• Young people in residential care
• Residential child care skills
• Working in residential child care settings
• Care plans and placement plans
• Residential staff
• Self-care

Week 9 Social care and the older person and people with disabilities

• Introduction
• Policy development since the 1960s
• Residential care for the older person and people with disabilities
• Legislation and improved quality of care
• Social care settings
• Quality initiatives in residential care
• The social care model for the older person and persons with disabilities

Week 10 Working with young people – disclosure, policy and practice

• Discourse and language
• Professional discourses of youth
• Youth work
• The emergence of youth work
• Principles and practice: What do youth workers do?
• Policy developments
• Professionalism, professionalisation and training

Students must attend at least 80% of classes to graduate with either the Diploma in Social Care Studies or Certificate of Attendance unless a serious and verifiable reason for further absence is provided.

If completing the Social Care course online, students’ attendance and participation in the live or recorded classes are tracked through Moodle.

The Diploma is assessed by way of written assignment (100%).

This social care course provides a strong foundation for those beginning a career in social care or seeking to progress within the sector. Graduates may pursue opportunities in areas such as:

• Social care worker positions
• Community and outreach support roles
• Disability support services
• Further education and training in social care

A City College Dublin’s Professional Diploma Course is a focused, practical programme designed and delivered by an industry practitioner, that consolidates, upskills or reskills learners in a professional area. They are stand-alone qualifications that indicate that you have been trained in a particular area or specific subject matter.

City College Dublin Diplomas are suitable for career minded learners wishing to advance their professional skills and prospects. They are widely accepted by employers and many students are sponsored to study here by their organisation.

This Social Care course provides essential skills and knowledge needed to effectively support individuals in need, including vulnerable populations such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and children in care. Key skills include communication, empathy, problem-solving, and understanding of social policies and legislation.

For those already working in the field, this Social Care course can enhance professional credentials, leading to potential promotions and higher salary prospects. It also demonstrates a commitment to the profession and continuous learning.

Working in social care allows individuals to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. It is a rewarding career where one can help improve the quality of life for individuals and communities.

During the course, students have the chance to connect with professionals in the field, including instructors and peers. These connections can be valuable for future career opportunities and professional support.

This Social Care course provides the necessary knowledge, skills to pursue a rewarding and stable career in social care. It equips individuals to make a positive difference in society, enhances career prospects, and lays the groundwork for further educational and professional development.

*Course content is subject to review after each intake and may be updated in line with industry standards.

In addition to our scheduled Professional Diploma courses, City College Dublin can provide bespoke training over 3 – 4 days, please contact [email protected] for further details.