PgCert Collaborative Working : Education and Therapy
This course offers an innovative interdisciplinary learning opportunity for education staff and allied health professionals .
Its flexible delivery pattern means that you can fit study around your career .
There is a need for improved collaboration around children with additional needs and disabilities . Different professional systems can result in different perspectives and philosophies — things get ‘ lost in translation ’. More effective collaboration can make a real difference to children . This course has been developed to respond to this need .
If you are an education or allied health professional who works with children and young people , this course may be of interest . It will equip you to support children or young people with additional support needs / special educational needs to access the curriculum and participate in school life through enhanced collaborative working .
On this course , you will :
• engage with contemporary inclusive learning issues , related legislative frameworks and policy , and relate these to your own practice context
• learn to critique evidence-based approaches and strategies to facilitate collaboration and inclusion for children with additional support needs
• have the opportunity to identify and advance practice in an area of innovative collaborative working within your workplace / service
In the context of this course , ‘ pupils ’ are defined as children or young people who are attending school ( this can be within early years , primary or secondary school , in mainstream or special school settings ). These pupils have additional support needs , which are currently , or could be in the future , supported by the direct or indirect assistance of education and therapy staff ( and / or others ) working collaboratively . Additional support needs or special educational needs could include challenges in the areas of :
• speech , language and communication
• learning difficulty ( eg dyslexia )
• emotional / social / mental health issues
• physical disability
• complex needs
Critical evaluation of collaborative practice issues in relation to inclusive learning are central to the course . You will also have the opportunity to identify and advance practice in collaborative working and inclusive learning in schools through development of a proposal for a work-based project .
This course supports continuing professional development of education and health professionals working with children and young people , through gaining postgraduate credit .
Structure
To obtain the PgCert , you will complete three 20-credit modules . You can also register as an associate student to complete a single module for CPD . On completion of a single module , you may wish to complete further modules and progress your studies to a named award .
Teaching , learning and assessment
Teaching comprises a combination of lectures , group exercises , projects and online discussion . A fully online ( distance ) option is also available . Methods of formative assessment include evaluation of critical incidents , case studies , work based projects , self-appraisal and / or reflective reports , and online discussions and postings . Summative assessments comprise written assignments submitted at the end of each module . Small class sizes ensure that individuals receive excellent support and benefit from sharing their experiences with likeminded professionals .
Teaching hours and attendance
Class contact at QMU or online learning options are available . If you choose to study with class contact , course content will be delivered through two Saturdays and one Wednesday evening per module with additional online activities . For online ( distance ) learners there is no class contact and modules are accessed using QMU ’ s virtual learning environment comprising self-directed study and online activities . Online ( distance ) learners and classroom learners will collaborate together using the same virtual learning environment .
Industry links
The course was developed by the CIRCLE Collaboration research team at QMU , the City of Edinburgh Council Children and Families Department and NHS Lothian . The General Teaching Council ( GTC ) Scotland has confirmed that this programme meets the ASN award requirement for registration in ASN as an additional registration area .
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