Intellectual Disability Support Programs Level 5 or Level 6
Empower your team with accredited QQI training in Intellectual Disability Support. Our blended Level 5 and Level 6 programs are tailored for decision-makers in social care (e.g. St. Hilda’s, Enable Ireland, Praxis Care, HSE) who want a qualified workforce equipped for today’s standards. These accredited courses (codes 5M1761, 5M4339, 6M4978) ensure staff develop person-centred skills, leadership abilities, and compliance knowledge – all aligned with national disability strategy and human rights frameworksforustraining.iehse.ie.
Core QQI Programmes
QQI Level 5 Intellectual Disability Practice (5M1761) – Major Award
This 120-credit Level 5 program is designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed for high-quality disability support forustraining.ie. Learners master topics such as Intellectual Disability Studies, Community Inclusion, Empowering the Individual, Challenging Behaviour and Communication. On completion, graduates can work independently or under supervision to apply best practices that help individuals with intellectual disabilities “reach their potential and live the lives of their choice”. The curriculum is strongly person-centered, emphasizing choice, empowerment and community inclusion – directly supporting the HSE’s vision of individualized, outcome-focused supports that let people “live a life of their choosing”.
QQI Level 5 Healthcare Support – Intellectual Disability Stream (5M4339) – Major Award
This 120-credit Level 5 major award prepares healthcare assistants for disability services. It combines core care skills (e.g. personal care, mobility support, nutrition) with psychosocial skills (Care Support, Communications, Safe Work Practices) to ensure learners can provide safe, person-centred, high-quality care in line with best practices forustraining.ie. Graduates are qualified to work in nursing homes, day services, community groups and home support. The course content – including mandatory modules like Care Skills and Care Support – aligns with professional standards and regulatory expectations, ensuring staff can meet national quality standards (HIQA) and deliver compassionate, rights-based support.
QQI Level 6 Health Services Supervisory Management Skills – Social Care Stream (6M4978) – Advanced Certificate
The Level 6 Health Services Supervisory Management Skills award (Social Care Stream) is a 120-credit program that builds leadership and supervisory capacity within social care settings forustraining.ie. It covers conflict management and supervisory management (mandatory modules) plus advanced electives in Communication and Leadership. Graduates learn to manage teams effectively in community disability services, handle multi-disciplinary challenges, and maintain compliance with healthcare regulations. This program suits those moving into Team Leader/Supervisor roles or seeking further study – providing a clear career progression pipeline from Level 5 to managerial levels forustraining.ie.
Quality, Compliance and Human Rights Alignment
All Forus Training programs incorporate the latest standards and policies in disability services. Our curriculum reflects a rights-based, person-centred approach demanded by Irish disability policy. For example, the HSE’s New Directions framework calls for “individualised outcome-focused supports” so that people with disabilities can live according to their own wishes and aspirations. Our courses train staff in these principles – emphasis on independence, personal choice and community integration. Likewise, we align with HIQA’s regulatory standards, ensuring learners gain the competencies needed to maintain a safe and high-quality care environment. In fact, Irish policies now require frontline disability support staff to hold at least a Level 5 qualification; our Level 5 awards directly address that mandate.
These programs also support Ireland’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Having ratified the UNCRPD in 2018, Ireland emphasises equal human rights and access to high-quality services. Our training embeds UNCRPD principles (choice, dignity, equality) into everyday practice. Instructors model a human-rights focus, and course projects involve person-centred planning exercises mirroring UNCRPD goals.
“Forus Training’s QQI courses helped our staff think differently about care. They now focus on each person’s goals and rights – exactly what New Directions and the UNCRPD require,” says a disability service manager (Enable Ireland).
Flexible Learning & Organisational Benefits
- Blended Delivery: Flexible options (online, blended or classroom) let employees learn around shift patterns and service needs. Our LMS and tutorials ensure continuous support.
- Improved Care Quality: Trained staff deliver more person-centred, competent care, boosting service user satisfaction and meeting HIQA’s quality standards. A stronger skill-set also reduces incidents and improves outcome metrics.
- Staff Development Pipeline: These programs create a clear career path – from entry-level support to supervisory roles – helping organisations retain talent. Investing in staff skills enhances morale and positions the organisation as an employer of choice.
- Compliance Advantage: Having accredited QQI qualifications on-site makes audit preparation simpler. You demonstrate regulatory compliance (HIQA, ND, Health Act, etc.) and evidence of ongoing staff development.
Meet Our Experts and Resources
Our faculty are experienced professionals and educators in the disability sector. Emma has 20 years of experience in Social and Community care and Education. She excels in training and program development. Holding degrees in Social Studies and Digital Media she’s a skilled assessor and verifier for QQI Levels 3 to 6.
We offer ongoing support: technical assistance for online learning, study skills workshops, and dedicated tutors for feedback.
Why do learners choose Forus Training?
- Learners receive a QQI Certificate upon successfully completing this module.
- Our Programme Leader recommends choosing the blended option, which encourages group-based learning.
- Students trust Forus Training, with over 1000 Google Reviews averaging a 4.9-Star Rating . Search us in Google to find out what people are saying about our courses.
