In 1993, having completed research into the training needs of social care workers, the National University of Ireland, Galway initiated the first Certificate in Social Care course. The Certificate course provides training in a number of practical caring skills as well as providing students with a general introduction to the field of health studies. A complete range of distance education materials has been developed. These materials, which provide a high level of direction, make it possible for students to study in their own home or workplace. An Irish version is provided for use in Gaeltacht areas.
Students receive interactive materials for home study for the six course modules.
A workshop at a local venue is also provided for each module. Students are additionally required to attend four seminars on specific care settings. Supervised work placements are organised for students to provide them with insights into social care settings in which they do not already have experience. It is targeted at both paid social care workers as well as family carers in the home. The broad range of social care workers who have completed the course to date has included home helps, home help organisers, home care assistants, house parents, nurses' aides and other workers employed in the general area of health and social services.