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Introduction

ET06-Health Professionals Curriculum in Context Following a recent presentation (to a validating panel) of the curriculum "Health and Social Care Course for Learners with English as a Second or Alternative Language", this assignment will provide commentary to accompany the presentation and will address; The rationale behind the creation of the curriculum including influencing external factors, such as; social, economical, cultural and technological influences; examining STEEP and SWOT factors, how the curriculum will be integrated into proposed host organisations and how it will be marketed, the assignment will also demonstrate the supportive theory and literature used to underpin the curriculum issues and it will conclude with a reflective evaluation upon the practical effectiveness of the curriculum. The curriculum "Health and Social Care Course for Learners with English as a Second or Alternative Language" consists of a three-tier course that address' health and social care education, literacy and numeracy (skills for life) and the education of emigrant workers (See appendix One). The course is progressive in levels and commences with a beginner course followed by a common induction course and finishes with an advanced course. Each course lasts ten weeks in length and progresses in levels of difficulty. Kelly (1999) defines curriculum as "all the learning which is planned and guided by the school.." This definition is focused on compulsory education so does not really have bearing on the curriculum presented here for the further education sector, however, I like the definition because it states that curriculum is about learning and not just a syllabus which many people still relate the curriculum to. ...read more.

Middle

Threats * Acute trusts and private trusts may have own in-house training. * New legislation limiting entry to nurse education. If desired, one can also use the work of Lewin (2007) who created a force field analysis of pros and cons to aid decision-making in management. The STEEP and SWOT factors examined show clearly the reasoning to go ahead with the curriculum therefore Lewin can be examined in appendix Two. Having considered the influencing factors upon the proposed curriculum, a marketing strategy must be developed and adopted. Areas for this have already been illuminated in the SWOT analysis. The strong influencing factor that presents, is the possibility of the course being funded. The local Learning and Skills Council (LSC) (2006) published their annual plan in May. Within this plan, national and regional priorities are stipulated. These priorities are where the LSC intend to inject cash funding. Continually mentioned throughout the report are the priorities for skills for life provision and health and social care qualifications. Migrant workers are mentioned in the report as a stand-alone priority, as a target to cover a/ improvement in achievement of skills for life (literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology) and b/ employability and educating the worker to meet public demands. Therefore, all areas of the proposed curriculum meet the local LSC planned agenda, therefore presenting a strong possibility of the course being funded by them. A fully funded course would appeal as a marketing attraction in it's own right, and this would be a valuable selling point to employers. ...read more.

Conclusion

Externally, review questionnaires will be sent to those employers who recruit successful learners, this will illustrate changes in behaviour and identify the benefits or shortfalls from the course from the point of view of the public interest and the industry. Although the course could be sent to an awarding body for accreditation, this is costly and quality assurance comes free by means of external inspection. The commission for social care inspection evaluate and monitor training and compare the effectiveness of training to standards, therefore, within my own organisation quality assurance would take place effectively. Following the presentation of this curriculum to a validating panel, I feel running the curriculum would be very effective. I have considered external influencing factors and I have completed a SWOT analysis to identify any pitfalls. I have designed the curriculum to a model and ideology and I have ensured that quality assurance, marketing and funding do not contain any influencing factors to withdraw the curriculum, it has been proved that funding is actually a unique selling point of the curriculum. The validation panel saw no weaknesses in the proposals. Therefore, the curriculum will be launched. This assignment has explored the rationale behind the creation of the curriculum including influencing external factors, such as; social, economical, cultural and technological influences; it has examined STEEP and SWOT factors. An explanation of how the curriculum will be integrated into proposed host organisations has been given along with an illustration of how it will be marketed. The assignment has demonstrated the supportive theory and literature used to underpin the curriculum issues and has concluded with an evaluation upon the practical effectiveness of the curriculum. Michelle Swithenbank Cert Ed Year Two ...read more.

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