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Programme Aim     

This programme, at North Connaught College, Tubbercurry, Sligo, will equip the learner with the skills and confidence to work effectively with groups of people in a variety of settings and to step into group leadership roles. Anybody who works with groups of people (including family) can benefit from this course.

In particular it is designed to help people to develop transferable skills that will be useful in any number of settings: work, local community groups and voluntary organisations.

This course will facilitate the learner to understand Community Development and to explore policies, procedures and best practice guidelines that support the delivery of effective community work.

It is designed to equip learners with the range of skills and knowledge to be an active community member with an understanding of key community development principles such

as empowerment, participation and collective decision making. This is the ideal starting point if you wish to progress to further studies or gain employment in a variety of community, health and educational organisations.

Students will gain knowledge in:

  • Community Development Theory
  • Community Development Practice
  • Group Work Theory & Practice
  • Conflict Management

Other areas of study include:

  • Team Leadership
  • Social Analysis

Work experience is also a core feature of the programme with learners spending time in a community setting, enhancing employability and developing new skills.

How the course is taught

North Connaught College has developed a style of teaching to meet the needs of a diverse community of learners.

  • Whenever possible, we use a Learn-by-Doing approach to make the learning experience more realistic and enjoyable.
  • We provide learning supports that are tailored to the needs of individual learners.

Programme Progression 

Progression to Higher Education

Students who successfully complete the course may gain entry to Third Level Institutes and Colleges through the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme.

The following suggested courses are the most relevant;

ITB Institute of Technology Blancherdstown

NUI Maynooth

UCC  University College Cork

 Institute of Technology Sligo

GMIT Galway Mayo Institute of Technology

ALIT Athlone Institute of Technology

 Career Opportunities

Students who successfully complete the course may gain employment in a wide variety of organisations such as residential centres, family support services, educational organisations & community support projects.

Certification

QQI Level 6 Award in Community Development (6M3674)

Duration

This is a full-time one-year course (3 Days per week in college and work experience and 2 days self -directed study ) and runs from September to May.

For more Information

Phone 071-9185035 or email nccollege@msletb.ie

Please Note

  • At registration students will be requested to complete the necessary documentation in order to satisfy Garda Vetting before they commence Work Experience.

Entry Requirements

Education: No formal education or qualifications are required although applicants may have participated in primary and secondary education. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate a standard of knowledge, skill and competence equivalent to NFQ Level 5 when accessing a Level 6 programme.

Aptitude: Applicants must have a motivation to learn, an interest in the subject and the ability to acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies set out in the course.

Previous Experience: Applicants must be able to demonstrate a broad range of knowledge, skills and competencies relevant to the course and be able to exercise initiative and independence when carrying out course activities.

Course Content

Title Award Awarding Body
Community Development Theory (6N3668) QQI
Community Development Practice (6N3667) QQI
Group Work Theory & Practice (6N3669) QQI
Conflict Management (6N2775) QQI
Team Leadership (6N1948) QQI
Social Analysis (6N3666) QQI
Work Experience (6N1946) QQI

Further Details

Below is a more detailed description of each of the Components.

Community Development Theory

Community Development Theory helps students to understand some proven techniques for working with people in diverse communities, including geographic communities and communities of interest. (e.g. clubs, groups of people with shared concerns or interests, unions etc)

In particular Community development theory looks at 5 key principles of working with people and how to achieve the outcomes you want while adhering to those principles. Key principles include: empowerment, social justice, participation, collective action and equality and anti-discrimination. These principles can be applied to any group situation from youth groups to parent’s associations to bodies that promote local interests.

Community Development Practice

Community Development Practice is the practical application of the learning from all modules but in particular this module trains students in project leadership. This practical module requires students to take a leadership role with a small group of people to help them become  a successful community. While the skills are applied in a community setting, the project management skills learnt in this module are useful in many aspects of life.

Group Work Theory and Practice

Have you ever wondered why some groups work well and others don’t function because of  cliques; poor leadership, decisions being made by a small group without consultation with everybody and enthusiastic people getting disgruntled and walking away?

Group Work Theory and Practice focuses on understanding how to facilitate groups of people so that they can be highly effective and inclusive. In this module you learn the theory of what makes a group work well together and you learn facilitation skills. This module equips learners with highly valuable skills that they can use in a variety of settings.

Conflict Management

This module will allow the learner an understanding of the role of conflict in group and organisational life and how to manage the conflict. To achieve this first the learner needs to be aware of their own approach to conflict and how they manage conflict situations. Once the learner has this awareness and understanding they are then able to develop conflict management skills to use in their personal and work life.

Team Leadership 

This module is essential to understand the dynamics of the people working on your team. Throughout the module you will gain a knowledge and understanding of:

  • The stages of team development, for example, the different kinds of teams, a multi-team environment, the characteristics of an effective team and the need for different roles for individuals within the team.
  • Understand the different types of leadership and management styles.
  • Explore organisational strategy, objectives and goals
  • Evaluate a range of current motivation theories and practical strategies to enhance motivation in teams.

Work Experience

Students will find work placement in a suitable Health and Social Care settings where they will apply their skills including demonstrating the ability to work in a supervisory capacity.  Work-experience classes will prepare the student to apply for this work placement, and future work, by focusing on interview preparation.  Students will assess their skills and qualities to produce a CV and cover letter.  They will investigate their employment sector and identify job openings and future training opportunities.  The placement reinforces the skills learned at North Connaught College and aids the development of employability/transferable skills.  The learning during the placement will be documented, and opportunities and challenges encountered will be reflected upon.