Professional Practice and Ethics

Course details

This QQI accredited Professional Practice and Ethics course focuses on the role and responsibilities of the social care worker. It examines the personal and professional skills and capabilities, and the understanding of ethics required to effectively fulfill this complex role. Social care is going through many significant changes, including the regulation of Social Care as a profession through CORU. The module explores these developments and what they will mean for the worker in social care services today. In addition, the module explores the essential area of ethics. Key ethical areas such as human rights, wellbeing, acceptance of difference and social justice are discussed in the context of the social care profession. As well as helping you develop your current skills and competencies the course will also allow you to identify areas that you will need to develop in order to meet the challenges that come with working in a social care role.

Who Is This Course For?

The course is designed for disability service professionals looking to extend their knowledge and skills through an accredited programme developed by and for people working in disability services. It is particularly suitable for people engaged in continuing professional development. You will receive 10 credits towards a QQI Level 7 B.A. in Applied Social Studies (Disability) award upon successful completion that can be used to gain further qualifications.

Learning Objectives

After successfully completing the course you should be able to:

• Outline the value of a professional code of conduct
• Explain the development of social care as a profession and the role of CORU as a regulator
• Explain how behaving in accordance with particular values and principles is beneficial to service users
• provide examples of how ethical decisions form part of making best practice decisions

Discuss the following ethical theories and concepts:

• Wellbeing
• Respect and Care
• Human Rights
• Empathy
• Social Contract Ethics
• Social Justice
• Define the concepts of ‘professional’, ‘professionalism’, ‘non-professional’ and ‘unprofessional’

• Describe a range of formal and informal approaches to professional development

Contents

Unit 1: Professions and Professionalism

Unit 2: Assessing and Planning for Professional Development Students also use Manus Charleton’s book ‘Ethics for Social Care in Ireland – Philosophy and Practice’ as the key text for this module.

Assessment

To complete the course you will need to write a 3,000-word paper that explores the relationship between the course materials and your current role. Very much a practical assignment, it will provide you with the opportunity to evaluate and expand your working practices in an environment where you have access to expert advice and the support of professional contemporaries. Having this learning community provides an opportunity to extend your abilities in a uniquely supportive environment.