BSc (Hons) Health and Social Care Management (Top-up Degree)

The course aims to:

• Develop knowledge and understanding of the role of leadership, contemporary issues in health and social care, managing change and managing risk.
• Provide knowledge, concepts and principles of conducting research in a Health and Social Care context.
• Develop an understanding of the role of management with an ability to apply this understanding to work-based problems.
• Prepare students with the skills and competencies for a successful career in management.

The required qualification for entry to the top up programme is normally an HND qualification with a merit profile. In circumstances where students have achieved less than an average of a merit profile, a recommendation for acceptance to the top-up could be made (as long as the full HND qualification has been awarded), but this would need to be supported by a clear rationale (e.g. extenuating circumstances that have impacted on performance, or an assurance from the admission team that the applicant has the skills and ability to operate effectively at Level 6.

You also require a current DBS Check/Certificate – should not have a criminal background which might prevent them from working as a teacher with young people or vulnerable adults. (If you do not have a DBS and wish to apply for one, please click here for more information on how to apply).

The entire programme is taught in English and applicants have to demonstrate their ability to speak and write in English proficiently.

TERM 1

• Leadership in Health and Social Care (20 cr.)
• Contemporary Issues in Health and Social Care (20 cr.)

TERM 2

• Managing Change (20 cr.)
• Managing Risk (20 cr.)

TERM 3

• Research Project (40 cr.)

Leadership in Health and Social Care

Views about the appropriate role of leadership reflect the economic, social and political context in which leaders operate. The module examines various theories of leadership with their application to modern day business situations. For example, the link between a successful change initiative and the role of leaders in building trust through the exercise of ‘responsible’ leadership. The module concludes with an analysis of effective leadership and personality traits, ‘followship’ leadership and transformational leadership.

Contemporary Issues in Health and Social Care

The module examines a range of contemporary issues in health and social care and the implications for healthcare policy and practice. By exploring a range of perspectives, including the influence of social and cultural factors, power and professionalism and multidisciplinary contexts, students will be able to undertake a critical evaluation in the context of a social justice framework. With a strong theoretical underpinning, the analysis can form the basis for applied problem-solving in situations typically confronted by healthcare managers

Managing Change

The aim of the module is to inform students about the nature, process and management of organisational change. Highlighting various models and approaches, the module uses case analysis to examine the interpersonal, group and organisational issues associated with change management in a range of healthcare situations. Through analysing the usefulness and drawbacks of the different models it will enable students to identify the most suitable approach in a specific situation and the development of an implementation strategy.

Managing Risk

The module examines the nature of risk and the processes for identifying and managing risk in a healthcare environment. The characteristics of human error are explored as background to an appraisal of various risk assessment models. Once various risk factors have been identified, and an assessment completed, systems for managing risk can then be evaluated. The module concludes with an analysis of the relationship between risk and safety which leads to an examination of how a ‘just’ culture for balancing safety and accountability can be developed.

Research Project (Double Module)

The research project provides an opportunity to integrate and apply knowledge and understanding from the three years of the degree programme to a typical workplace situation, and to develop research skills and review management literature in a specialised area. The project is an original, detailed analysis of a topic selected in consultation with, and supervised by, a member of LSME’s academic staff. The project includes a critical literature review and primary and/or secondary empirical work to address a specific research question.

The course lasts one academic year of full-time study.

The top up programme is delivered through a full-time of formal lectures, workshops and seminars.

Various methods are used to assess each module including essays, reflective assignments, written reports, oral reports, case studies and projects. There are no time constrained examinations.

Students who are awarded a minimum of a 2(2) classification can progress to a range of university Masters programmes in a relevant subject area or progress to employment in the Health and Social Care sector in a supervisory or managerial role.