Social Care Distance Learning Course NUI Galway

bails01

Hi Owla,
I don't mean to upset you in any way or take anything away from your hard work on your course believe me, I just want to make sure anyone who is thinking of handing out huge fees and spending long hours studying just need to be aware of the problems others who have finished the degree are facing so that they can get the full picture and perhaps ask more questions before embarking on the course. I know others that were on the course that work with children and others that work in the disability sector I have continued to stay in touch with them and they tell me that the degree has not made any difference to their work. They are all in the same jobs as before starting the degree and have looked around for jobs that would now be more suitable with the degree, but they say that there is alot of confusion regarding the degree. One of the people working in the disability sector said that positions that they have apply for has left them feeling that employers first of all and I suppose naturally enough will assume that having a degree means that this person will be looking for more wages and as it is not compulsory to employ an individual with this or any degree in social care why would they pay out more???? No that is their opinion that is why I asked for people to reply so I could get an idea of what other people have experienced. I would love to hear from others who have completed the degree to see what difference if any the degree has made to their work or if they have come across confusion like we have.
I have contacted CORU myself and I kept the email they sent I wouldn't put it up as it would identify me publicly which I do not want at the moment, but basically they say that they will be hopefully dealing with this issue in the future but cannot guarantee when this will be which also has me thinking what if my degree is kind of outdated by then and I end up having to pay more to up grade my degree that hasn't benefited me and also how long will we be waiting for our degree to be recognised and put into action.
I know what you are saying with regards working with the elderly that nurses and care assistants seem to be the ones looking after older people but isn't this why we have so many problems within the nursing homes etc. Surely qualifications are needed so employers can see an individuals commitment to working within this sector. I also find it terribly upsetting that people who I know that have no qualifications what so ever are supervising, and in cases managing staff and people like me who have shown dedication through degrees and work cannot secure these positions. But again as I have said when you don't need to employ people with qualifications and pay extra for them why do that when you can get people not qualified to do the same job cheaper??????? Am I wrong in my thinking???????? please do comment!!

rustopher

Probation officier is what a friend of mine is doing, the money is good working in resdiential care and where I am volunteering in the youth club they pay €19 per hour!! So I know there are some well paid jobs out of this but just dont know how plentiful they are.

God I really hope so as I already have a diploma in art but no work in that so I am starting over... was thinking I could combine and do art therapy!!!:rolleyes:

rustopher

Oh I just read your second email, I was told the day of hiring someone without qualification of some kind is gone. I also know that some of the more mature students in my class need this course in order to gain better employment status with in their sector and thats why they are doing this course despite having loads of years experience.

bails01

Hi rustopher,
Thanks for the glimmer of hope concerning jobs. Nice to know qualification is benefiting someone. But unfortunately what you say about employers not hiring people without some kind of qualification isn't quite what I am coming accross. Take for instance I know a woman a bit younger than me who done a FETAC level 5 community care course and she got a job in front of another woman I know of similar age with more experience and the social care degree we are talking about. Like whats that all about Don't get me wrong I was very pleased for the other woman but to get a the job with less experience and less qualifications was to me off putting do you not think. Moreover there are alot of people who are working especially within the elderly sector who are not qualified and in supervisory and management roles and have not even been approached to do some sort of qualifications. I really wanted to work within the elderly sector but it looks like I will have to completely change my direction which to me (not bragging) the elderly sector is loosing good people with qualifications. If any of you here any more about the qualification or job prospects available to people with this qualification I would appreciate an email that it might lift our spirits anyway as it might prove that the age of non qualified people getting jobs could be on the way out

owla

Hi bails
I would say the elderly sector in Ireland is definitley a nurses department, unless you get involved in some type of agency, perhaps, like age action or some such like. So if you want to use your degree maybe you should think of changing sector? i don't work in this sector myself so know very little about it but it doesnt seem like a large employer for social care grads?
Now I have been extremely concerned about the course, and I too have been onto Coru. There was an extremely positive lady on the telephone who said the next 5 boards are currently underway, its on the ministers desk. Social care is on the next panel. She is hoping for 2012. Regarding the qualification, all qualifications will be reviewed once the board is set up. She said to me she that everythign is 'moving' along and to keep an eye on the website.
I hope this makes you feel better!
Also I agree that people with no social care quals are getting jobs. The again who is applying for the jobs. Perhaps not people always with the qualifications. In the case of your friend its seemed really bad. Did she leave the organisation.

owla

sorry 2012 for the next 5 boards. social care 2013.

owla

this thread very quiet, i guess that you have heard it all from Coru before now bails01! just checking in to see how the moral is and to see if you're doing alright! I am finding the course very difficult, I am hoping that the lady in Coru was telling the 'veritas' and the boards are moving, if slowly, along.

rustopher

do u think its difficult? What yr are u in? I think its ok once keep on top of it. Just hope its worth it in the end!

macannrb

bails01 wrote: »

So take me for instance I was a care assistant before starting the course I done the course hoping to be able to apply for jobs up the ladder, but guess what???? after spending years doing the course and shelling out thousands in fees to the university I am STILL A CARE ASSISTANT (a poorer one might I add), degree doesn't count for anything.

This is interesting, you seem to feel entitled to be in a better position automatically after finishing your degree. This is simply rubbish. A degree in for most jobs simply helps open doors, and helps you get ahead other workers who have the same skills and experience as you. Look at Enda Kenny, he is not qualified for anything except being a primary school teacher.

Also the degree does count for a lot. It is a level 8 degree, gained over 4 years, part time. My degree (which is very obscure also) was gained over 4 years full time, with 32 hours a week and plenty of case studies and project work on top of that. Both are from Irish Universities, so that stands for a lot. , Focus on selling that to employers, graduates from a University. They will know what that means. Social carers typically aren't good at selling themselves, so trust me on that.

If an employer doesn't want to take that into account, that's their right, but you can move on, and find another one if you chose. But I suggest that if you got your job without a degree, than a degree probably won't help you in your role. So find another one that will reward it. If there isn't one, broaden your search, and if there still isn't one remember that there are countless solicitors out there will level 9 qualifications who are out of work and more qualified than you, because of the recession.

If you were in the HSE, you would likely go up a pay grade/scale, but I am not in that organisation so I don't know for certain.

bails01 wrote: »

Take for instance I know a woman a bit younger than me who done a FETAC level 5 community care course and she got a job in front of another woman I know of similar age with more experience and the social care degree we are talking about. Like whats that all about Don't get me wrong I was very pleased for the other woman but to get a the job with less experience and less qualifications was to me off putting do you not think. Moreover there are alot of people who are working especially within the elderly sector who are not qualified and in supervisory and management roles and have not even been approached to do some sort of qualifications.

Welcome to the job market dynamics. Qualifications are not the be all and end all. The girl with the level 5 might have had far better personal skills, be a better man manager and project manager, which can't be thought in a classroom. The other womans experience might not have come across in the interview. There are lots of realistic possibilities.

While my employment industry is different , I hear a lot from my OH who is doing this course, and is employed in the social care industry. The basics are the same, if there is more work than qualified workers, employers can't put qualified people into the jobs as there isn't enough supply, ie if there are 100 jobs and only 20 qualified workers, employers will be forced to hire unqualified staff. Also, if the employer has someone who will work for x, and they are then they get a degree, they aren't always going to give them x+y. They are a business after all. And money is in short supply these days.

Realistically this is a recognised course in terms of the Higher Education Authority, by virtue of a University in Ireland giving the award. Whether your employer wants or has a position that is suited to someone holding a degree is another story. And no one can guarantee anyone a job these days, but someone with a degree at a university will on average fare far better than someone without.

If you are doing this degree do it for the right reasons. Do it to help you get the experience you need to move into a better job. The degree might only get you into a job with the same wage, but it might give you the experience you require to eventually get the job you want. Unless you are in a state employer, you won't get more money for doing the same job just now with a degree.

Ronan H

macannrb wrote: »

But I suggest that if you got your job without a degree, than a degree probably won't help you in your role.

Nice post. I agree with all of it except the point above.

I got my Social Care job without a qualification, and while in the job I studied for the degree. It was immensely beneficial...

I was 4-5 years into my job when I started studying. The course helped to put a theoretical framework on what i had been merely "doing" for the past few years. It helped me to understand the theories and principles behind what I was doing on a daily basis in my job, and that, was invaluable.

Also, having a number of years work experience prior to studying, and continuing to work while I was studying, I was easily able to apply myself to the material we were covering in college. It made far more sense to me having worked it and "done it" rather than if I had gone in cold withoiut any experience and was just hearing all the principles and theories fresh without any context to set it against.

If the degree that a person is studying, is linked to what they are doing, I personally can't see how it would not be beneficial. Just because someone got a job without a qualification doesnt mean that a qualification would be of no use, or that the job is of a lesser level of integrity. Remember that it is only in the past 3-5 years that having a Social Care qualification is becoming a compulsory and almost legal requirement if people are looking for work in Social Care. I walked into my job nine years ago, with no experience whatsoever, purely because I was a male, and there are not many (well there weren't then) males working in the area. Today, balls or not, it would be extremely difficult to walk into the same job.

Education is always relevant and beneficial. It is also always difficult, but it is worth sticking out.

Ronan

Anyusername

Possible to get a first class honours or 2.1 in this course? Looking at Carlow it to do it and then a masters in Sw. Are you marked on placements or how does it work? Thanks

Ronan H

Anyusername wrote: »

Possible to get a first class honours or 2.1 in this course? Looking at Carlow it to do it and then a masters in Sw. Are you marked on placements or how does it work? Thanks

There are two variants of the course:

1. BA (Ord.) Social Care aKa Ordinary degree
2. BA (Hons.) Social Care aKa Honours degree

For the ordinary degree (3 years) it is graded in terms of Distinction, Merit, Pass etc.

For the honours degree (4 years) it is graded First Class Honours (1:1), Second Class Honours (2:1) etc.

Having a high grade in the honours course would give you the best chance of getting into the Social Work masters course, but I think it is also possible to be accepted with a very high grade ordinary degree also. Some masters courses have an interview based entry system, in which case, how you do in the interview can have a huge effect on getting accepted, even if one has an ordinary degree.

The placements are marked as a pass or fail. The academic end of the course is based on continuous assessment and written exams, and there is uaually a minimum attendance requirement also, 70% IIRC.

FYI, it is possible to get into the "in-service" degree course if you are employed in Social Care. The course runs one day a week and still includes placements etc. Entry to the in-service course is based on a written application (which includes a basic form and some mini essay type answers) and an interview.

Any other questions, just ask!

Ronan

Edit: My apologies, what I have said above does not apply to the NUI courses, not that I am aware of anyway. I do not know about the NUI course. My answer above is based on the DIT Social Care courses. Sorry about that, I lost track of the thread! :rolleyes:

I have left the answer as is however, as the last poster asked about Carlow, which is an IT (Institute of Technology) based course, and some of the information above will still apply.

Cracker_Jack

Aren't the Government trying to get rid of Social Workers? If memory puts me right, they are not replacing retirees.

Ronan H

This thread is moreso about Social Care qualifications rather than Social Work qualifications and/or Social Workers. There is a difference between Social Care Workers and Social Workers...

Regarding your comment, I haven't heard anything along the lines of the government wanting to get rid of Social Workers, in fact, evidence in the past year suggests the opposite because despite the recruitment freeze, my wifes HSE SW department have received a number of new team members. It appears to be one of the only sections of the HSE where they are still filling posts despite the freeze...

Cracker_Jack

These jobs are right in the firing line of budget cuts I'm afraid. I can't see them continuing in 2012 and certainly not in 2013 or thereafter. There are more budget cuts looming. This isn't really an area of high job availability.

Anyusername

Ronan H wrote: »

This thread is moreso about Social Care qualifications rather than Social Work qualifications and/or Social Workers. There is a difference between Social Care Workers and Social Workers...

Regarding your comment, I haven't heard anything along the lines of the government wanting to get rid of Social Workers, in fact, evidence in the past year suggests the opposite because despite the recruitment freeze, my wifes HSE SW department have received a number of new team members. It appears to be one of the only sections of the HSE where they are still filling posts despite the freeze...

Thanks for that. Not sure if will do masters as of yet. Would love to be able to shadow a sw but I know that is not possible so it's hard to know what to ! At least with social care you have some idea.

I have been reading the Shane Dunphy books, v v good and always wondered why he did not become a sw. Think he worked as a child protection worker and now teaches in WIT.

rustopher

i have completed 2 yrs now, is it worth teavelling to galway to finish the next 2 yrs? Is attendence a big issue as i have to travel a long way??? I know its been a while since anyone has posted here but i could do with some feedback!!??

Ronan H

Well, have you paid to do the course for the two years so far? If you have, and you don't continue, then you have paid out, what, €6000 so far for two years? Will that have been worthwhile if you don't go back and finish the next two years?

Attendance is always an issue. You should know after two years what the attendance requirement is, and if not, it not hard to find out. The more time you miss however, the harder it is going to be when it comes to exams and assignments, especially if you are considering flirting around the edges of the minimum attendance figures.

If you don't finish the course, it is almost a certainty that you will find it harder to find jobs in the area. That's not to say that you won't get jobs, but it will be harder to get them, and people with qualifications will generally have a better position in a job chase than someone without a qualification, not always, but usually. Would you be happy to work for someone who is willing to hire unqualified staff? That's not in line with National Standard in most cases.

Think about down the line, ten years, twenty years into your Social Care career. You might want to do a masters or specialise in something? You'll have to finish your degree before you will get into a masters at that stage. Will you be kicking yourself then? Are you serious about a life career in Social Care? Are you doing it for the sake or doing something? Are you really interested in Social Care? You have to ask yourself these questions. If you don't think you will be working in Social Care in a few years, then it might be wise to quit and try and figure out what you actually want to do. If you do want to pursue a career in SOcial Care then I think that quitting now would be the worst thing you could do.

Ro

rustopher

Thanks Ronan,

I reckon your right, today i received a reply to a job search saying I can not be concidered for the position without a degree. So I guess i will continue then. I asked because its getting closer to decision time, and people here are a bit sceptical of the degree on top of the fact that every year this course gets further and further away.:mad:

After spending near about what u said on fees, its better not to waste it now alright but reckon these 2 yrs are enough as i have seen enough courses in my life and i'm in my 30's now! Dunno will I ever get this job thing sorted...its depressing, i am still looking for work in relation to social care but i do volunteer a lot. Its time i got paid for some of the work i do!!! i am serious about the course, its interesting although broad, but i presume that will change next yr.

I asked about attendence because i didnt miss one class in the last 2 years but i rem others missed a good bit. I just reckon i wont make every class, but will make the effort.

Thanks again Ronan

Ronan H

rustopher wrote: »

its better not to waste it now alright but reckon these 2 yrs are enough as i have seen enough courses in my life and i'm in my 30's now

Hello again.

What do you mean when you say that you reckon these 2 years are enough?

rustopher

Sorry i mean the next 2 years....as in, i am going to finish the degree. Just have 2 years done so far but i think it would benefit me. Just going through a phase where i have had enough of college but i need to finish it out ....:cool: That was in reply to you suggesting that i may want to do a masters after the degree!

owla

what do you mean this course is getting further and further away? I am also doing this course, i have missed a few workshops along the way and its ok you will manage but it definitely makes the work easier if you attend, you feel a bit lost at sea after missing workshops

Ronan H

rustopher wrote: »

Sorry i mean the next 2 years....as in, i am going to finish the degree. Just have 2 years done so far but i think it would benefit me. Just going through a phase where i have had enough of college but i need to finish it out ....:cool: That was in reply to you suggesting that i may want to do a masters after the degree!

Aah my bad, I misinterpreted!

rustopher

Hi Owla,

What i mean is that when i started the course was in carlow, then portarlington and now Galway... Galway is a good run for me, i couldnt drive there and back in the same day meaning its going to cost me....so annoying!!!Hate the thoughts of it:eek: Bad weather could prevent me making every class as well.

owla

yea i know what you mean, i am overnighting in Galway aswell as its too far for me to go and come back in one day.... the workshops are only once a month for the third year so its manageable... just about

rustopher

owla wrote: »

yea i know what you mean, i am overnighting in Galway aswell as its too far for me to go and come back in one day.... the workshops are only once a month for the third year so its manageable... just about

once a month? really??? that cuts it in half then, i presumed it would be every 2 weeks like last yr!! (first year was once a month). So are u going into the final year then? I am waiting for more info from the college about the class dates, All i know is we start sept 15. I have to find out how often, i hope your right!:)

p.s Is third year difficult? any module in particular u found more difficult than others??

owla

Hi Rustopher
the workshops are every 3 - 4 weeks. 2nd year was the same though so i dont know if they changed the workshop times for your year?
Yes I am going into fourth year, like you I will miss some workshops as I have other things going on.
I would be lying if i told you third year wasnt tough going, but it it maneagable, you will manage with the books they provide. There is very reasonable accomodation available around the college and hospital for overnighting.
good luck with it
owla

rustopher

thanks owla, who do i talk to re the accomodation, is it the college? How much is it to stay over? I justed checked our timetable and it is 2 classes per month on average. :rolleyes:

owla

that is interesting, we had workshops every 3 and sometimes 4 weeks, but perhaps you are finishing up earlier in the year? Everyone misses some workshops so dont worry
you will have to get accomodation yourself as far as i know
try<snip>, that is a fairly reasonable b and b but it is about 10 mins walk from the college in a place called Beechmount Park. I have stayed there. Google for some that are nearer the uni, there are loads on that road. Just see who gives the best price. Always call as that is going to be cheaper as opposed to booking online (I think)
Owla

rustopher

well the last 2 years we finished up early (April) so yeah maybe thats it! Thanks for the contact number and info re accomodation. Cheers!!;)