Two Year Diploma in Pastoral Care, Guidance and Pupil Support
 
Qualifications for entry:  Applicants are normally expected to come from an educational background, either secondary, primary or FE and will normally require to be honours graduates or be able to provide evidence that they can work at postgraduate level.  It is expected that participants will have had some practical experience to offer and have the opportunity to be involved in aspects of personal support in their workplace setting or other appropriate agency. A reasonable ability in ICT will be necessary to cope with blended or e-learning delivery.
 
Duration: 24 months by part-time study will be the expected norm although candidates will be allowed a maximum of 60 months to complete their programme.
 
Aims:  The general aims of the programme are associated with different components of advanced professional practice and postgraduate study.  
 
These are identified as:
 
  1. 1.critical evaluation and application of advanced professional knowledge and understanding;
  2. 2.commitment to critical self-evaluation and development;
  3. 3.enhanced and highly effective professional performance;
  4. 4.personal and professional commitment to an extended professional role and wider professional vision;
  5. 5.advocacy of change and professional action aimed at the development and improvement of practice;
  6. 6.development of professional values and knowledge through reflective and evidence-based practice;
  7. 7.working with others to bring about change and improvement to practice;
  8. 8.bridging theory and practice and critically applying and challenging research findings.
 
 
It is expected that the majority of students will complete their programme with a PGDip in Pastoral Care, Guidance and Pupil Support (at 120 Credit). It will be possible however for a minority of students to exit with a PGCert (at 60 Credit) as long as they have taken one guidance and one counselling based module from the choices below.