Health & Social Care
The Centre of Excellence in Health & Social Care is based at the Centre for Advanced Technical Studies and Leigh Adult Learning Centre and offers training for future health and care workers to meet the skills gaps within the borough. We offer the courses for what the health and social care job market wants now and in the future – responding to the shortages and workforce agenda in this sector.
We have some of the best healthcare teaching facilities in the region including an immersive teaching environment (CAVE), Assisted Technologies and Manual Handling Suite, Clinical Skills Wards, Anatomage table, and wellbeing rooms within our Leigh Adult Learning Centre.
We’re about more than giving students great skills, we pride ourselves in nurturing the whole person, so they’re truly prepared for what a career in health and social care means – whether that’s through specialist nursing pathways, competitions, masterclasses by industry professionals or work placement opportunities.
Make Health your Future
Our Healthy Future
Throughout our Health & Social Care programmes, we recognise the importance of a skilled workforce in addressing the needs of individuals and communities. From nursing pathways to counselling and community work, we train individuals who have a keen interest in the workforce agenda.
Targeted for a more mature audience, our Adult Learning Centre based at Leigh Campus provides learners with opportunities to do just that. We aim to empower our graduates to become resilient, resourceful and responsive care givers.
Futuristic Care
Our Centre for Advanced Technical Studies and Leigh Adult Learning Centre are home to some of the best healthcare teaching facilities in the region.
This includes:
immersive teaching environment (CAVE)
assisted technologies
manual handling suite
clinical skills wards
anatomage table
wellbeing rooms
The department works closely in partnership with a wide range of health and social care employers, such as Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Wigan Council.
Our partnerships with local and national employers mean we offer a range of guest speakers from the industry, providing you with a deeper understanding of what it takes to work in the healthcare profession.
From working with awarding bodies to tutors with Master’s Degrees, our faculty add to our excellent resources.
Your Healthy Future
Our curriculum is designed to engage and challenge you, ensuring that you gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the healthcare field.
Our students progress onto university, apprenticeships or employment after college.
Outside of the classroom, students will have the option to gain on-site training with local employers as part of their work placements, and others will have the opportunity to enter in WorldSkills competitions annually, with some progressing to the UK Squad.
We also offer an array of trips suited for your learning and interests, including Italy, Netherlands and London.
Teachers – In Focus
Lorna Brackenbury, Higher Education Lead and Lecturer
Lorna volunteered in a number of different health and social care environments including The Royal Liverpool Hospital, where she assisted doctors and nurses on the diabetic ward.
She then found a passion for working with children and young people at The PACE centre which provides education for those who were unable to attend mainstream school due to behaviour difficulties.
“This role developed my awareness of how individuals with different backgrounds and how this can impact their educational development,” she said.
After completing a degree in Teaching, Learning and Mentoring, Lorna gained a Masters in safeguarding. She said: “This degree has allowed me to share my knowledge with my students to ensure they are safeguarding vulnerable individuals in placement/ job roles.”
Robyn Roberts, Lecturer
Robyn has experience working as a care assistant for the NHS, providing care for adults and further expanding her understanding of the diverse needs within the healthcare system.
She also followed her true passion which lay in the social elements of health and social care, leading her to complete a degree in criminology.
She has also worked for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service in Fire. “This role enhanced my understanding of public safety and community health, reinforcing my commitment to safeguarding and preventative care,” she said.
After graduating, Robyn dedicated several years working as an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) for Women’s Aid. “This role was particularly fulfilling as it allowed me to protect and support vulnerable women and children, solidifying my dedication to safeguarding and social care,” she said.
“I moved into teaching to pursue my passion for education, where I can share my extensive knowledge and experience with students.”
Care for your Skills- Student Success
Maynara Baptista – BTEC Level 3 Health & Social Care
The two-time Student of the Year winner is considering a career working with children in the psychology or neuroscience area.
University Offers:
- BSc (Hons) Psychology – University of East London
- BSc (Hons) Psychology – Goldsmiths, University of London
- BSc (Hons) Psychology – University of Greenwich
- BSc (Hons) Psychology – London Metropolitan University
She said: “I like that this course has lots of different aspects of healthcare. This helped me decide what I wanted to do and it gives us a good opportunity to look at lots of different career options.”
Amelia Mills – T Level Health (Nursing)
Amelia aspires to become a midwife.
University Offers:
- BMidwif Midwifery – University of Manchester
- BSc (Hons) Midwifery – University of Salford
“I want to be able to support and empower women during a moment in their lives that they will cherish. But also to be that support on the emotional side of things and be there for them in difficult times,” she said.
Jack Woods – T Level Health (Healthcare Professional)
Destination
- BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy – University of Salford
He said: “My favourite thing has been learning about physiological measurements such as doing BMI, blood pressure, heart rate, blood glucose testing and how we can use what we have learnt and practice on our classmates. It’s a useful skill to have in life in general.”
