In addition, because the degree is delivered by distance learning, through ICS it is uniquely suited to meet the flexibility required by its students. Social care workers, like many in the helping professions, have demanding work schedules that limit traditional educational opportunities. Through ICS, there are no fixed term times, and no set timetables for courses. This allows students to work at the own their pace based on their own schedule. Online course management functionality allows students to submit test papers and queries online, see instant test results and benefit from the latest study resources, anytime from anywhere.
The program curriculum, drawn from market research and information from academics and industry professionals, provides skill training and learning resources geared to the unique requirements of those serving as caregivers in home, residential, assisted living and other settings. Prior to this program, the only formal qualifications available to care workers were National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), foundation social care degrees or generic social work degrees. However, those programs didn’t necessarily support the needs of the vast array of individuals performing the highly valuable and challenging caregiving roles.
There has been a debate on formalising the qualifications for individuals working within social care since February last year, when the Department of Health’s community care minister, Dr. Stephen Ladyman, made a speech to TOPSS England (the employment-led strategic body for workforce development in social care, from April 2005 renamed ‘Skills for Care’).
The ICS Social Care degree launches at the same time the Department of Health begins a national recruitment campaign to encourage more people to find out about opportunities in social care work. Advertising will be appearing on television, radio and in the press, nationally and locally, across England.
Launched in March 2006, the BA (Hons) Social Care degree is the only specific full social care degree available in the UK. For more information, email icsdegreeadvisors@ics-uk.co.uk or visit: http://www.icslearn.co.uk/distance-learning-degree/health-social-care-degrees/ba-social-care/