Social Studies/Social Care
Social studies/social care is about providing care, protection, welfare and advocacy in a professional fashion to people who are vulnerable. This is achieved through the planning, delivery and evaluation of programmes of care to individuals and groups. These programmes are based on identified needs and established best practice and in-depth knowledge of life-span development.
In employment terms the need for social care professionals is a growing one in Ireland. Approximately 8,000 people work in a care staff capacity in the disability services and some 1,300 people are employed in the residential child care services, to mention just two areas.
As a social care graduate you will be able to apply the principles of care to the most vulnerable individuals within the community, young and old. In order to become a reflective practitioner, you will get to connect formal learning in a college-based environment with the experiental, hands-on learning you encounter on work placement. Work placements are an essential part of your learning experience. They facilitate real learning where strengths and weaknesses can be safely explored, as you will work under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. This builds on the theory you will learn at lectures, workshops and experiential demonstrations.
You may undertake placements in residential agencies, as project work or day services. Opportunities also exist to undertake international placements.
Examples of childcare sector settings within which a social care professional may work include:
- Residential care setting with children in community-based residential care, high support and special care setting
- Reformatory and industrial schools
- Young people in after-care setting in the community
- Child protection teams
- Family support setting
- Youth and community work
- Services for young people who are homeless or suffer with addiction
- Specialist pre-schools
- Child psychiatry outpatient and in-patient setting
- Schools for children with behavioural disorders
- Remand and young offender schools
- Hospice care for children
The following are examples of the intellectual disability sector settings within which a social care professional may work
- Residential centres for children and adults with intellectual disabilities
- Schools and day centres for children with intellectual disabilities
- Respite and specialist support services for children and adults with intellectual disabilities
- Respite and residential facilities for children and adults with autism
- Support in schools for children with autism, Asperger’s syndrome and ADHD
- Supporting families in the home with children with intellectual disabilities
- Residential centres for children and adults with physical disabilities
- Schools for children with physical disabilitiesRespite centres for children and adults with physical disabilities.
Why Choose Social Studies/Social Care at AIT?
- Extensive periods of work placement are an intrinsic part of our programmes, which gives students valuable practical experience highly valued by employers. Placement settings include residential agencies, community-based projects, youth work, etc.
- Attractive and accessible for mature students, with one-fifth of students aged over 23-years.
- AIT is a pioneer in developing the academic field of social studies and social care in Irish higher education.
- The School of Humanities is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and research and offers progression to Master’s and doctoral studies.
- Lecturers have extensive experience of the private, public and voluntary sectors which enriches their teaching.
Courses
CAO courses
- Higher Cert in App Social Studies in Social Care
- Higher Cert in Childcare Supervisory Management
- BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice
Add-on courses
- BA in Applied Social Studies in Social Care
- BA in Childcare Management
- BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care
