Certificate in Human Service Manager Skills - Special Purpose Award - June 2026

• Next commencement: June 22nd, 2026
• Application deadline: June 8th, 2026

This Level 6 Special Purpose Award (20 ECTS credits), which satisfies the management qualification requirements set out in the HIQA Standards, will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of both the challenges and opportunities that exist in the management of frontline services and of supports within today’s Human Service Organisation.

The programme aims to provide participants with broad, foundational management knowledge, skills and competencies as they relate to today’s changing Human Service Sector. It consists of two modules validated at Level 6 on the NFQ:

1. Key Management Skills (KMS) – 10 ECTS credits
2. Managing Service Quality & Safeguarding (MSQS) - 10 ECTS credits

Each module is assessed by way of Continuous Assessment and contributes 50% to overall assessment results.

Course Objectives:

The objectives of the Certificate in Human Service Manager Skills are:

• to facilitate the student in acquiring knowledge of management theories and skills and their associated application in the areas of management.
• The overall programme will facilitate the student to consider their role and to gain an understanding of the theoretical and practical implications of being a manager in today’s human service organisation.
• The student will also consider a number of approaches to relationships building, managing group development and dynamics. The student will learn about the subject of motivation as well as the causes of conflict and managing same effectively.  Practical skills such as team building and rostering will be learned including those legislative aspects that inform practice.
• The student will study the subject of quality and quality enhancement in order to deliver the standards designed and developed for people availing of services. Apart from contributing to people's quality of life, the learning experienced through study will assist students in developing the skills to design programmes that aim to safeguard people who may be experiencing vulnerability whether in the short, medium or long term.
• This knowledge will also contribute to the effective management of a team operating within a regulatory environment with a view to total quality management. The student will also learn of the importance of participation, collaboration and contributing effectively in a team within human service organisations.

Assessment

The course is assessed through a combination of completing two assignments which also consist of associated online activities.

It is an applied course so students must be working at least 10 hours per week in an appropriate work environment.

Promoting best practice in services is integral to the Open Training College's mission. As part of this, we place particular importance on encouraging students to apply what they are learning - as they are learning - in their professional environment. Therefore, our learning materials, workshops and assessments are practical in nature. A significant proportion of assessment marks, for example, are allocated to applying what students learn in real-world settings.