The social and health college in North 2 3

SOSU Nord SOSU Nord 2 3 SOSU Nord

”SOSU Nord” is one of the largest social and health colleges in . Situated in an area known for the beauty of its countryside, the college’s primary activity is to train staff for the social and health sector. “SOSU Nord” was established by the County of North Jutland in 1991 to concentrate the former training programmes (nursing aide, occupational therapist aide, psychiatric nursing aide and nursing home assistant) to a more uniform system.

The college quickly became a success and as early as in 1995 the facilities were no longer adequate. The County therefore established a new department in Svenstrup, situated south of . The same year the college also expanded with a Department for Continuing Education and Training, responsible for upgrading qualifications, retrai- ning and in-service training. In 1997 the Educator assistant training was established. This programme trains pupils to work in the social and educational sector. Another department was established in 2002. This department is situated in Hjørring.

On January 1st. 2007, due to structural changes in Danish local government, the college, ”Skolen i Hammer Bakker”, changed ownership becoming a selvgoverning institution under the auspices of the Danish state. To mark the occasion and to signify the beginning af a new epoch, the name of the col- lege was changed to ”SOSU Nord”, this being an acronym for the Danish phrase social (social) and health (sundhed) and north (nord), exemplifying both the college’s purpose and geographical location.

Values and aims

We aspire to create an open and creative environment, characterized by cooperation and flexibility. We also aspire to promote values such as respect, reliability, trust, open- ness, participation, responsibility, tolerance, regard for differences, individuality and a high level of information and communication.

Our aim is to ensure that people are trained to work in and develop the social and health sector and the educator sector. We want to create a highly qualitative training environment, where the students can acquire a highly vocational level of competences, matching the different training programmes.

We also want to be a dynamic and enterprising workplace, closely interacting with our surroundings. Beyond that, we aspire to be an inspiring, attractive and health-consci- ous place of work, focusing on development of both pupils and staff.

SOSU Nord SOSU Nord 4 5 Teaching

The basic teaching is based on problem- based learning (PBL). In this way the theoretical content of the training is acquired by working with interdisciplinary ways of presenting a problem, which is closely con- nected with practice. The pupils’ own questions and problems form the basis of learning. Learning be- comes an active and responsible process where former knowledge and experience are in focus. Pupils develop both personal and professional competences. The training is widely based on group work combined with class teaching. The teacher becomes an initiator and this means giving theoretical introductions and presenting pro- blem-oriented themes. The teacher also has to guide, motivate and support groups as well as individuals in the learning process.

SOSU Nord SOSU Nord 4 5

Basic Course Basic Course

The Basic Course lasts 20 weeks but can be extended to up to 60 weeks. It is also possible to participate in an observation work placement. Basic subjects:

The Basic Course can be applied for by young people under 25 years of age with either a basic school education or a need to prepare them for further training professionally, socially and personally.

Admission to the Basic Course requires Vocational subjects: 9th grade in a Danish school.

Pupils are selected for admission by a special team at the college and the team looks for the following qualifications within the applicants:

• Interest in the Basic Course and the social and health sector in general • Interest in positive co-operation with other people • Interest in further personal development • Social understanding

Pupils do not receive a salary during training, but they can apply for a student grant according to relevant Danish regulations.

Pupils have to pay around 600 Danish crowns to cover photocopies during the Basic Course. In addition to this they have to pay a smaller amount for a school study trip etc. It is possible to borrow the relevant books from the college.

SOSU Nord SOSU Nord 6 7 Educator assistant training

The training last 2 years and 3½ months and alternates between theoretical Educator assistant training periods (55 weeks) and work placements (52 weeks).

If the applicant has experience with educa- Basic subjects: tional work it is possible to be admitted to the educator assistant training programme for Danish (level C) pupils with a dispensation. This training lasts 55 weeks and does not include work place- Social studies (level C) ments. English (level E) The training gives the pupils the ability to work as educator assistant, day carer, institution helper or care aide. Vocational subjects: It also gives the ability to apply for further Educational theory training as an educator. Language, communication An educator assistant works at day insti- and psychology tutions, in after-school clubs, in sheltered accommodation for younger citizens, in youth Culture and activity clubs or in private homes. Health studies They are primarily occupied with commu- nication and cooperation, motivating and Sport & Physical Education encouraging children and young people with activities and basic educational work. Optional subjects SOSU Nord

Evaluation is a test in one vocational subject and a test in either Danish or social studies. Level of attainment marks are given for all other subjects.

Admission requires one of the following: • Completed Basic Course • 9th grade in a Danish school and at least

SOSU Nord SOSU Nord 6 7

another one-year education Pupils receive a salary during training. • 9th grade in a Danish school and at least 1 year of work experience Beyond this pupils have to pay for • Similar or other experience acquired books, other training material and for a abroad school study trip.

Pupils are selected for admission by All pupils must pass an individual a special team at the college and the final examination. The examination is team also looks for the following qualificati- oral and is based on a written project ons within the applicants: report. • Interest in the training and the social and educational sector in general • Interest in positive co-operation with other people • Interest in further personal develop- ment • Social understanding

SOSU Nord SOSU Nord 8 9

SOSU Nord SOSU Nord 8 9 Step 1 Social and health service helper

The training lasts 14 months and alternates between theoretical periods (24 weeks) and Social and health work placements (32 weeks). service helper The training gives the pupils the ability to work as social and health service helpers or to apply for social and health Basic subjects: service assistant training.

A social and health service helper works with practical and personal healthcare, elementa- ry nursing tasks and motivating and encoura- ging citizens with activities in citizens’ homes, at nursing homes, at day centres or activity centres.

SOSU Nord Vocational subjects::

Evaluation is a test in one vocational subject or a test in either Danish or Natural Sciences. Level of attainment marks are given for all other subjects.

Admission requires one of the following: • Completed Basic Course • 9th grade in a Danish school and at least another one-year education • 9th grade in a Danish school and at least 1 year of work experience • Similar or other experience acquired abroad • Interest in further personal de- Pupils are selected for admission by a velopment special team at the college and the team also • Social understanding looks for the following qualifications within the applicants: Pupils receive a salary during training. • Interest in the training and the social and health sector in general Beyond this pupils have to pay for books and other training material. • Interest in positive co-operation with other people

SOSU Nord SOSU Nord 10 11 Step 2 Social and health service assistant

The training last 1 year and 8 months and alternates between theoretical periods (32 Social and health weeks) and work placements (42 weeks). service assistant:

The training gives the pupil the ability to work Basic subjects: as a social and health service assistant or to apply for further training as nurse, midwife, social worker, occupational therapist or phy- siotherapist. A social and health service assistant works in the citizen’s home, in hospitals, within psychiatry or at day care centres, activity centres and the like.

They are primarily occupied with basic health and nursing care, cooperation with other pro- Vocational subjects: fessionals, caring for and motivating citizens with activities and coordinating as well as teaching.

SOSU Nord

Evaluation is a test in one vocational sub- ject and a test in either Danish or Natural Sciences. Level of attainment marks are given for all other subjects.

Admission requires one of the following: • Completed social and health service helper training or a similar training • Work experience or theoretical know- ledge matching social and health service helper training • Similar or other experience acquired abroad

SOSU Nord SOSU Nord 10 11

Pupils are selected for admission by a special team at the college and the team also looks for the following qualifi- cations within the applicants:

• Interest in the training and the so- cial and health sector in general • Interest in positive co-operation with other people • Interest in further personal develop- ment • Social understanding Pupils receive a salary during training.

Beyond this pupils have to pay for books and other training materials.

SOSU Nord SOSU Nord SOSU Nord Aalborg/Jammerbugt Storemosevej 19 9310 Vodskov E-mail [email protected]

SOSU Nord Hedevold 11 9800 Hjørring E-mail [email protected]

SOSU Nord Vendsyssel Kirkegade 5 9900 Frederikshavn E-mail [email protected]

SOSU Nord Aalborg/Himmerland Jellingvej 5 9230 Svenstrup E-mail [email protected]

SOSU Nord Aalborg/Himmerland Kirketoften 7 9500 E-mail [email protected]

SOSU Nord Aalborg Østre Alle 91 9000 Aalborg E-mail [email protected]

Sundhed - Omsorg - Pædagogik

SOSU Nord Tlf. 72 21 81 00 www.sosunord.dk Juni 2012