Aims and Learning Outcomes
The aim of this distance learning module is to gain a thorough understanding of change and transition on a personal and professional level, and the ways this understanding can be applied to life planning. This module is a core module for the Postgraduate Certificate in Life Planning.
The module will interrogate the use of problem-solving and decision making during the life course. The theoretical models and their relationship to the practice of pre-retirement planning will be illustrated and analysed.
By the end of the module students will be able to:
- identify a number of models for use in pre-retirement education
- recognise the meaning and management of change and apply these theories to mid-life planning (MLP), early retirement, redundancy and pre-retirement education (PRE)
- identify and describe the nature of work exit and in particular MLP, early retirement, redundancy and PRE
- be aware of some theories relating to MLP, early retirement, redundancy and PRE
- develop a curriculum for MLP, early retirement, redundancy and PRE
- identify and evaluate issues relating to gender, ethnic group and social class in PRE and life planning
- identify the case for and develop provision for women’s PRE
- identify the case for and develop provision for black and minority ethnic groups
- identify the case for and develop life planning provision for people retiring in disadvantage, e.g. poverty
- be aware of the contemporary debate regarding change and transition during the adult lifespan
- be aware of the main elements which affect transitions
Programme of Study / Course Content
This module is composed of three units:
Unit 1 - Managing Change and Transition during the Adult Lifespan
In this part of the programme a number of models will be considered: Health Action Model, Coping with Change, Stages of Change model, Managing Change Approach, Life Course Cylinder, Hierarchy of Needs, Change Management Equations and Heron’s Six Points.
Unit 2 - Application of theories to MLP, Early Retirement, Redundancy and PRE
A review of personal life changes. This unit is concerned with the particular features of later life changes, and their similarities and differences. Specific theories will be explored which are relevant to the transition around mid-life, early retirement, redundancy and pre-retirement. From this study the needs of people in mid-life, early retirement, redundancy and pre-retirement will be identified and outline programmes developed.
The third part of the unit is building towards the development of curricular or learning programmes for people’s needs.
Unit 3 - Managing Diversity
This unit will consider the multi-faceted issues of equal opportunities and how they relate to life planning.
- Inequality during the life course
- Attitudes towards inequality
- Pre-retirement education for women
- Life planning and disadvantages
