Foundation degree in Housing witH support - Cornwall College

Foundation degree in Housing witH support
CORNWALL COLLEGE GROUP

CHS Foundation Degree in
Housing with Support
the Foundation degree (Fda) in Housing with support gives you the opportunity to advance your professional career,
academic development and personal prospects by gaining a unique, valuable and nationally-validated qualification.
the Centre for Housing and support offers this prestigious qualification as part of its range of blended learning courses for
those working in any type of housing-related support setting. if you satisfactorily complete this course you will be awarded
your qualification by the university of plymouth.
this guide will explain how it works, how long it takes, what is expected of you, what it costs, who pays what and what both
you and your employer stand to gain.
How it Works
An educational progression
the Centre for Housing and support’s Foundation degree
is a three-year flexible learning course, validated by the
university of plymouth.
the Foundation degree has been designed in partnership
with employers to equip people with the relevant knowledge
and skills for business.
By successfully completing the Foundation degree you
will also attain the Chartered institute of Housing Level 4
Certificate and diploma in Housing.
previous CHs Foundation degree graduates and tutors
Flexible Learning
Flexible Learning offers a combination of tutor-led and
independent study. during study blocks, students enjoy the
considerable benefits of being taught in a classroom by our
experienced tutors. this learning is further enhanced by the
benefits of working together with other students.
outside the classroom, students supplement this learning
with independent study with support from our tutors as
required. the study blocks are spread throughout the year
making it easier for employers to plan and for students to
complete course work. successful completion of just the first
year will gain you the CiH Level 4 Certificate and a Certificate
of professional development.
Learning is supported by substantial on-line resources via the
CHs Moodle site. Moodle is an online Course Management
system, also known as a Virtual Learning environment (VLe).
the Centre for Housing and support’s Flexible Learning
approach makes it as easy as possible to study and gain
the valuable qualifications that will set you on track for a
profitable, qualified, future career in housing.
For example, Kevin McConnell, a previous successful student
of this course said,
“the course provided me with a solid foundation upon
which to develop and think creatively. this expanded
my understanding of working with sometimes helpless
individuals and provided me with a confident platform to
stimulate new ideas.
“although difficult at times, the rewards far exceeded the effort
and it was reassuring to know that help was always at hand.”
Bronwen Halliwell, another recent graduate, said,
“Looking back, the knowledge and confidence i gained
with each assignment surprised me. i realised that whilst
i know my role, i didn’t really know the industry, had no
concept or true understanding of the wider picture or the
context housing support has in the overall picture.
“now having completed it, i feel really proud of myself
and i am better placed in my work. i am confident in my
opinions and understanding of the industry and now
feel able to look wider for future employment and i am
looking at other diverse future goals.”
this guide is designed as a quick reference handbook for the CHs Foundation degree in Housing with support and contains
both background information and specific information about the delivery of the course, its contents and the costs involved.
we believe it answers all the questions you may have about the course, however, if you require further information please do
not hesitate to contact us by any of the methods detailed at the end of this brochure.
2 To find out more call 01905 727264, email foundationdegree@chs.ac.uk or visit www.chs.ac.uk/fda

The Chartered Institute of Housing
embedded in the first two years of the Foundation degree
are the CiH’s Level 4 Certificate and diploma in Housing. this
means that Foundation degree students are student members
of the CiH during the first two years of the course and receive
all the benefits of that membership including:
• the ability to participate fully in CiH activities
• access to the members-only section of the CiH website
• discounts on purchases of CiH books
• a subscription to the weekly magazine, inside Housing
About the Course
What’s distinctive about the Centre for Housing
and Support’s Foundation Degree and other Higher
Education programmes?
the content of the degree is wholly relevant to the
professional and academic needs of those working in
Housing with support.
the greatest difference is to be found in how the teaching
will be delivered. a mixture of face-to-face teaching during
study blocks will be interspersed with, and complemented by,
on-line work via the Centre for Housing and support’s online
learning tool, Moodle. Moodle gives you access to teaching
materials, activity work, learning resources and provides a
valuable communication tool through which you can interact
with your tutors and the other students on your course.
The key features of your learning
experience will be:
• You and your tutors can continue to interact between
study blocks
• You will have access to a wealth of on-line resources
• You will have access to the university of plymouth’s
electronic library
• You will enjoy enhanced learning in class and
independent study
• You will be able to communicate with other students
through Moodle
• Your iCt skills will be developed and enhanced
• You will enjoy greater opportunities for independent
learning
the CHs Moodle Virtual Learning environment
To fTo find out more call 01905 727264, email foundationdegree@chs.ac.uk or visit www.chs.ac.uk/fda 3

More about Foundation Degrees
Foundation degrees are higher education qualifications
designed to prepare people for work in higher technician and
associate professional occupations.
a fundamental element of Foundation degrees is the
work-based learning aspect of the course. Foundation
degrees develop the student’s technical and work-specific
skills, work-related knowledge, academic learning, generic
skills and key skills.
Your course will be broken into modules. a module is simply
a unit of study. each module has a ‘Level’ rating and carries
a credit-weighting. the Centre for Housing and support
Housing with support Foundation degree programme
consists of 120 Level 1 Credits and 120 Level 2 Credits. Most
modules are worth 10 or 20 credits each.
the work required for the entire degree Course equates to
around 270 guided Learning Hours (including all contact
hours such as study Blocks, as well as further reading and any
assessments). this is for an average student, spread across the
whole three years of the course.
The modules in this programme are distributed over the
three years of study.
the concept of work-based learning is fundamental to any
Foundation degree. You will integrate your learning with
your employment through work-based assignments and
your reflective practice (rp) and personal and professional
development (ppd) activities. additionally, some modules
will be delivered in whole or in part by specialists from the
housing sector.
Flexible Access
this course offers flexible access with recognition for your
existing skills and knowledge; in other words, your work
experience can help qualify you to enrol. see the application
form for more details.
Module List
Here’s a list and description of each of the learning modules.
Introduction to Higher Education
this module is an introduction to the whole course that
provides you with valuable information and skills that
will prepare you to study. this module lasts 2 1/2 days, is
presented at the Centre for Housing and support Learning
Centre in worcester, and is residential and mandatory. Your
accommodation and food are provided during this module.
apart from the valuable learning experience, this provides
an excellent introduction to your tutors and to the other
students who will be learning alongside you. the Centre for
Housing and support learning web site (Moodle) facilitates
communication between learners, so it’s here we hope you
will build friendships that will help all of you through the
process of gaining your Foundation degrees.
Year 1
Housing Policy
this module introduces learners to the policy context for
housing. it establishes the policy framework for housing and
outlines the principal players in the policy setting arena. it
asks learners to consider current and future policy trends
for housing, implications for practice and regional and
national variations and to consider the financial/budgetary
implications of policy.
Housing Support Services for Independent Living
this module addresses issues relating to the provision of
support and support-related services to clients. it looks at
issues relating to needs assessment and support planning
and the management of support services. it addresses clientfocused
approaches to service delivery within the broader
context of promoting empowerment, independence and
choice
Managing People
Managing people focuses on the knowledge and skills
that students need in the work place to manage staff. the
module will explore good practice in staff management,
managing change, and managing performance within an
organisational context.
Strategies for Promoting Independent Living
this module requires learners to understand the policy
context for supported living and the development of housing
support services in recent years. in addition, learners will
evaluate issues relating to working with other professions and
agencies and good practice.
Housing need, Demand and Supply
this module requires students to understand the broader
social context in which housing is provided. it looks at
the relationship between demography and housing need,
demand and supply of housing, uK stock profile and tenure
differences. it also introduces learners to issues relating to
social exclusion, promoting inclusion and a wider diversity
agenda for housing.
The Delivery of Housing Services
in this module, students explore the delivery of housing
services from both a strategic and operational point of view,
linking policy to delivery. it looks at housing delivery in a
national, local, organisational and individual basis. it also
explores regulation.
4 To find out more call 01905 727264, email foundationdegree@chs.ac.uk or visit www.chs.ac.uk/fda

Year 2
Professional Skills for Housing
this module introduces learners to techniques that evaluate
their skills against key generic skills in the overall outcomes
for this programme. students reflect upon the professional
attributes of the work they do and how they can develop
their own practice to acquire or enhance these; to plan their
own professional and personal development; to reflect upon
their learning.
Reflective Practice (RP)
this module focuses upon the reflection and evaluation
of professional practice, specifically the emergence and
understanding of professional identities and the changing
context of supported housing and practice styles, with reference
to changing notions of professional practice. this enquiry will be
tailored by individual students to their own field.
Partnership Working In Housing
this module introduces learners to the roles of related
professions and agencies in supporting individuals and
communities, in particular the spectrum of ways in which they
work together from professional networks to collaborative
projects and issues relating to different types of working.
Housing Law
this module introduces students to the structure of the legal
system in the country in which they practice, enabling them
to understand the legal processes and to be introduced to the
key legislation for landlords and tenants.
Diversity for Housing
in this module learners gain an understanding of diversity
issues relating to housing, particularly supported housing, and
to critically examine strategies and policies that aim to support
diversity and equality processes in housing organisations.
Housing Economics
in this module students learn about the processes involved
in financial management and the external sources of finance
which housing organisations access. the unit also explores
the wider financial environment of housing organisations,
the concepts of affordability and subsidy, and public and
private finance.
Research Methods (1)
this module will introduce students to research methods
including: understanding the role and purpose of research;
commissioning or carrying out research; understanding
research methodologies; designing research and using the
results. this module links directly with, and is preparation for,
the work-Based research project module.
Year 3 – Foundation Degree in
Housing with Support
Research methods (2)
this module follows on from research Methods (1) in Year
2. students will revise their research proposals based on
feedback received from their tutor and then present their
proposal formally, which is then assessed.
Research into Housing with Support Project
to conduct a piece of work-based research into an issue
relevant to the programme content under the supervision
of a member of staff and a work-based mentor based upon
the proposals presented in the organisational Behaviour and
performance Management module.
Organisational Behaviour and Performance
Management
a wide diversity of organisations provide housing-related
support. these behave in different ways and this module
explores their cultures and characteristics, how their
behaviour affects performance and how it can be managed
and changed and the various ways in which performance can
be measured and managed.
International Perspectives on Housing with Support
in this module students will consider different international
perspectives by looking at the variety of policy responses,
cultural differences, structures and systems, and services.
Developing Strategies and Services
this module will equip students with the skills and knowledge
to be able to develop the types of strategies and services
required by housing with support organisations to meet
the needs of service users, the organisation and other
stakeholders; that comply with external policy, regulatory
or legislative requirements and are developed within a
framework of customer care.
To find out more call 01905 727264, email foundationdegree@chs.ac.uk or visit www.chs.ac.uk/fda 5

Timing of the Study Blocks
Tutor-led classroom learning days
Year 1
intro to Higher education two and a half days – covering
study skills
study Block 1 - 2 days - Housing policy
study Block 2 - 2 days - Housing need, demand and supply
study Block 3 - 2 days - Housing support for independent
Living and strategies for independent Living
study Block 4 - 2 days - Managing people and delivery of
Housing services
Year 2
study Block 1 - 2½ days - diversity for Housing and ppd & rp
study Block 2 - 2 days - Housing Law
study Block 3 - 2 days - partnership working
study Block 4 - 2 days - Housing economics
study Block 5 - 2 days - research Methods (1)
Year 3
study Block 1 - 3 days - research Methods (2) and developing
strategies and services
study Block 2 - 2 days - organisational Behaviour and
performance Management
study Block 3 - 2 days - international perspectives and Course
Conclusion
A unique course
You should be aware that the CHs programme is not
available elsewhere because it incorporates the CiH Level
4 diploma in Housing; it is delivered by flexible learning,
which allows you greater flexibility in planning your studies; it
focuses on vulnerable people and it is delivered by staff who
are specialists in Housing-related support.
we are delighted to report the success rate for students
following this programme has been over 90 percent, with an
increasing proportion of students graduating with distinction.
in november 2011, half of those graduating did so with
distinction and of those who will graduate in november
2012, over 60 percent are expected to do so with distinction.
Fees
as a result of the changes in the way the government funds
higher education courses in england, the CHs and Cornwall
College have no option but to increase the tuition fees for the
CHs’s Foundation degree in Housing with support from the
start of the academic year 2012/2013.
as you will have heard and read, many universities are
charging up to £9,000 per year for degree courses. a great
advantage of studying for your Foundation degree with
the CHs is that we are part of the Cornwall College group.
Further education colleges are now playing a bigger role in
offering degrees in england, as colleges are awarded funding
for thousands of places previously held by universities.
the fees for a Foundation degree course provided by a
Further education College can be significantly lower than
those for a university course of the same level. Having said
that, the Foundation degree in Housing with support is
validated by the university of plymouth, from which you will
receive your degree.
the fees for the Foundation degree in Housing with
support have been set at £4000 per annum. Certainly this
is an increase on the previous fees but it need not be a
barrier if you wish to take this opportunity to improve your
qualifications and with it your career opportunities.
our fees are considerably lower than that charged by many
other educational institutions for similar level courses, many
of which are charging around £6000 per annum.
Student Loans
naturally, we suggest you apply to your employer for
financial assistance to embark on this course but in the
absence of that support, you will be able to apply for a
student Loan to pay the tuition fees.
It is worth emphasising you will not have to pay any fees
up front, neither will you have to repay anything until two
years after you graduate.
Furthermore, part-time students who start their course after
1 September 2012 will, only begin paying back their student
loan once they are earning more than £21,000 year.
Student Loan repayments are affordable and based upon
your salary at the time of repayment; they start at just £30
per month.
6 To find out more call 01905 727264, email foundationdegree@chs.ac.uk or visit www.chs.ac.uk/fda

More about student loans
a tuition Fee Loan covers the fees you’re charged each year
of your course. it will be paid directly to Cornwall College.
repayments for courses starting after 1 september 2012 won’t
begin until april 2016. For example, if your course finishes in
June 2015 and you get a job paying £25,000 in september
2015, you start repayments in april 2016. should your income
fall below £21,000 a year, your repayments will stop.
if you’re a part-time student earning more than £21,000 a
year, you start repaying your loan in the april four years after
starting your course.
You’re charged interest on your loan from the time you
receive your first payment until you pay your loan back in
full. the amount of interest you’re charged varies (see http://
is.gd/studentLoans). the actual interest rates depend on the
rate of inflation, for example, for an income of £21,000 or
less, rate of inflation; £21,000 - 41,000, it varies between the
rate of inflation and the rate of inflation plus 3% depending
on your income; £41,000 or more, the rate of inflation plus 3
percent.
Your monthly payments: 9 percent of your income over the
threshold of £21,000 a year. For example, your course starts
in september 2012 and you finish in June 2015. in september
2015 you’re earning £25,000. this is £4,000 over the £21,000
threshold. You pay 9 percent of £4,000 which is £360. this
means from april 2016 you pay back £30 per month. You
can pay back all or some of your loan at any time without
incurring any early repayment charges.
Your income per year Monthly repayments
£21,000 and under no repayments
£25,000 £30
£30,000 £67.50
£40,000 £142.50
£50,000 £217.50
£60,000 £292.50
this table clearly shows that a loan will be very affordable
for students on average incomes - the kinds who tend to be
those who study on this CHs course.
note also that all these figures are based on someone taking
the maximum loan. if you or your employer pays some of the
fees upfront, there will obviously be less to repay later.
Breakdown of the tuition fees
Year 1
Course fee includes all your first year tuition, 2 nights’ food
and accommodation during the ‘introduction to Higher
education’ module in worcester, access to Moodle, student
membership of the Chartered institute of Housing, a
subscription to ‘inside Housing’, the CiH weekly magazine,
access to the Centre for Housing and support resource
Library, comprehensive ongoing tutor support for one
year and end-of-year Centre for Housing and support and
independent assessment of your work.
£4,000 for 2012/13
Year 2
Course fee includes all your tuition, access to Moodle,
student membership of the Chartered institute of Housing,
a subscription to ‘inside Housing’, the CiH weekly magazine,
access to the Centre for Housing and support resource
Library, comprehensive ongoing tutor support for one
year and end-of-year Centre for Housing and support and
independent assessment of your work.
£4,000 for 2013/14
Year 3
Course fee includes all your tuition, access to Moodle, access
to the CHs resource Library, comprehensive ongoing tutor
support for one year and end-of-year Centre for Housing and
support and independent assessment of your work.
£4,000 for 2014/15
To find out more call 01905 727264, email foundationdegree@chs.ac.uk or visit www.chs.ac.uk/fda 7

Questions and Answers
Q: What’s in it for me?
the Centre for Housing and support’s Foundation degree
provides the opportunity to study a Higher education course
that develops your professional skills and knowledge. as part
of a wider He programme it offers you many opportunities
to study at your own pace and by flexible learning.
Q: What is flexible learning?
Flexible learning is designed to be more responsive to the
needs of students and their employers. this means there
are classroom learning study blocks spaced throughout the
duration of a programme, together with online learning
between study blocks. so, for the first year of the Foundation
degree this means 11.5 days of study blocks within a 12
month period.
Q: If I have the CIH Level 3 Certificate or Diploma am I
eligible to do the FdA?
Yes, holding a Level 3 qualification means that you could join
the Fda.
Q: What if I have no formal academic qualifications?
if you have substantial experience in housing then holding
a minimum of four gCses could allow entry to the
programme. each application is judged on its merits.
Q: Does the CIH Level 4 Certificate/Diploma still exist, and
does the Centre for Housing and Support still teach it?
the CiH Level 4 Certificate and diploma in Housing continue
to exist but they are taught by distance learning. on
successful completion of the Foundation degree in Housing
with support you will also qualify to attain CiH Level 4
Certificate and diploma.
Q: If I have the original Level 4 certificate can I top it up
to the Foundation Degree?
Yes. You are eligible to join the second year of the
Foundation degree if you already have the Level 4 Certificate
in Housing.
Q: If I have the Level 4 Certificate & the Diploma can I
top them up to the Foundation Degree?
Yes. You will need to complete the module reflective
practice, which equates to 10 Credits. You are then eligible to
join the third year of the Foundation degree.
Q: Can I study for just one, or for several modules?
Yes. register as an He student for a single or several
modules and study for them by attending the appropriate
study blocks and working independently with full tutorial
support and access to Moodle, our web-based learning
environment. You will have to submit and pass the
assignments. individual module credits can be accumulated
to attain one of the He qualifications.
Q: When should I apply?
there are two intakes to the Foundation degree each
academic year; one in october and one in March. the
deadline to apply for the october 2011 start date is midseptember
2011 and the deadline to apply for the March
2012 start date is mid-February 2012. You can apply as soon
as you wish, there is no need to wait until september or
February, in fact it’s best to apply well before the deadline.
Q: Is the Foundation Degree as far as I can progress in
my studies?
if you wish to take your career in Housing a stage beyond
even the Foundation degree, you can do this too. what’s
more, there are two ways you can continue.
• a further “top-up” course, offered by several other
universities with which the Centre for Housing and support
has links, builds to the award of a full Ba (Hons) degree.
• the second way is to gain the Chartered institute of
Housing’s full professional qualification, via distance
learning with de Montfort university, leading to full
Corporate Membership of the Chartered institute
of Housing.
8 To find out more call 01905 727264, email foundationdegree@chs.ac.uk or visit www.chs.ac.uk/fda

How to Progress
we hope we have answered all your questions. if we haven’t,
please do send us an email, or better still, call us for a chat -
our contact details are below.
when you decide to go ahead, your next move is to discuss
this with your employers (if they would like to talk to us
about it, we’re always happy to speak with them).
next, photocopy the application form overleaf; complete it
and mail or fax it to us. we’ll be in touch to start the ball rolling.
Contact details
the Centre for Housing and support
elgar House
shrub Hill road
worcester
wr4 9ee
telephone: 01905 727272
Fax: 01905 727299
email: info@chs.ac.uk &
foundationdegree@chs.ac.uk
website: www.chs.ac.uk &
www.chs.ac.uk/fda
twitter: @theCHs
the programme Manager and senior tutor for this course is
steve McCann. He will be pleased to answer any questions
you may have. email: steve.mccann@chs.ac.uk.
To find out more call 01905 727264, email foundationdegree@chs.ac.uk or visit www.chs.ac.uk/fda 9

Application Form
Please print clearly in black and be sure to complete all the sections. Thank you.
Course title Foundation Degree in Housing with Support
About you
Surname Forenames
Title Mr Mrs Miss Ms Date of Birth
Home Address
Home Email
About your work
Organisation
Job Title
Work Address
About your employer
Employer's
Name
Employer's
Address
About your line manager
Manager's
Surname
Manager's Title Mr Mrs Miss Ms
Organisation
Address
Which intake are you applying for?
Post Code
Home Tel
Mobile Tel
Post Code
Work Tel
Work Email
Post Code
Employer's
Tel
Fax Number
Manager's
Forename
Post Code
Telephone
Fax Number
Your Preferred Start Month October 2012 March 2013 Please continue overleaf . . .

The course or registration fee invoice should be addressed to:
Surname Forename
Department
Address
Post Code Email
Minimum Entry Requirements
You need . . . Please tick
4 GCSEs or 'O' Levels at Grade C or above
. . . plus at least one of the following:
A Levels required AS/A2/UCAS
80 points – combination of appropriate A-levels, Key Skills and AS Levels (Maximum of 40 points
from Key Skills)
BTEC National Certificate/Diploma
HNC/D
Level 3 Certificate in Housing/VDA: AGNVQ, AVCE, AVS Advanced GNVQ/AVCE or NVQ Level 3
Access to HE (Certificate in Appropriate Subject)
International Baccalaureate
Irish/Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers - Level D
Other non-standard awards or experience. If you can demonstrate the capacity to study at this level
or have considerable experience of working in Housing with Support, or Housing in general at a
management or strategic level, we can accept this as fulfilling part of your entry requirements. Tick
the box and supply the details of your experience with this application.
Please note that original certificates must be enclosed with your application. We will check and return them within one week.
On receipt of your application forms you will receive a telephone
interview from one of our tutors. Please advise the most suitable
number and time to contact you.
Important Notes
Tel Number
• Please inform us if you have a requirement for additional facilities to help with a disability or a special need.
• Please note, we have to charge the full fee if a student books onto, and later fails to start a confirmed course or withdraws
less than 10 working days before the course start date.
• We have to charge full Foundation Degree fees if a student chooses to defer or withdraw from the course at any point. If
they choose to re-join, full fees are payable again.
• It is an absolute requirement of this course that you have access to a PC or laptop computer and the Internet.
• Regardless of which intake you enrol on, the Introduction to HE study block will always run in the Centre for Housing and
Support Training Suite in Worcester. This block is residential. Accommodation and meals (for this introductory session
only) are included in the course fee.
• Course fees are correct at time of publication. Please email as below or call us on 01905 727272 for any updates.
Please direct any questions you have to Steve McCann, HE Programme Manager. Email: steve.mccann@chs.ac.uk.
Please return your completed form to:
CHS Student Administration, Elgar House, Shrub Hill Road, Worcester, WR4 9EE or fax it to 01905 727299. Please call
01905 727264 to confirm receipt.
Time

developing excellent people
the Centre for Housing and support is at the forefront of national training provision for professionals working in
Housing-related support and the voluntary sector. the Centre helps equip professionals to do what they do best -
provide a highly effective service to vulnerable people with differing needs and aspirations.
A443 Henwick Rd Hylton Rd
A449 Bromwich Road
New Rd
A449 Barbourne Rd Foregate Street High Street
Deansway
Wallis Rd
Sidbury
A38 Bath Rd
Shrub Hill Rd
Tallow Hill
B4550 Lowesmoor Terrace
Midland Rd
B4637 Tolladine Rd
B4205 Wyld's Lane
London Road A44
B4636 Newtown Rd
CHS services include:
· apprenticeships and advanced apprenticeships
in Housing at Level 2 and Level 3
· Level 2, Level 3 and Level 4 Qualification Courses
in Housing practice
· a Level 3 qualification in homelessness
· Qualifications in supporting the mental health
and wellbeing of older people
· Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in assistive
technology and telecare
· the Foundation degree in Housing with support
· CHs in-house training
· the Code of practice for Housing-related support
· CHs seminars and workshops
· the CHs membership service
the Centre for Housing and support offers everything you need for training and qualification opportunities for
professionals in Housing-related support. we also provide Consultancy, event Management and many other
services; please see our website for details.
For further details contact:
The Centre for Housing and Support • Shrub Hill Road • Worcester • WR4 9EE
tel: 01905 727272
email: info@chs.ac.uk
website: www.chs.ac.uk
03251MM0812