Full-time course now offered to meet local social care need at Orkney College UHI

It is widely known that Orkney, like the rest of the UK has an ageing population. What may be less well known is that whilst our older population is set to increase, the proportion of 16-24 and 25-49 year olds are projected to decline over the next decade. This in turn will place increased pressure on service provision and serves as a challenge to local employers in being able to access the skilled labour they require.

At present the health and social work sector accounts for 1700 jobs in Orkney and this number is expected to only increase.

Orkney College UHI is now in a position to offer the Higher National Certificate in Social Services fulltime, previously it had only offered as a part-time course.

The HNC Social Services can also be used as a springboard to further study and professional training and many have gained access to degree programmes in Social Work, Nursing Studies, Social Sciences, Occupational Therapy and Community Education.  Learners who complete the HNC in Social Services would also have the opportunity to enter into Year 2 of the UHI BA Health and Welfare and the BA Child and Youth Studies degrees which are also offered at Orkney College UHI.

Health, Social Care and Education Curriculum leader at Orkney College UHI Wilma Bichan commented;

“The HNC Social Services has been available in Orkney College, UHI, part time for over 10 years and has enabled many social care workers to achieve promoted employment in the social care sector.

In order to respond to local need, Orkney College is now able to offer this as a full time course.  This means that students wishing to pursue a career in social care can do so whilst accessing full SAAS (Student Awards Agency for Scotland) funding and complete in one academic year.

Whilst the part time route suited many social care workers already in post, it is clear that a number of students have had to leave Orkney to pursue the full time equivalent.

This course may suit school leavers who would like to complete or begin their careers in social care In Orkney.”

 

You can find more information on this course can be found: https://www.orkney.uhi.ac.uk/courses/hnc-social-services-previously-hnc-social-care/#tab-summary