Leadership in Therapeutic Child & Social Care

Course Outline
This programme aims to enhance the learners' knowledge and skill in the use of a variety of therapeutic approaches to the treatment of children and adults who have suffered emotional and psychological hurts. The course utilises a psychodynamic understanding of troubled people and their families and of the services that support and assist them.

Learners are also provided with a comprehensive theoretical base and the opportunity to develop original research.

Who is this programme for?
This programme is for qualified practitioners in Social Care (and similar professions) who wish to work therapeutically and at a deeper level. You may be leading or intending to lead and want to make a difference.

Three great reasons to study this course:

• Comprehensive support for personal, professional and academic needs of learner.

• Strong focus on the therapeutic community model of practice and its application in different agencies and settings.

• Enhanced career opportunities into positions such as Service Directors, Team Leaders and academic opportunities.

Course Modules

• Advanced Therapeutic Child and Social Care.

• Philosophy and Ethics of Leadership in Therapeutic Child and Social Care.
• Observing and Understanding Organisational Life.
• Leadership and Management Issues.
• Experiential Group: Leading Self & Leading Self and Others.
• Research Methods and Dissertation.

Work Placement:
Visit of Observation
Students have the unique opportunity to be a participant observer for 5 days at a work setting of their choice. This allows learners to see and experience how the work setting of their choice works and operates. Students' choice may be informed by their professional interest or the focus of their dissertation. The Visit is undertaken during the summer break between Year 1 and Year 2.

Residential Community Experience
During the course, learners will twice have an opportunity, away from the campus, to experience living together as a community. This experience deepens the learning process and has been a huge contribution to the success of the students on the course.

Minimum Entry Requirements:

• Hold a primary degree (Honours Bachelor) in Applied Social Studies or equivalent*

• Be registered or eligible to register as a professional Social Care Worker**

• Be in employment in a human services agency as a manager, team leader or front-line practitioner

• Satisfactory pass at interview.

*Applicants who do not satisfy the academic criteria may be accepted onto the course if the Course Selection Board is satisfied that they have the ability to complete the course and are well placed to make good use of it.

**Applications are welcome from those professionally qualified in a discipline other than social care who have at least two years' professional practice experience. Please note, this programme is not a professional award for registration as a Social Care Worker.

When to Apply: Applications now invited; interviews will be held Spring 2023

2 Years (part-time)

Part-time learning with one day per week on-campus.

Application forms can be downloaded from the Carlow College website at: www.carlowcollege.ie

Further Study
This degree programme also provides a solid foundation for further study and research in areas such as Community Development, Equality, Advocacy and Inclusion, Media and Communications, Sustainability, Social Justice, Politics and International Relations, Peace and Conflict, Social Policy and Social Work.

Career Prospects
Graduates from this programme commonly take up key positions to drive change and influence social care practice, such as Directors of Services, Managers, Team Leaders, Consultants to Staff Teams, Therapists, and Social Care Lecturers.