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FdA Alcohol and Substance Misuse Work

Marketing Title
Level 5
Full-Time
AHSCHF505 (2023/2025)
11/09/2023
Format
27/06/2025
Format
Accrington & Rossendale College - Accrington & Rossendale College, Broad Oak Campus, Broad Oak Road, Accrington, BB5 2AS
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Course Information

Course Information
The FdA Alcohol and Substance Misuse Work is tailored for individuals driven to make a meaningful impact in the fields of addiction support, health, and social care. This programme deepens your understanding of substance misuse through a critical lens, exploring the social, health, welfare, and legal policy frameworks that underpin practice.

Designed with input from employers and sector partners, the course ensures your learning is highly relevant to emerging professional needs. You will develop practical skills and theoretical insight through work-integrated study—allowing you to engage directly with real-world challenges in substance misuse support and intervention.

By integrating rigorous academic learning with applied practice, this degree prepares you for meaningful progression in roles such as substance misuse support worker, or prepares the ground for further study in areas like social work, counselling, or public health.
YEAR 1
• Professional Practice and Personal Development Planning
• Sociology of Health
• Concepts and Models of Addiction
• Introduction to Research
• Drug and Alcohol Strategy and Legislation
• Care Assessment and Planning

YEAR 2
• Prevention
• Community Involvement and Engagement
• Treatment and Recovery
• Independent Research Project
• Advanced Professional Practice and Personal Development Planning
• Harm Reduction
Teaching combines lectures, seminars, workshops, and case study analysis with independent study, creating a balance of academic learning and practical skill development. You will explore the frameworks, policies, and interventions that shape responses to substance misuse, while applying these ideas through work-related learning.

Practical workshops and group discussions provide opportunities to test approaches and share insights with peers, while tutorials offer personalised guidance to support your academic and professional growth. A key feature of delivery is the integration of work-based experience, where you are encouraged to reflect on your practice or voluntary role to connect theory directly to real-world contexts.

Blended learning, including access to digital resources and guided independent tasks, further develops your critical thinking, professional behaviours, and confidence as a practitioner.
Candidates are selected on the basis of their ability to cope with and benefit from the programme. Their suitability can be demonstrated either through previous educational achievement or experience and aptitude.
Admission by prior qualification will normally require a minimum of 96 UCAS Tariff points. Typically, points can be derived from:
• One GCE A level or Vocational A level pass or equivalent
• Two AS level passes
• BTEC National Diploma/ Certificate
• Other qualifications such as Scottish Highers, Welsh Baccalaureate, Irish Leaving Certificates,
• International Baccalaureate, with the required UCAS points
• A pass in a recognised Access course
• Equivalent Scottish or Irish qualifications
Admission by experience and aptitude will be based on the length and type of the candidate’s employment experiences and their ability to demonstrate an aptitude and enthusiasm for the subject. As part of this process, candidates may be required to undertake aptitude tests and/or provide personal and/or employment references.
Candidates whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate English Language competence equivalent to IELTS 5.5 or higher.
Essays and written assignments – analysing theories, policies, and approaches to substance misuse.

Reports and case studies – applying knowledge to real-world service delivery and client support.

Practical projects and portfolios – evidencing skills, reflection, and workplace application.

Presentations and seminar contributions – developing communication and professional confidence.

Work-based learning assessments – linking academic study to practice in health and social care settings.
Outstanding Support – Benefit from one-to-one academic guidance, wellbeing services, and tailored careers advice throughout your studies.

Strong University Partnership – This degree is validated by the University of Cumbria.

Specialist Facilities – Access purpose-built learning environments including counselling pods, a VR suite, and a dedicated University Centre.

Proven Success – Students achieve some of the highest satisfaction and progression rates in the region, moving into employment or postgraduate study.

Financial and Practical Help – From bursaries and equipment loans to free breakfast and gym access, we provide wide-ranging support to help you succeed.
Graduates of the FdA Alcohol and Substance Misuse Work are well-prepared to progress into roles across health, social care, and community services. Career opportunities include work in drug rehabilitation centres, detoxification services, outreach and harm reduction programmes, and residential or community care settings. Typical job roles may include Substance Misuse Worker, Recovery Coordinator, Support Worker, or Community Engagement Officer.

This qualification also enhances promotion prospects for those already working in the sector, equipping you with the professional skills and knowledge employers value.

For further study, the Foundation Degree provides a clear progression route to the BA (Hons) Health and Applied Social Studies (Top-Up) at Accrington and Rossendale College, with the option to progress to postgraduate training in specialist areas such as social work, counselling, or public health.
As an FdA Alcohol and Substance Misuse Work student, you will study within our dedicated University Centre, designed to support higher-level learning with modern classrooms, IT suites, and collaborative study areas. The Learning Resource Centre provides access to a wide range of academic texts, journals, and specialist health and social care databases, with expert staff available to support your research and assignments.

You will also benefit from quiet study areas, group work spaces, and access to digital learning tools that reflect professional practice. Alongside academic resources, tailored wellbeing and academic support services are in place to help you achieve your goals and succeed in both your studies and future career.
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