Written answers

Tuesday, 22 May 2018

Department of Education and Skills

Third Level Courses Availability

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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185. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason students attending a two year HND in social care in a college (details supplied) with an expectation that they would be able to progress into the third year of an appropriate course in a third level institution were told at the end of this term that they would now only be able to progress into a second year course at the institution; if this decision rests with CORU or the institution concerned; and if a return to the original arrangement is possible allowing the students to transfer across to third year in the institution. [21997/18]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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This matter was resolved on 2 May between the two institutions referred to by the Deputy.  The third level institution has and continues to maintain excellent relations with the college. Advanced entry to third year will continue to be offered in September 2018. However, advanced entry into any programme is subject to the applicant meeting minimum entry criteria and the availability of places on the target programme. 

The situation surrounding Social Care Practice is complex due to an evolving regulatory environment. This includes significant change with respect to the design and management of education programmes in the area of social care practice. This is necessary if such programmes are to achieve recognition from CORU, the statutory regulatory agency concerned, for listing under the Approved Qualifications Bye-Law. This recognition will be essential if programme graduates are to be eligible to apply for entry onto the Social Care Workers Register as professional practitioners, which is a key objective for any such programme. Social care practice programmes are in the process of being redesigned to meet the new CORU criteria, a process expected to be complete in the autumn.

 Students are required to achieve certain learning proficiencies at each stage of their programme. This includes a requirement for a minimum of 800 hours of practice placement divided over 2 or more blocks demonstrating that the proficiencies have been met and supervised by a qualified Social Care Worker Registered with CORU. Programmes as currently constructed, cannot accommodate this large volume of hours within a single academic year. Because of this, a student completing a 2 year programme with one provider and seeking advanced level entry to year 3 of a higher level programme with another provider, must be able to demonstrate that they have successfully completed substantial placement hours that comply with the standards established by CORU. Their initial programme of study will also need to be consistent with CORU criteria. These criteria will come into effect from September 2019.

As this new landscape develops, the third level institution will continue to work with the college to devise appropriate pathways for their HND students to progress onto higher-level programmes.

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