Inclusive Practice, FdA

AT A GLANCE

This Foundation Degree is taught by Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) specialists who are all experienced in working with individuals with complex additional needs, communication
difficulties and challenging behaviours.

With the number of people in education with disabilities, learning difficulties and mental health conditions increasing every year, there is a growing need for practitioners who are able to implement inclusive practices that recognise the diversity of students and enable them to fully participate in learning, teaching and assessment activities.

This course aims to enhance the skills of those working with people with learning differences or disabilities in a range of settings, and provides students with a broad understanding of partnership working across relevant sectors.

The subjects of person-centred planning and self-directed service and the principles of equality, diversity and safeguarding underpin the ethos of this course. The programme also offers participants the chance to specialise in areas of particular interest, such as the autism spectrum and specific behavioural, emotional and social difficulties.

By enrolling on this course, you’ll also gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of children and young people who may have been marginalised or excluded from
traditional educational settings.

It is taught by a highly qualified and experienced lecturing team in our Knightstone Campus in the centre of Weston. You’ll also have access to the multimillion pound redevelopment of the Winter Gardens building on Weston seafront. The brand new facility includes bright and spacious learning zones, technology suites, a modern library and a café, and it is open later in the evenings and at weekends so students can study when it suits them.

You’ll also be invited to attend optional daytrips at an additional expense. In recent years, for example, students from this course have visited the Autism Show in Birmingham and attended talks by the National Autistic Society in London.

One of the things that sets UCW apart is our focus on work-based learning and this course includes a significant work experience element to prepare students for the real world of work. UCW’s commitment to great graduate outcomes is also underpinned by our students having access to a Careers Coaching service for the whole time they are enrolled with us.

This Foundation Degree in Inclusive Practice is a Level 5 qualification equivalent to the first two years of a full Honours Degree. It has been designed with input from employers in the education sector and combines academic study with real world learning, meaning you’ll gain relevant knowledge and experience that organisations are looking for in the candidates they hire.

Please click on the next tab to find out more about what you’ll learn on this programme and how it is delivered. The information below is about our partnership with UWE Bristol and what is and isn’t included in the tuition fees.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the course leader Jenny Sutherland or UCW’s HEART team. It would also be great to meet you and show you around at our next Open Day.

Our partnership with UWE Bristol

Course costs

Full-time tuition fees: £8,250 per year.

This covers all of the teaching and assessment elements that are required for students to complete the course.

It also includes:

The use of UCW equipment and facilities.
Attendance at guest lectures and conferences at UCW.
Annual £10 printing and photocopying allowance for full-time.
The use of UCW computer equipment at any of our campuses and access to Microsoft Office 365 while you are enrolled with UCW.
The loans of books from our libraries.
Access to all of the UCW student support and careers services.

It does not include:

An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check at a cost of £44, which may be required.
Extra printing and photocopying above the £10 limit.
Optional daytrips at an approximate cost of £50 each.
The cost of books that you may wish to purchase.
Transport to/from your partner university and any work placements. We encourage students to take advantage of termly bus passes to reduce transport costs.
Accommodation and other living expenses.

UCW publishes its Tuition Fees Policy on the Wider Information Set page of this website.

You may also be eligible for additional financial support, depending on your circumstances.

All of the modules on this course compulsory and worth 30 credits. Successful completion of all of the modules in the first year is worth 120 credits at Level 4 and equivalent to a Certificate of Higher Education. Successful completion of the second year is also worth 120 credits and will lead to the award of the Level 5 Foundation Degree.

Year 1:

Contributing to the support of people on the autism spectrum (30 credits) – enhance your understanding of how to implement practices to make education and community settings inclusive for people on the autism spectrum.
Positive interaction with learners (30 credits) – learn how to help students manage themselves socially and emotionally and study the theoretical frameworks for understanding behaviour.
The voice of the learner (30 credits) – develop study skills in areas including behaviour observations and session planning.
Thinking and learning (30 credits) – reflect upon the key theories and debates on the nature of learning from the perspective of inclusivity.

Year 2:

Autism spectrum and communication skills (30 credits) – understand how to improve the personal and educational provision for those on the autism spectrum.
Independent study (30 credits) – conduct independent research in an inclusive practice area of particular interest.
Issues of mental health (30 credits) – explore how mental health conditions can impact upon education and employment.
Professional practice (30 credits) – work with people with specialist requirements and document the practice to a professional standard.

Teaching and assessment

This course is taught via a combination of lectures, seminars, skills practice, presentations, case studies and workshops. UCW’s Higher Education Library Plus (HE.LP) team also deliver a series of sessions on degree-level research and academic writing to all first-year students. When not in scheduled lecturers and seminars, students are expected to continue learning through independent self-study. This involves reading relevant literature, working on individual and group projects, and undertaking research in preparation for coursework and exams.

This course has an average of 8 hours of scheduled teaching per week and students are also required to undertake a work experience placement totalling 600 hours.

At UCW, we also understand that some students benefit from more contact time with lecturers than is the norm at a traditional university, so we do all we can to make sure academic staff are available for their students when they are needed.

Assessment is via a combination of practical exams and coursework, with an assessment breakdown of 20% practical exams and 80% coursework.

Please click on the Course Handbook button to find out more.

Students who pass this course are eligible to apply for related Honours Top-up Degrees, for example the BA (Hons) Top-up Degree in Education and Professional Practice at UWE Bristol.
Graduates of this course are also qualified to work in areas including specialist support, youth/advocacy work and mentorship, in alternative educational settings, and also in various roles in health and social care.

A relevant Level 3 qualification such as an Award in Supporting Individuals with Learning Difficulties, or equivalent, in addition to Level 2 English and Maths at grade C (level 4 under the new GCSE grading system).

Applications will only be considered from those with professional experience in the field of inclusive practice.

Applicants must also be employed in a suitable setting in either a paid or voluntary role.

Applicants are also required to attend an interview.

Course length
Full-time: 2 years (1 day a week)
Start date
7th September 2020
Course codes
Institution: W47
Course: X161
Campus: –
Tuition fees
Full-time: £8,250 per year

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Course handbook

Programme Specification

UWE Bristol Terms and Conditions

UCW Terms and Conditions

Delivered in partnership…

This course is delivered in partnership with the University of the West of England (UWE).

So students get the best of both worlds – the enhanced support and increased contact with lecturers that sets us apart, and full access to all the resources and facilities at UCW and a nearby university.