FDA Professional Practice in Leadership and Management for Care Services

Overview & facilities

This practice-based Foundation Degree Professional Practice in Leadership and Management for Care Services (FDA) is a nationally recognised higher education qualification that we provide in partnership with care sector employers. The curriculum has been developed in conjunction with care organisations and Skills for Care, an employer-led member of the Sector Skills Council. The FDA has been created to meet the need for highly trained and committed management with the skills and knowledge to drive best practice and innovation within the care sectors.

The FDA builds on the level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young peoples Services. This means that if you already have the Diploma, or equivalent qualification such as Leadership and Management for Care (LMC), you will receive academic credits for your achievement and move straight onto the Middlesex modules.  Alternatively, you can integrate your FDA studies with the Diploma by undertaking the Diploma with our training partner OPPS Training and Development or with other recognised providers

Why undertake the FDA?

The course is designed to provide the industry recognition and capabilities that you require to progress your leadership and management career within the health and care sectors. The work-based approach means that you will be continuing to build highly relevant skills and insights which add to your practice, thereby enhancing your confidence and ability to respond to change and meet the challenges of providing high quality care. In addition, the FDA provides a pathway through to full honours degree and postgraduate study.

How is the FDA studied?

The university modules will take a similar practical, work-based approach of the diploma. This approach means that your university modules will build directly on from the diploma modules, reinforcing and extending your learning.  Not only does this mean that your studies remains entirely relevant, you will develop essential reflective learning skills as well as enhancing your existing problem solving, collaborative working, and presentation skills.

Who is it for?

You will currently be in a leadership, or senior practitioner role within the health or social care services and are keen to progress your management career.  This course is particularly well suited to senior workers in adult care settings including residential, community based or domiciliary. Alternatively it is also highly relevant to practitioners pursuing careers in children’s and youth settings. 

Benefits

 The FDA enables you to:

• meet the national occupational standards for working in a leadership or advanced practitioner role in the care sector,
• benefit from a close working relationship with our experienced academic staff,
• access the universities first class facilities, resources and academic support,
• study as part of a community of practice,
• develop the capabilities to lead and respond to change 

Content & modules

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young Peoples Services (80 credits @ L5)
L5 diploma offered by our training partner OPPS Training and Development. 

Reflective Bridging Module (40 credits @ L4)
This module runs alongside the diploma and provides you with the opportunity to develop your self-reflective and action planning skills. It enables you to develop a greater understanding of the context of your own practice and working environment and  to stimulate ideas for progressing to the foundation degree.

University modules:

1.Developing Graduate Skills and Project planning (20 Credits @ L4)
This preparatory module will introduces you to the study and planning skills you will need to support your learning throughout the course. You will be challenged to become an ‘active’ learner and an analytical thinker.  This will include undertaking an initial literature search and planning for your first project. You will be encouraged to take responsibility for your own learning including identifying sources of support.

2.Core project: Collaborative Working (20 Credits @ L4)
This project builds on the diploma modules ‘Using and Developing Systems that Promote Communication’ and ‘Working in Partnership’.  It takes the form of a case study that explores the embedding of collaborative working in an aspect of your practice. You will discuss the topic with reference to both theory and examples.

3.Core Project: Leadership and Professional Responsibilities (20 Credits @ L4)
This project builds on the diploma modules ‘Promoting Professional Development’ and ‘Leading and Managing Teams’. It takes the form of a case study where you will draw on professional guidelines by giving examples from your practice and reflect on your role as a care professional, role model and leader.

4.Management project: Responding and Planning for Change (30 credits @ 5)
This project builds on the diploma’s mandatory management pathway modules. It takes the form of a management project where you will plan the response to a new initiative or quality guideline. This will include a short presentation in your workplace and a written or oral communication to an external stakeholder.

5.Specialist project of your choice (30 credits at L5)
This project is designed to build on your diploma’s optional modules.  You will undertake a small work-based project which will include planning, implementation and evaluation, as well as investigating developments in an area of specialist practice.  It will include a portfolio of evidence drawn from your project, a ten minute presentation to colleagues and a university advisor, as well as the written report itself. 

Entry & applying

In order to be considered for this course, you will need to be:

• working in a social care setting in a leadership or senior practitioner role and have the support of your organisation to undertake the course,
• able to demonstrate the ability to study at level 4. Typically this will be a relevant level 3 qualification. Alternatively, practitioners with three to five years experience may also be considered.
• enrolled on the L5 diploma with a recognised training provider or have already completed the L5 diploma or equivalent care management qualification

Contact Details

Middlesex University School of Health and Social Science
Foundation Degree Professional Practice in Leadership and Management for Care Services
For further information or to obtain an application, please contact our admissions on email: wbsadmissions@mdx.ac.uk   or  phone: 02084116118.
 
To discuss the suitability of this course for your career progression, please contact the Course Leader, Ruth Miller on  Email: r.miller@mdx.ac.uk or Phone: 0284115377

OPPS Training and Development
QCF Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care information

For further information about the L5 diploma, please contact Barbara Seymour
Email: barbara@oppsdevelopments.com  or Phone:  01480 415930

Fees & funding

Fees for the L5 Diploma in Leadership are paid directly to your training provider. Fees for the University modules are payable on enrolment for each year of the course.

January 2012

UK/EU
60 credits per year £ 1740
As fees are due prior to the commencement of each module.

September 2012

Will be published during Spring 2012

Careers & placements

Undertaking the FDA will develop your confidence to lead and manage care services effectively in collaboration with external stakeholders. Successful completion will enhance your career and graduate progression opportunities.

On successful completion of the FDA you could progress onto higher study with Middlesex university:

• The Adv Diploma in Leading and Developing Public and Community Services (60 more credits)
•  or the BA ( hons) Professional Practice Leadership and Management for Care services (120 more credits).

Graduate progression routes could be:

• Post Graduate Certificate in Leading and Developing Public and Community services
• MA Professional Practice