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UNISON College - Member Learning Programme 2026

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This interactive flipbook is created with FlippingBook, a service for streaming PDFs online. No download, no waiting. Open and start reading right away!

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Information for Health and Social care staff for Feb 2026 intake 

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Information for Health and Social care staff for Feb 2026 intake 

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Guidance for managers Feb 26  K102 intake for managers email  - Copy

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The Application Process for a Fully Funded place on K102 is now open to UNISON members

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Applications for 2021 grants are now open. We still have a range of accredited training available to members via the Skills Academy offer and the discounts that our partner organisations offer UNISON members are still available.
UNISON wants to help members realise their potential. We offer financial support to members taking part in various educational and learning opportunities, as well as learning discounts from a number of providers. We also offer grants to members studying on trade union and labour movement or women's studies courses.

The number of grants is limited and they are awarded on a first come, first served, basis. See the relevant application form for further details.

I have received my undergraduate degree. I scored a 2:1, meaning that I have wonderful opportunities for future full time employment; future self-employment, and future post graduate education.

I should like to convey my deep felt thanks to you all at UNISON for helping me financially with the Open University grants I received towards modules. I have always delighted in being an active member of UNISON, and will continue do so with enthusiasm.

- James, West Midlands

Being a UNISON member can also save you money on a range of educational opportunities, both online and offline.

Open University grants

Open University grants are available to UNISON members undertaking 30 and 60 point Open University courses up to and including undergraduate level at their own expense. Grants are made as follows:

60 point courses: up to £500

30 point courses: up to £250

Please note that to be eligible for the grant for this year your 30 or 60 point course with the OU must start in 2021 Click to download the application form for 2021
Trade Union and Labour Movement or Women's Studies grants

Members studying these subjects can apply for the following:

Certificate or Diploma grants of up to £500 towards fees for members on Trade Union and Labour Movement or Women's Studies courses

Bachelor or Masters Degree study: substantial grants for union reps studying Trade Union and Labour Movement or Women's Studies degrees

Please note that to be eligible for the grant for this year your course must start in 2021 Click to download the application form for 2021
Learning grants

These grants of up to £300 are intended to help members studying at levels up to and including undergraduate at their own expense on the following types of courses:

Trade Union and Labour Studies (where an applicant has not received a bursary)

non-vocational education up to and including undergraduate level (e.g. GCSE maths or English)

vocational education relevant to public service work up to and including undergraduate level

Please note that to be eligible for the grant for this year your course must start in 2021 Click to download the application form for 2021
Learning discounts for UNISON members

Members can get fee discounts for distance learning from:

National Extension College - 10% discount on all NEC courses, including GCSEs, A-levels, and vocational courses; let them know you're a union member when you enrol

CILEx Law School - 5% discount on law courses (excluding legal practice course or postgraduate Diploma in Law

The Open College of the Arts - £100 off OCA tutored arts and craft courses for UNISON members enrolling on their first course unit with the OCA

Birkbeck, University of London - 10% discount for union members

E-Careers - 10% discount for UNISON members on a range of professional skills development courses; quote 'UNISON10'

University of London - 10% discount for union members on four of its distance learning courses

Do you work in a school?

The Education Support Partnership, a charity for the education workshop, offers a Training and Development fund in partnership with the CSIS Charity Fund, specifically to assist:

Photograph © Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk

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Applications for 2021 grants are now open. We still have a range of accredited training available to members via the Skills Academy offer and the discounts that our partner organisations offer UNISON members are still available. UNISON wants to help members realise their potential.

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Understanding the significance of blood results

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Understanding the significance of blood results

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Welcome! You are invited to register for a recording.

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Welcome! You are invited to register for a recording.

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Welcome! You are invited to register for a recording.

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Welcome! You are invited to register for a recording.

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Welcome! You are invited to register for a recording.

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Welcome! You are invited to register for a recording.

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Understanding the Pathobiology and Care Management of Diabetes Mellitus

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Understanding the Pathobiology and Care Management of Diabetes Mellitus

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Welcome! You are invited to register for a recording.

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Welcome! You are invited to register for a recording.

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Welcome! You are invited to register for a recording.

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Welcome! You are invited to register for a recording.

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Welcome! You are invited to register for a recording.

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Welcome! You are invited to register for a recording.

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UNISON learning reps (ULRs) are volunteers who are willing to encourage and support other colleagues with learning in the workplace.
Unionlearn's ULR page
ULRs are appointed by the branch. If you're interested in becoming one, speak to your branch secretary or the organiser who works with your branch.

ULRs are entitled to paid time off to carry out their role. This includes time for their own training.

UNISON provides introductory training for learning reps and there is potential follow-on training that you can undertake depending on your interests.

You can get started by completing our e-note for potential ULRs. You'll find this on the e-learning site (log in with your My.UNISON account and look for Getting more involved in UNISON: activist roles).
Powerpoint presentation: Become a ULR - what's not to like?
Supporting members through learning

As a ULR, you will he lp your colleagues identify the skills they need to move on, and help them sort out things like time off to train, loans, grants and funding, or any additional support they might need. The information on this website about UNISON member learning will help you point them to some of the opportunities that are open to them.
Supporting members learning for their career Supporting members learning for personal fulfilment Supporting members exploring formal study Supporting members looking for a new job Helping members improve their English, maths or IT skills
We have a wealth of additional resources to help you in your role.
A-Z of learning resources Branch Guide to Lifelong Learning
The role of a union learning rep allows you to learn and develop in your own right. Many learning reps are drawn to particular areas or needs and may develop specialist knowledge in, for example, dyslexia, or digital skills.

Networking and sharing

Connecting and keeping in touch with other ULRs can be really useful, letting you share experience, advice, and support. You can join the conversation in the Organising Through Learning community on the Organising Space. Many of our regions have networks for ULRs, inviting them to come together online or face to face. Your regional education team will be able to give you more information.
Organising Space Regional education teams
Photograph © Jess Hurd/reportdigital.co.uk

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UNISON learning reps (ULRs) are volunteers who are willing to encourage and support other colleagues with learning in the workplace. Unionlearn's ULR page ULRs are appointed by the branch. If you're interested in becoming one, speak to your branch secretary or the organiser who works with your branch.

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UNISON College is working with the Staff Skills Academy to offer our members access to a range of over 600 free online courses. With options ranging from Managing Remote Teams to Reptile Care to HTML Basics, there's something for everyone, no matter whether you're looking to develop your professional skills or just learn for your own personal fulfilment. Courses are CPD and ROSPA accredited. With these self-guided courses, you learn at your own pace.
10 tips to help you make the most of online learning Click here to access a full list of the courses available.
To apply for your free licence please complete the application form via the link below.
Note: we are unable to allocate new accounts until the beginning of May. Click here to register for an account which will be set up in May 2024.

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UNISON College is working with the Staff Skills Academy to offer our members access to a range of over 600 free online courses. With options ranging from Managing Remote Teams to Reptile Care to HTML Basics, there's something for everyone, no matter whether you're looking to develop your professional skills or just learn for your own personal fulfilment.

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We all depend on care services at some time in our lives - at home; in hospitals, clinics or GP surgeries; or in community and residential settings. This key introductory module provides an authoritative overview of health and social care, with real-life case studies taking you deep into the experience of receiving care and working in care services. Whether you're involved in care work (paid or unpaid), use services yourself, or simply have a general interest, this module will build knowledge and understanding, develop skills, and prepare you for further study.

Modules count towards OU qualifications

OU qualifications are modular in structure; the credits from this undergraduate module could count towards a certificate of higher education, diploma of higher education, foundation degree or honours degree.

Browse qualifications in related subjects

Module

Module code

K102

Credits

Credits

Credits measure the student workload required for the successful completion of a module or qualification.

One credit represents about 10 hours of study over the duration of the course.

You are awarded credits after you have successfully completed a module.

For example, if you study a 60-credit module and successfully pass it, you will be awarded 60 credits.

60

Study level

Across the UK, there are two parallel frameworks for higher education qualifications, the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales (FHEQ) and the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF). These define a hierarchy of levels and describe the achievement expected at each level. The information provided shows how OU module levels correspond to these frameworks.

Study method

Distance Learning

Module cost

See Module registration

Entry requirements

See Entry requirements

What you will study

This online module takes you into the lives of care workers and care service users through in-depth case studies. The module materials are written in clear, simple language and a friendly, thought-provoking style. The module is brought to life through audio, video and interactive activities which will set you thinking - drawing on your own ideas and experience to deepen your learning and help you understand the essentials of good practice.

If you want to share your ideas, you can join online forums with other students and our tutors. You'll develop the academic skills needed to thrive at university through activities that are threaded through the module material. The module also teaches you, quickly and simply, how to use information and communication technology for study.

Block 1: explores what it means to be a carer, firstly in the context of informal or family care and then moving on to formal or professional care. It examines the requirements for being a professional carer such as professional standards as well as the demands and rewards of being involved in providing care.

Block 2: explores human development across the life course through the lens of three case studies. The first focuses on the impact of migration on human development, the second considers how involvement in crime affects people across the life course and the final case study focuses on the needs of people with learning disabilities transitioning from children to adult services. The Block also explores the impact of disadvantage and discrimination to human needs across the life course. These issues will be considered through the lens of a video case study of a preschool play group supporting migrant families service in Edinburgh.

Block 3: examines the important issue of safeguarding. You will learn about the definitions of risk in the context of both adults and children's services. You will also explore the ways in which health and social care services respond to promoting wellbeing and protecting people who are vulnerable. These issues will be considered through the lens of a video case study of a drug and alcohol service in Belfast.

Block 4: introduces some of the core concepts of sociology and how these can help you develop a deeper understanding of health and social care needs and services. In particular you will learn about the importance of identity and how identities change in particular contexts. You will also learn about how needs change as people move through important transitions such as ageing and becoming more dependent.

Block 5: explores the settings in which care takes place and is managed. You visit a wide variety of care environments, from domestic homes, to residential and hospital settings, exploring their physical, social and psychological impact and the extent to which they are enabling or disabling. In particular you will consider the service user and also the professional perspectives on navigating services. These themes will be illustrated with a video case study of an educational mental health resource in Oxford.

Block 6: introduces innovation and digital delivery of health and social care services. You will learn about why technological innovation is important and the advantages and challenges of digital service delivery. You will consider your own digital footprint and use of social media. The issues of this block are illustrated through a video case study of a digital app to support the treatment of people with post traumatic stress disorder filmed at the National Centre for Mental Health in Cardiff.

You will learn

This module is a compulsory part of all OU professional programmes in health and social care. It's designed to provide a broad foundation of essential knowledge and skills for studies in the care field. It provides a thorough and supported programme to develop the skills of independent learning that all students require, particularly the skill of communicating effectively in writing.

Vocational relevance

This module will give you a strong foundation in vocational issues relevant to working across a range of health and social care context.

Professional recognition

This is one of a set of modules that together constitute an approved programme that leads to The Open University's social work degrees in England, Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland. If you would like to know more, visit Social Work. In addition, as KYN102, it forms part of The Open University's programme leading to the professional qualification of Registered Nurse (Part 1: NMC). It may also help you to gain recognition from a professional body. For more information, visit BSc (Honours) Nursing.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material. They will also mark and comment on your written work, and you can ask them for advice and guidance. Your tuition is delivered online and contact with your tutor will be through email and online discussion sessions, but some tuition will be provided through phone conversations.

Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box above. Previously, assessment for this module was advertised as including an iCMA. This was incorrect; assessment for K102 requires you to complete 5 TMAs and an End-of-module assessment.

You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.

Future availability

Introducing health and social care starts twice a year - in February and October.

This page describes the module that will start in October 2021 and February 2022. We expect it to start for the last time in February 2028.

Regulations

As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.

Entry requirements

There are no entry requirements for this module.

This is a key introductory OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you progress to modules at OU level 2

This module is an ideal place to start your degree studies if you want to draw on your experience of caring, no matter how informal.

If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.

Preparatory work

In your first mailing of study materials you will receive guidance of how to get started online. This will provide you with information on using your computer for OU study and working with the Computing Guide. For example, it explains how to access and use your website and online discussion forums. If you have time before the module starts, you can work through this and explore all the online services available to you.

Register

£3168.00

Registration closes 13/01/22 (places subject to availability)
Register

This module is expected to start for the last time in February 2028.

Additional Costs

Study costs

There may be extra costs on top of the tuition fee, such as set books, a computer and internet access.

If your income is not more than £25,000 or you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, you might be eligible for help with some of these costs after your module has started.

Ways to pay for this module

Open University Student Budget Account

The Open University Student Budget Accounts Ltd (OUSBA) offers a convenient 'pay as you go' option to pay your OU fees, which is a secure, quick and easy way to pay. Please note that The Open University works exclusively with OUSBA and is not able to offer you credit facilities from any other provider. All credit is subject to status and proof that you can afford the repayments.

You pay the OU through OUSBA in one of the following ways:

Register now, pay later - OUSBA pays your module fee direct to the OU. You then repay OUSBA interest-free and in full just before your module starts. 0% APR representative. This option could give you the extra time you may need to secure the funding to repay OUSBA.

Pay by instalments - OUSBA calculates your monthly fee and number of instalments based on the cost of the module you are studying. APR 5.1% representative.

Joint loan applications

If you feel you would be unable to obtain an OUSBA loan on your own due to credit history or affordability issues, OUSBA offers the option to apply for a joint loan application with a third party. For example, your husband, wife, partner, parent, sibling or friend. In such cases, OUSBA will be required to carry out additional affordability checks separately and/or collectively for both joint applicants who will be jointly and severally liable for loan repayments.

As additional affordability checks are required when processing joint loan applications, unfortunately, an instant decision cannot be given. On average the processing time for a joint loan application is five working days from receipt of the required documentation.

Read more about Open University Student Budget Accounts (OUSBA).

Employer sponsorship

Studying with The Open University can boost your employability. OU courses are recognised and respected by employers for their excellence and the commitment they take to complete. They also value the skills that students learn and can apply in the workplace.

More than one in ten OU students are sponsored by their employer, and over 30,000 employers have used the OU to develop staff so far. If the module you've chosen is geared towards your job or developing your career, you could approach your employer to see if they will sponsor you by paying some or all of the fees.

Your employer just needs to complete a simple form to confirm how much they will be paying and we will invoice them.

You won't need to get your employer to complete the form until after you've chosen your module.

Credit/debit card

You can pay part or all of your tuition fees upfront with a debit or credit card when you register for each module.

We accept American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Visa Electron.

Mixed payments

We know that sometimes you may want to combine payment options. For example, you may wish to pay part of your tuition fee with a debit card and pay the remainder in instalments through an Open University Student Budget Account (OUSBA).

Please note: your permanent address/domicile will affect your fee status and therefore the fees you are charged and any financial support available to you. The fees and funding information provided here is valid for modules starting before 31 July 2022. Fees normally increase annually in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees.
This information was provided on 25/11/2021.

What's included

Module books, other printed materials.

Computing requirements

You'll need a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of 64-bit Windows 10 (note that Windows 7 is no longer supported) or macOS and broadband internet access.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile App will operate on all current, supported, versions of Android and iOS. It's not available on Kindle.

It's also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook, however, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you'll also require a desktop or laptop as described above.

If you have a disability

The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying K102 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.

To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.

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We all depend on care services at some time in our lives - at home; in hospitals, clinics or GP surgeries; or in community and residential settings. This key introductory module provides an authoritative overview of health and social care, with real-life case studies taking you deep into the experience of receiving care and working in care services.

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Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Qualification 

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Level 3 Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Qualification 

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Email out to members for Sept intake 2025 (003)