Individual, Family and Community Support

Code SE943
Level 8
Duration 4 years
Credits 240

Location Waterford
Campus College Street

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The BA (Hons) in Individual, Family and Community Support is a four year level 8 programme that equips graduates to work within the community and voluntary sector. Graduates are prepared to work with a range of individuals, families and communities experiencing disadvantage and social injustice. This work can include working with ‘ not for profit’ organisations, who are often funded by the state, or with community groups that work with vulnerable groups in society.

The overall aim of the programme is to prepare graduates as reflexive, ethically-aware practitioners who can apply their knowledge and skills to a range of settings, to support, empower individuals, families and communities, in order to make positive changes in their lives, to challenge social injustice and work to effect positive social change.

The course involves the study of related disciplines of Sociology, Social Policy, Psychology, Law, Applied Practice, Personal and Professional Development and Professional Practice Placement, Management and Research.

Special Feature of the BA (Hons) in Individual, Family and Community Support:

All students must successfully complete supervised work-based placements in an SETU approved practice placement setting. Placement occurs in Semester 3 and 6, and consists in total of 800 hours of supervised practice placement (400 hours per placement). Placements are spread across the South East region and beyond. There is no certainty that your approved placement will be close to your home.

Year 1

Semester 1	Semester 2
Disability Studies, Theories, Models and Practice	Working with Families and Young People in the Community
Health and Safety in Practice Settings	Applied Sociology
Working for Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities 1	Working for Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities 2
Key Academic Skills	Introduction to Social Policy
Lifespan Developmental Psychology	Irish Law and Individual Rights
PPD and Creative Practice 1	PPD and Creative Practice 2

Year 2

Semester 3	Semester 4
Practice Placement 1	Inequalities and disadvantage in Irish Social Policy
Practice Placement Portfolio 1	Health and Wellbeing
Developing Professional Skills in Practice 1	Irish Law and Protecting Children from Harm
	Models of Practice in Community and Youth Settings
	Psychological Disorders and Mental Health
	Sociology of the Family: Context, Transformation and Support

Year 3

Semester 5	Semester 6
Citizenship and Rights in Irish Social Policy	Practice Placement 2
Introduction to Research for Practice	Practice Placement Portfolio 2
Legal Protection of Vulnerable Adults	Developing Professional Skills in Practice 2
PPD and Facilitation Skills
Social Psychology
Working with Older People

Year 4

Semester 7	Semester 8
Addiction Studies	Ethics, Human Rights and Social Justice
Advanced Facilitation for Social Change	Management and Professional Practice 2
Applied Research Skills	Participation & Engagement within the Community & Voluntary Sector
Management and Professional Practice 1	Sociology of Youth
Understanding Communities and Social Justice	Working with Intersectional Inequalities
Understanding Law in the Workplace	The Policy Process: Key Actors and Influences

Leaving Cert: Minimum entry requirements for BA (Hons) in Individual, Family and Community Support.

2 subjects H5,

4 subjects O6/H7,

English or Irish O6/H7,

Full QQI FET Level 5 or level 6 Award, including a distinction grade in at least three modules.

Advanced and Equivalent Entry for BA (Hons) in Individual, Family and Community Support:

There is no health requirement for admission to this programme. However, some Placement Organisations may require students to be immunised against specific infectious diseases.

Recognition of Prior Learning: Individuals with relevant prior learning may use the Recognition of Prior Learning process to seek admission to this programme, or seek exemptions from modules.

Other Requirements:

Students undertaking the BA (Hons) in Individual, Family and Community Support must meet the requirements of the School of Humanities Student Fitness to Practise Policy and School of Humanities Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Graduates of the BA in Individual, Family and Community Support, will be able to take up a range of employment within the following type of settings: