BA/BSc (Honours) Health and Social Care: Mental health pathway

Stage 1

Stage 1 introduces you to the study of health and social care and the social sciences – giving you fascinating insight into the organisation of social care in the UK and different disciplinary perspectives on contemporary British society.

In An introduction to health and social care (K101)An introduction to health and social care::We all depend on care services at some time in our lives – at home; in hospitals, clinics or GP surgeries; in community and residential settings. As a key introductory Level 1 course, K101 provides an authoritative overview of health and social care underpinned by health and social policy, practice expertise and social science. The learning experience is greatly enhanced by real-life case studies taking you deep into the experience of receiving care and working in care services. This course will help you to build knowledge and understanding of care work and care services, develop skills, and prepare you for further study.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-3,module,K101,,1 (60 credits), you’ll examine the experience of giving and receiving care in hospitals, clinics or GP surgeries; within the family and community; and in residential settings. Introducing the social sciences (DD101)Introducing the social sciences::This key introductory Level 1 course is an ideal introduction to the social sciences – psychology, social policy and criminology, geography and environment, politics and international studies, economics and sociology – through study of contemporary UK society. Using a blend of text, audio, DVD and online materials, you’ll explore a wide range of topics, including questions of society’s relationship to the environment, questions of identity and issues of social order and governance – all considered in their national and international contexts – that will equip you with a range of skills for independent study and for your personal and working life.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-3,module,DD101,,1 (60 credits) explores the fundamentals of psychology, social policy and criminology; geography and environment; politics and international studies; and economics and sociology.

These modules can be studied in any order and together they provide an excellent start to your journey towards a qualification in health and social care. As you progress through your studies, you’ll return to their insights time and time again.

Stage 2

Stage 2 begins with Health and illness (K213)Health and illness::This course has a broad appeal to anyone with an interest in health and illness, whether it is for personal or professional reasons, and the variety of case studies that are used will encourage you to think about health beyond any traditional boundaries. You’ll examine health policy and practice relating to different models of health and illness care, including those associated with long-term conditions. You’ll also gain an insight into contemporary and emerging debates about this subject. Throughout the course you will be provided with opportunities to develop your critical thinking skills and to acquire the analytical and conceptual skills needed to link theory and practice.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-3,module,K213,,1 (60 credits), introducing you to a range of public health concerns. You’ll learn about issues connected with childbirth; the influence of stress, housing and employment on health; the role of complementary medicine; the debate about the relative importance of individual lifestyles and wider public health concerns; and the implications of changes in the NHS.

Next, you’ll focus on health and social care in relation to mental health, exploring mental distress and what can be done about it. In Diverse perspectives on mental health (K225)Diverse perspectives on mental health::What causes mental distress and what can be done about it? What aspects of the external environment affect mental health? This course examines how social, environmental, economic and political factors shape and constrain our understandings and experiences of mental health and distress. It explores the wide range of diverse and frequently competing perspectives that characterise the world of mental health and looks at the impact of these perspectives on mental health practice and service provision. The course will appeal to anyone – lay or professional – who seeks greater understanding of this fascinating and complex area of service provision.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-3,module,K225,,1 (30 credits) you’ll also examine how social, environmental, economic and political factors shape and constrain our understandings and experiences of mental health and distress.

You’ll also investigate intellectually challenging ideas about mental health, and how competing perspectives impact upon mental health practice and service provision. In Challenging ideas in mental health (K272)Challenging ideas in mental health::Ideas about the concept of mental health are hotly contested, and often personally and intellectually challenging. This course invites you to think differently about life’s dilemmas by considering the views of all concerned, especially people experiencing mental distress. Using a holistic framework, it explores ideas and practice in mental health – encouraging you to review your own beliefs and experiences and to challenge yourself and others on a more informed footing. The course will appeal to a wide range of people – workers in health and social care, service users/survivors, friends and families, and anyone with a general interest in this complex and challenging topic.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-3,module,K272,,1 (30 credits) you’ll be invited to think differently about life’s dilemmas by considering the views of all concerned – especially people experiencing mental distress – and to investigate ideas and practice in mental health. As you study, you’ll be encouraged to review your own beliefs and experiences and to challenge yourself and others on a more informed footing.

Stage 3

By the time you reach Stage 3, you’ll have mastered a range of study skills and have a substantial knowledge of health and social care.

For the first part of your studies at this stage  – Promoting public health: skills, perspectives and practice (K311)Promoting public health: skills, perspectives and practice::Public health is everyone’s business – not just the business of the health sector. The contribution of local authorities, education, social care, families, police, prisons, business and voluntary sectors is now acknowledged as vital. This course enables you, whatever your background and expertise, to develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of multidisciplinary public health across the UK and internationally. You'll investigate health projects, experience team working and build your skills in communication, critical reflection community involvement, policy making, and delivering ethical evidence-based practice. The course is mapped against UK Public Health Register and Nursing and Midwifery Council standards.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-3,module,K311,,1 (60 credits) – you’ll deepen your knowledge and critical analysis of the promotion of public health, and learn about the vital contribution of local authorities, education, social care, families, police, prisons, business and voluntary sectors. You'll also investigate health projects, experience team working and build your skills in communication, community action, policy making, and delivering ethical evidence-based practice.

You’ll then focus on frontline leadership and management roles, building the knowledge, skills and analytical tools needed to become an effective manager, able to use evidence-based strategies for good outcomes for service users. In Leadership and management in health and social care (K313)Leadership and management in health and social care::The delivery of successful health and social care services relies on effective management and strong leadership. This course is designed for existing and aspiring managers or anyone who would like to learn more about management and leadership in health and social care. It will help you develop the necessary knowledge and analytical skills, as well as providing an overview of the organisational, legal and policy contexts within which managers operate, focusing on the challenges and opportunities faced in this sector. Throughout the course you apply learning to real-life examples, developing evidence-based strategies for good outcomes for service users.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q18-3,module,K313,,1 (60 credits), you’ll also gain an overview of the organisational, legal and policy contexts within which managers are operating, and examine the impact of working with partners in order to integrate health and social care provision.

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards an Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible, and before you register for your chosen qualification. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.

Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.