QQI HET: Cert in Human Service Manager Skills – SP Level 6

GENERAL INFORMATION

COURSE CODE

PG00253

LOCATION

Online/Marino Institute of Education

AWARD

Certificate in Human Service Manager Skills

APPLY BY

12-01-2026

AWARD TYPE / LEVEL

QQI HET Special Purpose / 6

START DATE

19-01-2026 (see Group 1 schedule below)

AUDIENCE

Students must be working in a human service environment for at least 10 hours per week as a team member/manager/PIC/PPIM.

FIRST WORKSHOP DATE / TIME

26-01-2026 / 9.30am - 4.00pm

CREDITS

20

2ND ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION

13-04-2026

FORMAT / DURATION

Blended / 11 weeks' learning

FEES

€645 Note: Discounted Fee of €499pp for Groups of 10 or more

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR

The Certificate in Human Service Manager Skills Special Purpose Award at Level 6 meets the management qualification requirement for managers set out in the HIQA Standards.

Students must be working in a human service environment for at least 10 hours per week as a team member/manager/PIC/PPIM. This is vital to the applied nature of the programme. Students come to the College with significant life and work experience. This enables learners to gain insights from their workplace and life experiences while applying theory into everyday practice.

WHY TAKE THIS COURSE

Please note: The course satisfies the minimum management qualification requirements for managers/PICS/PPIMs set out in the HIQA Standards.

This Level 6 Special Purpose Award (20 ECTS credits) 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.

Lauren Bacon, Programme Director of the College's Social Care Management courses, explains the benefits of taking this course (right):

COURSE CONTENT

The Certificate in Human Service Manager Skills consists of two modules:

1. Key Management Skills (KMS) - 10 ECTS Credits

key issues in managing staff
productive ways to manage the relationship with their manager
the characteristics of team group development and group dynamics
managing for increased motivation to improve performance, including Supervision
common causes of conflict in human services
strategies for dealing with conflict
employment legislative background and approaches to the design of a staff roster

2. Managing Service Quality and Safeguarding (MSQ) - 10 ECTS Credits

quality and how service quality relates to customer expectations in human services
differentiation between a quality service and a quality system
key elements of a quality system
key factors involved in implementing a quality system in a human service.
the role of the frontline manager in creating a safeguarding culture
how safeguarding contributes to quality service provision
key areas where today’s human service manager should audit to ensure quality service delivery

View the upcoming course schedules below:

HSMS Course Schedule Group 2026 Group 1 (provisional Jan - April 2026)

HSMS Course Schedule Group 2026 Group 2 (provisional March - May 2026)

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Assessment

The course is assessed through a combination of completing two assignments which also consist of associated online activities.
Each module is assessed by way of Continuous Assessment and contributes 50% to overall assessment results.
It is an applied course so students must be working at least 10 hours per week in an appropriate work environment.
A significant proportion of assessment marks are allocated to the student's application of what they learn in a real-world setting.

WHAT SUPPORTS ARE PROVIDED

What supports are provided on this course?

We Are All Part of a Learning Community

Dedicated tutor throughout
Online international award winning learning resources developed for online learning
Access to learning technologies such as a virtual environment
Tools to support virtual learning and off campus learning
Online activities to support assessment
Face to face lectures, seminars, tutorials
Assessment submitted, marked and returned to learners with feedback through electronic or other media
Supervised practice placement

For more information on our unique and award winning learner supports, click on the Link below:

OTC Supported Open Learning (SOL) Model

Supports for Students with a Disability/Specific Learning Difficulty

Students with specific learning support requirements because of a disability or medical condition will be provided with accommodations to support them through their studies. This may include a Learner Support Plan agreed with the student and the College. Please note that in order to avail of these supports, verification of support requirements by an educational/health professional is needed.

Student Support Service

Supported Open Learning Model

OTC Student Support Services

HOW THE COURSE WILL IMPACT YOUR CAREER

The skills acquired have been used by graduates to:

support their promotion within their organisations (57% of OTC Graduates said they moved to a more senior role within one year of completion*)
to seek management opportunities within and beyond where they work
to satisfy the regulatory requirements of HIQA for a formal management qualification

*OTC Graduate Destinations Survey 2022.

OTC Alumni Testimonials

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Qualification

Participants who have successfully completed the two components will obtain a QQI HET:

Certificate in Human Service Manager Skills Special Purpose Award (PG00253)

What to study next?

Coming soon: Two new follow-on micro-credential courses to be launched in the coming weeks:

Certificate in Human Service Compliance Management*
Certificate in Human Service Staff and Resource Management*

* Subject to validation

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To apply you must:
• be either 23 years of age when you apply; OR
• have successfully completed a Leaving Certificate/QQI/FETAC Level 5 Certificate
• be working in a human service environment for at least 10 hours per week as team member/manager/PIC/PPIM.

International applicants must provide appropriate documentary evidence of proficiency in English (i.e. IELTS 6.0)

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for this course are accepted through our Online Application Centre.

To apply for the course, you will need to:

Satisfy the entry requirements for the programme
Provide documents to support your application

Supporting Documents and Forms to Download

Proof of Identity

Educational Transcripts

These are copies of previous educational achievements that confirm you satisfy the course entry requirements. They could, for example, include a copy of your Leaving Certificate or a scan of a Level 5 certificate.

It is particularly important that applicants wishing to transfer from another course, or be considered for Advanced Entry, provide a transcript confirming they have completed a relevant accredited Level 6 course within the last 10 years.

Employment Validation

Personal Statement

Volunteer Form

International Applicants

Click on the link below to download a handy Application Checklist:

Application Checklist

Start Making your Application

Click this link and choose the 'Apply Online' black button.
Then choose the CPD courses area option from the first drop down option.
You can then choose the ‘Human Services Manager Skills cert – January 19^th 2026 – now enrolling’ course from the second drop down menu option.

Application Link

HOW CAN WE HELP?

Contact us if you want to know more about the course using the form below:

Contact us:

Call: (+353) 86 0756580 (Hours 9am-5pm please)
Mail: info@opentrainingcollege.com