Where will this course lead?

The course is designed to give students a 'rounded' understanding of working in the area of special needs, inclusion and disability policy, sociology and politics. You will gain an in-depth understanding of both theory and its application in a variety of settings working with children, young people and families. This course will enhance your understanding of the complexity of causes, diagnosis, and strategies to implement when working with children and young people who are identified as having Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This course will enable students to progress onto Top Up Degree in Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusive Practice, Top Up Degree in Early Childhood Studies or a Top Up Degree in working with children and Families. This Foundation Degree also supports promotion within the SEND sector.

What will I study?

Over a two-year period a substantial amount of your learning will take place in your workplace through the planned and supported tasks and projects we will set you.

The mandatory modules which you will cover on the FdA Special Educational Needs Disability and inclusive Practice are:

How will this course be delivered?

This Foundation Degree is delivered as a full-time programme, over two academic years. You will need to be at college 1 day per week from 09:00-18.00. In addition to being in college one day per a week, there may be times when you are expected to engage in blended learning. Whilst on the course you will also be required to access online learning materials and complete tasks outside of the classroom.

Furthermore, there is a requirement for you to undertake a placement of 10 hours per week to support you to develop your understanding of SEND in practice and apply your theory to practice. Your placement can either be your paid employment or a voluntary placement.

What qualifications will I get?

Foundation Degree in Special Educational Needs, Disability and Inclusive Practice (Birmingham Newman University). To successfully complete the course, you need to pass all modules and get 240 credits.

How will I be assessed?

The course is delivered through lectures, seminars, presentations, tutorials and group work. There are no exams; all assessment is via assignments which will include essays, presentations, practical activities and reflective diary.

Throughout your time on the course Teaching and Learning strategies will encourage students to:

· Engage in new areas of knowledge;

· Broaden and deepen their existing knowledge, understanding and skills;

· Engage in critical analysis of texts, theories and practices and to test students' analysis against received understandings and practices;

· Question concepts, theories, policies and practice encountered during their studies; Interrogate the assumptions underpinning theory and research in order to come to an understanding of the significance and limitations of theory and research;

· Engage in critical reflection of their own and others' value systems, development and practices

How do I get a place on the course?

To gain a place on this course, applicants must meet the entry criteria and attend a formal interview. All are to be submitted via UCAS using the following codes:

INSTITUTION CODE: S26 (Solihull College & University Centre)

UCAS CODE: X360

CAMPUS: Blossomfield

If you have a learning difficulty or disability, please let us know when you apply. You will be offered support in your interview. If you need help completing your application we can help with this too. https://www.solihull.ac.uk/uni-level-learner/student-services

What are the entry requirements?

· GCSE/National 4/National

· 5 GCSE A* - C or 9/4 or above in English and Mathematics or equivalent will be required.

· UCAS Tariff points 96 UCAS Tariff Points in relevant subjects such as Early Years, Special Educational Needs, Health and Social Care, this normally is a PMM profile for BTECs, or a C profile for NCFE CACHE.

· If you hold a T-Level qualification to be accepted on the course you must have achieved at least a C grade.

Other qualifications and combinations of qualifications will be considered and maybe also acceptable - please contact HE.Admissions@solihull.ac.uk

Applicants who do not meet the standard entry criteria but have appropriate industry and life experiences may have their prior learning and skills considered.

English language requirements

Students who are non-native English speakers or who have not studied the final two years of school in English but can demonstrate capability in English at a standard commensurate to IELTS 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 being awarded on individual sections for a level 4, 5 or 6 qualifications may be considered as eligible to apply for the programme

What else do I need to know?

You should be working with children and young people aged 0 to 25 years with SEND condition for 10 hours per week for the duration of the course.

All staff involved in the delivery of higher education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver. The approval process ensures that staff delivering given programme are appropriately qualified, and where appropriate, possess relevant vocational experience and professional practice.

This course is a full-time program and you will be expected to attend 1 day per week between the hours of 09:00-18:00, timetables will be issued to successful applicants at induction and enrolment in September of the current Academic year.

If you are applying for financial help from Student Finance England, then you should do this as soon as possible to ensure your funding is in place for the start of your course. https://www.gov.uk/student-finance/overview

Is there anything else I will have to pay for in order to do this course?

You may need to cover travel costs to work placements. There may be additional costs for relevant field trips and equipment such as textbooks, as well as costs for printing resources and photocopying as necessary

Additional costs

Costs depend on the direction and ambition of your work. We suggest budgeting approximately £250 for materials and work-books in the first year.

If you are not working and do not hold a DBS on the update service, you will be required to pay for a DBS in order to complete this course. Info about finance bursaries etc. - https://www.solihull.ac.uk/uni-level-learner/student-services/ Please read our full terms and conditions https://www.solihull.ac.uk/uni-level-learner/policies-and-applicant-information/

For a more detailed information please refer to the course specifications.

Please note that when you enrol you are accepting that the course content and module descriptions are accurate at the time of publishing and that the course content as described is based on what is possible to deliver under the government advice and social distancing rules at that particular time. In the event of changes made to those rules, by national or local government, the College may need to make further alterations to the published course content. By enrolling with the College, you will be confirming that you are content to proceed with the course as detailed at that time and on the basis that the programme may be subject to reasonable change.