Provision Solutions

What, can, how...?

As the BTEC Professional Diploma in Rehabilitation Studies (Visual Impairment) is an innovative new course we understand that you might want some simple questions answered before you decide to talk to us.

We have created this FAQ's page to address this and have given answers to common questions and perhaps some you hadn't thought of. If you can't find the answer here, either send your question to us or contact us - we're always happy to hear from you.

 

Employer Questions

	Which members of my staff would benefit from the course? The simple answer here is:- Anyone in your organisation who works or has contact with people with a visual impairment. Typically this would be members of your Sensory Services Teams or professionals such as Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Care Managers looking to alter the path of their career. It is also beneficial for staff or potential staff, willing to enter the field of visual impairment and for managers working with professionals in this field.
	How does this course benefit our service users? The course will enable your staff to correctly assess the needs of people with a visual impairment thereby reducing auxiliary services and the person's dependency to repeatedly access your services. Unlike other courses, there is a focus on Adult Teaching & Learning and not simply 'processes', making any rehabilitative intervention more efficient, more effective and more 'educational'.
	Why should we put staff on the course? Always an interesting question. Briefly, it is accepted that an educated workforce is known to be more committed. Your service will improve its credibility, efficiency and effectiveness and benefit service users - the end result being that you save money!
	We want our staff to do a wide range of work? This is understandable, a 'one size fits all' course would be ideal for some employers. However, visual impairment is a specialist subject and we would surely all agree that people accessing our services should be assessed by a specialist. To include all aspects of sight loss and social care in one course would probably require students to study full-time for most of their working life. This said, further study on the course allows for a wide range of 'associated disciplines' - hearing loss, social work, multi-disability etc. - to be included, creating the more 'rounded' member of staff you seek.
	Apart from the fees, what other costs would we incur? The course can be delivered very locally - providing there are sufficient students. The only additional costs would be travel to the one day lectures and practical observations and possibly lunch. This makes the overall cost of the course extremely attractive to employers - no overnight accommodation, no additional evening meal allowances and no extensive periods away from the workplace - expenses payments are significantly reduced. In addition, charities can enjoy our 'Easy Payment Options'.
	Could you run the course 'in house'? Absolutely! If you have a group of potential students whom you wish to train then we would consider running the course at your premises. This would need to be negotiated separately and we welcome your enquiry.
	Could you change the start date of a course? We cannot change the start date of any 'scheduled' courses as this would mean affecting many individuals and organisations. However, with regard to the previous question, if we are running a course for your staff only then we can start this course whenever you wish. This would need to be negotiated separately and we welcome your enquiry.
	Can you offer the modules separately? Yes! The innovative design of the course allows any of the modules to be undertaken individually however, students cannot receive the diploma without all modules - for more information click here
	Is this an 'accredited' course? Yes! The course is academically accredited by Edexcel, an organisation delivering qualifications to more than 2,000,000 learners around the world. Edexcel work closely with schools, colleges, universities, employers and training providers and link to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).
	Can you offer an NVQ? Many courses offered in the field of social care are NVQ's however, the BTEC qualification is more aspirational and in our opinion allows far more flexibility for the learner. The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) shows a direct link between NVQ, BTEC and the traditional qualifications - if you wish to compare click here to view.
	Is the content the same as other courses? Obviously there is a need for all courses to include much of the same content as this is a large part of the job role. However, there is an emphasis and focus on the core disciplines in the BTEC course not found elsewhere. In addition, it is the only course that identifies the importance of recognising how adults learn, content that creates a more efficient and effective practitioner.

Student Questions

	I have no experience, can I still come on your course? Yes - absolutely! The course is designed to give you everything you need. We assume no prior knowledge and you will not feel out of place.
	How much time is away from the workplace? The course is ' work based learning' and requires no time away from the workplace other than the introductory lecture (1 day), the compulsory lectures (6 days) and the practice observation (approximately 1 hour).
	Do I need to be interviewed? Because we seek students who are currently employed, there is no need for an additional interview to be accepted on the course. We are happy to accept the employers recommendation that you are suitable - after all, they've employed you!
	What support will I get? Students receive a wide range of support - their peers, their employer, their lecturer and course staff. Further details and access to support is given in the course handbook.
	I haven't studied for many years, is that a problem? Absolutely not. We are acutely aware of the specific needs of students who have not studied for many years or indeed at a higher level.
	Can I get an NUS card? We are currently negotiating with the NUS but do not anticipate a problem.
	Do you have different payment options? Yes! Once your application is received we will invoice your employer - payments can be made by cheque or through our BACS payments system. If you work for a charity we provide 'Easy Payment Options'.
	What qualification will I receive? The qualification you receive will be a BTEC Professional Diploma in Rehabilitation Studies (Visual Impairment) - Level 4
	What does the qualification enable me to do? As educators we have no control over this however, the qualification will allow you to work in a Sensory Services Team, Charity or Voluntary Agency. Typically this will be as a 'Rehabilitation Assistant', a 'Rehabilitation Worker Assistant' or 'Vision Support Worker' - many working titles are out there. Whatever your job title, you will be considered a 'Professional Rehabilitation Specialist'.
	Will this course qualify me to be a Rehabilitation Worker? No! The qualification will not allow you to call yourself a Rehabilitation Worker (RW) however, if you continue your studies (and we hope you do) for a second year, you will be qualified to work as an RW.
	What about the future? As previously mentioned, a second year at level 5 is currently being developed to enable students to qualify to work as RW's. A third year at level 6 plans to take the profession to degree level and offer students a chance to broaden their view of visual impairment, social care, multi-disability and even management.