UCOL's new Bachelor of Social Services will provide you with specialist knowledge and skills to gain employment in a variety of areas such as community/social services worker, disability support advocate, mental health advocate, navigator or case manager.

 

Working with people is a core component of this programme and will give you an understanding of how social and community dynamics can impact on individuals, families and groups of people. The programme will provide you with learning opportunities that include face to face, simulation/role play, group work and work experience. At the end of the programme you will have the confidence to work in the community to create change. 

 

This programme consist of 360 credits. The courses includes: 

 

YEAR 1

Personal and Academic Effectiveness (15 Credits)
Gain academic, reflective and self-management skills needed for working as an effective professional in social services.

Cultural Competence I (15 Credits)
Develop an understanding of the diverse states of wellbeing and normality by exploring concepts of identity, culture, values and beliefs.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Ethics and Law (30 Credits)
Gain awareness of social justice through the lens of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and international, customary, and New Zealand legal frameworks.

Applied Communication 1 (15 Credits, 25 hours work experiences)
Develop the skills to communicate in an effective, safe and professional way within collaborative relationships in the context of social services in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Human Development (15 Credits)
Develop theoretical knowledge of social psychology and human development, in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Primary & Community Care Workforce (15 Credits)
Develop an awareness and understanding of the external factors and strategies that influence the development of an integrated workforce, focussed on achieving sector goals and outcomes.

Diversity and Social Inclusion (15 Credits)
Develop knowledge of social construction of self and the concepts of social justice and social change and how this impacts on relating to others.

 

YEAR 2

Applied Communication II (15 Credits)
Integrate group work theory and practice and demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to facilitate groups based on the presenting needs of the group.

Safe and Ethical Practitioner (15 Credits)
Develop the knowledge and skills to become practitioners who are able to make safe and sound ethical decisions for those at risk.

Research for Social Services (15 Credits)
Develop an informed understanding of research paradigms and methodologies, and the current uses and practices of research within their chosen specialty area of social services.

Addictions, Substance Use and Co-existing Problems (15 Credits)
Develop an understanding of substance use, addictions and co-existing problems and culturally appropriate responses for helping people address these problems.

Cultural Competence II (15 Credits, 24 hours work experience)
Further develop knowledge and skills necessary for working with M?ori in social services, disability support and mental health and addiction contexts.

Theory for Practice I (choice of Social Services, Mental Health, Addiction or Disability Support) (15 Credits)
Develop and articulate a theoretical value base for their practice and select and apply models, tools and skills suitable for social services, disability support, addiction practice and/or mental health recovery in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Integrated Practice I (choice of Social Services, Mental Health, Addiction or Disability Support) (30 Credits, 150 hours work experience)

Integrate theoretical and practical learning to become reflective practitioners who are able to work in a way which is values based, safe, informed and intentional in social services, disability support, addiction practice and/or mental health contexts.

 

YEAR 3

Communicating with Families/Wh?nau and Communities (15 Credits)
Develop an understanding of the theoretical approaches and their associated models and practical skills for working with families/wh?nau and communities, especially in the Aotearoa New Zealand context. The influence of family/wh?nau and community in relation to client work in the practice domains of social service, mental health, addiction and disability support will be explored through reflective and experiential learning.

Applied Social Issues and Social Policy (15 Credits)
Critically examine how issues are addressed through social policy and social service provision in the Aotearoa New Zealand context.

Socially Responsible Leadership (15 Credits, 50 hours work experience)
Develop and consolidate knowledge, skills and strategies that will enable team, community development and leadership in social service contexts.

Practitioner Inquiry (choice of Social Services, Mental Health, Addiction or Disability Support) (15 Credits)
This course provides an opportunity for students to undertake a systematic review of and report on a relevant body of research material relevant to social services, disability support, addiction practice and/or mental health work.

Theory for Practice II (choice of Social Services, Mental Health, Addiction or Disability Support) (30 Credits)
Develop and consolidate a robust, congruent and integrated theoretical framework drawing on a range of theory, models and tools which are appropriate for practice across the social service, disability support, addiction practice and/or mental health contexts of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Integrated Practice II (choice of Social Services, Mental Health, Addiction or Disability Support) (30 Credits, 200 work experience hours)
Preparing you to become work ready, apply a robust and integrated practice framework, a critical understanding of contemporary issues and a proactive attitude within social services disability support, addiction practice and/or mental health contexts.