UNISON Ulearn Northern Ireland

The deadline for receiving applications for the Open University K100 course has been extended until Monday June 26th. The course can support members to progress towards nursing, social work or management in health and social care. Application packs can be downloaded online.

The K100 Understanding Health & Social Care course offers a broad foundation in health and social care and is a stand alone qualification offering a Certificate in Understanding Health & Social Care, worth 60 university credits. It provides underpinning knowledge for NVQ Level 3&4 in Care, and is mapped to the Knowledge & Skills Framework. It is also a compulsory module in a number of OU diploma and degree programmes including Nursing, Social Work (not currently recognised in NI), B.A. in Health & Social Care, B.A. in Childhood & Youth Studies and B.A. in Social Policy.

UNISON in partnership with South & East Belfast Trust has already supported 16 staff members to go through the course including home care staff, health care assistants/nursing auxiliaries, day care workers and admin/clerical staff. As this is an academic course, it is not limited to direct care providers and in other Trusts has attracted staff from security/portering, transport and catering. The Trust will give successful applicants release to attend the Study Skills programme, K100 tutorials and the Exam preparation and revision day, however participants are expected to put in considerable study in their own time.

Download an application pack

Find out more about the course, including thresholds to qualify for a grant through UNISON at
K100 Course