Safeguarding - Module / MSc / PgCert / PgDip
This exciting programme enables multi-agency professionals to learn in a lively and dynamic environment, to advance safeguarding knowledge and skills. The aim of this course is to bring real and positive change to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults, through developing personal, professional and organisational capacity to evaluate wide-ranging interventions in diverse contexts.
Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
- Level Postgraduate Taught
- Study mode Part Time
- Location City South
- Award Module / MSc / PgCert / PgDip
- Start date September 2021
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Nursing and Midwifery
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
Course overview
This exciting programme enables multi-agency professionals to learn in a lively and dynamic environment, to advance safeguarding knowledge and skills. The aim of this course is to bring real and positive change to the safeguarding of children, young people and adults, through developing personal, professional and organisational capacity to evaluate wide-ranging interventions in diverse contexts.
What's covered in this course?
On this course, you will gain in-depth knowledge and critical awareness of the legal, ethical, and practice issues which underpin safeguarding practice for children, young people and adults across the life-cycle. You will develop critical leadership and research skills, helping you to analyse and apply a range of safeguarding theories to protect and support people in diverse settings and contexts.
You will explore topics such as:
- The legal, ethical and professional practice issues surrounding safeguarding
- Contemporary themes and key issues within the current safeguarding agenda
- Vulnerabilities, thresholds and risk assessment within safeguarding vulnerable people
- Complex multi-agency safeguarding casework and interventions including socio-economic influences, resilience, and the complexities of working with a culturally diverse community
- Findings and learning from research, serious case reviews, rapid reviews, SARs (Safeguarding Adults Review), inquiries, reports and literature applied to theory and practice
- Theories, styles, principles and processes of leadership that impact upon safeguarding
Where will I learn?
Your lectures and seminars will be carried out at our City South Campus, located in Edgbaston – just five minutes outside Birmingham City Centre. You will have access to cutting-edge facilities and a stunning environment that will enhance your learning.
Why Choose Us?
- The first established Master’s programme in the West Midlands to equip/develop staff in multi-agency safeguarding context.
- We foster close partnership working with one of the largest community NHS Trusts and and with independent, charitable and other public sector service providers.
- The course is led by highly experienced academics and practitioners, who can help you to advance your professional goals.
- The course meets Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements to develop a multi-agency and a research-informed, skilled safeguarding workforce.
- Our graduates develop and sustain new safeguarding roles in health, education, criminal justice, and the independent sector.
- You will study in a cross-disciplinary manner, benefiting from our expertise in a range of areas - including health, education and social work.
- You will explore significant safeguarding issues identified and addressed by multi-agency experts in the region and beyond, showcasing lessons learned for best practice.
Entry Requirements
UK students
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You will need evidence of successful completion of accredited Level 6 study (Degree) or evidence of recent Level 6 study. If you have not studied to level 6 but would benefit from the course and modules you may still apply, as individual applications will be considered on a case by case basis. You may also have completed complex studies equivalent to level 6 study. You may require your manager’s support and funding evidence before enrolment onto the course. You may need 'Recognition of Prior Learning'. (RPL) is the process through which students can be admitted with credit to BCU postgraduate courses through the formal recognition of prior certificated learning (RPCL) or prior experiential learning (RPEL). Students seeking admission with prior learning based on RPCL or RPEL should contact the course lead in advance. RPL only takes place prior to entry. |
Fees & How to Apply
- UK students
- International students
Award: Module
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- 9 months
- £720 per 20 credit module
Award: MSc
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- 3 years
- £720 per 20 credit module
Award: PgCert
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- 1 year
- £720 per 20 credit module
Award: PgDip
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Part Time
- 2 years
- £720 per 20 credit module
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead.
Personal statement
Students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.
Your postgraduate personal statement is going to shine a light on your personal experience, academic success, personal skills and any other factors that will support your application for further study.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Your passion and motivations
Studying a postgraduate course usually means you want to specialise in something. So what’s driving you?
Why this course?
Show that you’ve researched the course offering. What is it about this particular course that appeals to you? Is it the lecturers? The modules? Etc.
What makes you a good postgraduate candidate?
Tutors want to know that you can handle postgraduate study, so show them how your undergraduate experiences or work life has equipped you for a more advanced level of study. Key areas to address are research and group work but this can vary depending on your chosen course.
Relevant academic or work experience
Add anything relevant that relates back to your chosen course and shows how your skills will contribute towards your learning. What extra-curricular activities have you taken part in? What awards have you won? What employment or voluntary experience do you have that has helped you develop transferable skills? How do these specifically relate to the course you are applying for?
You should also mention your future plans and how a postgraduate qualification fits in. Try to look beyond your postgraduate study – do you plan to jump straight into a specific career or follow your studies with a research degree? Lastly, use plain, professional English and, where possible, utilise the language of your chosen industry.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Course in Depth
PG Cert
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete at least 60 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.
All core modules are guaranteed to run. Optional modules will vary from year to year and the published list is indicative only.
20 credits
This module feeds into the MSc in Safeguarding programme philosophy aim of addressing key contemporary safeguarding issues.
This module aims to facilitate your advanced learning and critical appraisal of contemporary safeguarding issues, and analyse how statutory and non-statutory agencies and services can work together to safeguard adults, children and vulnerable young people. It considers current safeguarding topics which have attracted high media attention and examines different agency interventions, good practice and failings, and how this knowledge can be applied to learning lessons for the future and to current best safeguarding practice.
20 credits
This module feeds into the MSc in Safeguarding programme philosophy aim of understanding and analysing working with multi-complex safeguarding cases and the wider complexities and socio-economic factors and dynamics which impact on the safeguarding of people.
This module aims to equip you with an in-depth knowledge, understanding and critical awareness when working with complex safeguarding cases. It aims to stretch your thinking and analysis of safeguarding practice beyond your knowledge of basic ‘recognition and referral’ in safeguarding work.
20 credits
This module feeds into the MSc Safeguarding programme philosophy aim of examining the wider complexities and socio-economic factors and dynamics which impact on the safeguarding of people and accumulative risks.
This module is designed to help you become a knowledgeable and skilled practitioner who is confident to carry out your specific responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable people within your role. The module examines the wider complexities and socio-economic factors and dynamics which impact on the safeguarding of adults, young people & children including accumulative risks with an emphasis on key known vulnerabilities.
20 credits
This module feeds into the MSc in Safeguarding programme philosophy aim of equipping you with an up to date, in-depth knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of the legal, ethical, and practice issues which underpin practice in both adult, young people and child safeguarding.
This module aims to facilitate your open and transparent critical appraisal of the legal, ethical and professional practice issues and frameworks surrounding the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, young people and children. It provides you with the opportunity to consider the safeguarding legalities and processes, and critically evaluate how legal and statutory interventions protect vulnerable people from harm.
PG Dip
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
20 credits
This module feeds into the MSc in Safeguarding programme philosophy aim of addressing key contemporary safeguarding issues.
This module aims to facilitate your advanced learning and critical appraisal of contemporary safeguarding issues, and analyse how statutory and non-statutory agencies and services can work together to safeguard adults, children and vulnerable young people. It considers current safeguarding topics which have attracted high media attention and examines different agency interventions, good practice and failings, and how this knowledge can be applied to learning lessons for the future and to current best safeguarding practice.
20 credits
This module feeds into the MSc in Safeguarding programme philosophy aim of understanding and analysing working with multi-complex safeguarding cases and the wider complexities and socio-economic factors and dynamics which impact on the safeguarding of people.
This module aims to equip you with an in-depth knowledge, understanding and critical awareness when working with complex safeguarding cases. It aims to stretch your thinking and analysis of safeguarding practice beyond your knowledge of basic ‘recognition and referral’ in safeguarding work.
20 credits
This module feeds into the MSc Safeguarding programme philosophy aim of examining the wider complexities and socio-economic factors and dynamics which impact on the safeguarding of people and accumulative risks.
This module is designed to help you become a knowledgeable and skilled practitioner who is confident to carry out your specific responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable people within your role. The module examines the wider complexities and socio-economic factors and dynamics which impact on the safeguarding of adults, young people & children including accumulative risks with an emphasis on key known vulnerabilities.
20 credits
This module feeds into the MSc in Safeguarding programme philosophy aim of equipping you with an up to date, in-depth knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of the legal, ethical, and practice issues which underpin practice in both adult, young people and child safeguarding.
This module aims to facilitate your open and transparent critical appraisal of the legal, ethical and professional practice issues and frameworks surrounding the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, young people and children. It provides you with the opportunity to consider the safeguarding legalities and processes, and critically evaluate how legal and statutory interventions protect vulnerable people from harm.
20 credits
This module specifically addresses the broader programme aims related to “pursuing excellence” and “practice-led, knowledge applied” through a flexible provision that encourages students to develop their research ideas, enabling those on various Health MSc programmes to satisfy their individual learning needs, whilst contributing to their area of study.
20 credits
This module explicitly addresses students’ personal and/or professional development with a view to enhancing competence for service improvement in a rapidly changing health and healthcare environment. Through a flexible provision, students are inspired to reflect critically upon their individual learning needs as well as their organisations’ practices, to appraise and apply concepts from the literature on leadership, to issues of relevance for their role, organisation and overall programme of study.
MSc
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):
20 credits
This module feeds into the MSc in Safeguarding programme philosophy aim of addressing key contemporary safeguarding issues.
This module aims to facilitate your advanced learning and critical appraisal of contemporary safeguarding issues, and analyse how statutory and non-statutory agencies and services can work together to safeguard adults, children and vulnerable young people. It considers current safeguarding topics which have attracted high media attention and examines different agency interventions, good practice and failings, and how this knowledge can be applied to learning lessons for the future and to current best safeguarding practice.
20 credits
This module feeds into the MSc in Safeguarding programme philosophy aim of understanding and analysing working with multi-complex safeguarding cases and the wider complexities and socio-economic factors and dynamics which impact on the safeguarding of people.
This module aims to equip you with an in-depth knowledge, understanding and critical awareness when working with complex safeguarding cases. It aims to stretch your thinking and analysis of safeguarding practice beyond your knowledge of basic ‘recognition and referral’ in safeguarding work.
20 credits
This module feeds into the MSc Safeguarding programme philosophy aim of examining the wider complexities and socio-economic factors and dynamics which impact on the safeguarding of people and accumulative risks.
This module is designed to help you become a knowledgeable and skilled practitioner who is confident to carry out your specific responsibilities for safeguarding vulnerable people within your role. The module examines the wider complexities and socio-economic factors and dynamics which impact on the safeguarding of adults, young people & children including accumulative risks with an emphasis on key known vulnerabilities.
20 credits
This module feeds into the MSc in Safeguarding programme philosophy aim of equipping you with an up to date, in-depth knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of the legal, ethical, and practice issues which underpin practice in both adult, young people and child safeguarding.
This module aims to facilitate your open and transparent critical appraisal of the legal, ethical and professional practice issues and frameworks surrounding the safeguarding of vulnerable adults, young people and children. It provides you with the opportunity to consider the safeguarding legalities and processes, and critically evaluate how legal and statutory interventions protect vulnerable people from harm.
20 credits
This module specifically addresses the broader programme aims related to “pursuing excellence” and “practice-led, knowledge applied” through a flexible provision that encourages students to develop their research ideas, enabling those on various Health MSc programmes to satisfy their individual learning needs, whilst contributing to their area of study.
20 credits
This module explicitly addresses students’ personal and/or professional development with a view to enhancing competence for service improvement in a rapidly changing health and healthcare environment. Through a flexible provision, students are inspired to reflect critically upon their individual learning needs as well as their organisations’ practices, to appraise and apply concepts from the literature on leadership, to issues of relevance for their role, organisation and overall programme of study.
60 credits
This triple module forms the final bridge between the award of a Postgraduate Diploma and a Health MSc related to a named award. It provides the student with the opportunity to complete a piece of work around a chosen topic in order to demonstrate competence in the planning, execution, analysis and evaluation of a Research Project, a Systematic Review or Project Management. It involves 600 hours of study. The focus is on facilitating the student's independent, critical study in their academic discipline or area of professional practice. It will also serve those who wish to embark on Doctoral studies in the future.
Course aims
This course is designed for multi-disciplinary professionals from social care, health, police, education, voluntary and charitable organisations, private hospitals and other organisations with an interest in safeguarding children, young people and adults.
Safeguarding is a rapidly changing and multi-complex area of practice which attracts continual media interest and attention. It is underpinned by a plethora of legislation and guidance which can often leave professionals both bewildered and overwhelmed and is one of the main focus areas for the inspection of services and organisations. This programme aims to equip you with an up to date, in-depth knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of the legal, ethical, and practice issues which underpin practice in both adult, young people and child safeguarding, while critically analysing the wider safeguarding agendas with an emphasis on applying theory and learning in order to enhance professional practice.
The course aims to combine learning in adult, young people and child safeguarding in each of the modules in order for practitioners to understand the intricate links between the vulnerabilities and outcomes of all people who require safeguarding interventions.
It aims to:
- Equip you with critical insight and understanding of key legal, ethical and professional issues which underpin safeguarding practice when working with vulnerable people.
- Bring multi-disciplinary practitioners together to acquire and share in-depth learning, knowledge and critical awareness of contemporary safeguarding issues which attract high levels of media attention and apply learning from research, reports and enquiries to practice.
- Facilitate joint learning and appraisal of how agencies can work together to meet the needs of multi-complex vulnerable people across differing cultures and diversities.
- Build on knowledge and critique the complex multi-faceted aspects of vulnerability in order to risk assess, and apply best practice in safeguarding vulnerable people.
- Develop and apply key learning from research, literature, reports, enquiries and serious case reviews and apply critical knowledge to practice areas.
- Enable analysis of, and critically apply sound leadership and research skills in safeguarding with an over-riding emphasis on multi-disciplinary learning and working.
Assessment breakdown
The modules are assessed via non-invigilated written assignments and invigilated assessments.
Employability
Enhancing your employability
This programme would meet CPD requirements for many staff across all agencies and contribute to a better informed workforce and ‘fill a gap’ in the adult educational market.
The programme fosters inter-agency working – a key safeguarding priority as well as giving students a formal qualification in Safeguarding, enabling them to demonstrate an ability to study safeguarding at Masters level.
This course will contribute to your employability for roles with an emphasis on safeguarding, for example lead roles for safeguarding within organisations as well as meeting CPD requirements for staff.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Facilities and Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and are currently in the process of spending £340 million on new learning facilities.
We boast up-to-date, innovative facilities that simulate the real situations that medical staff may come across.
These resources are essential in offering students a hands-on introduction to health and social care practice. Much of our teaching is carried out within our state-of-the-art, £30m Seacole Building, which houses cutting-edge facilities.
Take a virtual tour of our skills suites at Seacole
In a sector where new techniques are constantly being discovered, we work hard to ensure that students learn using the most up-to-date equipment available. These include the only mock operating theatre in an English university and a cutting-edge radiography virtual clinical training facility, virtual ward and virtual case creator.
Virtual Case Creator
For pre-registration nurses and midwives, Virtual Case Creator software contains a range of scenarios to let you experience birthing situations and decide on appropriate interventions in a safe environment.
Hospital Ward
Our mock wards enable you to get a feel of what a ward is really like before you head out for your first placement. They contain ‘Sim Men’, which are demonstration dummies that develop ailments, allowing you to treat them as you would a real patient and build your confidence in reacting to the changing needs of patients.
The Hospital Ward can be adapted from a low care to high dependency care environment with the necessary monitoring equipment.
Part of the package is our SIM baby, SIM man and Mega code kid. There are also nursing manikins for fundamental skills teaching and various equipment to support essential skills teaching, such as blood pressure monitoring venepuncture and cannulation equipment.
Skills Practice and Care Enhancement facility
The SPACE (Skills Practice And Care Enhancement) learning facility lets you further practice the skills taught in class, at your own pace and convenience.
It is fully stocked with the specialist items and equipment needed for procedures such as taking blood pressure, giving an injection, abdominal examination of a pregnant woman and caring for ill babies in an incubator.
Biomedical Laboratories
We have recently installed new laboratory facilities to help you explore understand the scientific principles underpinning many of our courses. The physiology laboratory is equipped to help you learn about the way the human body works by performing investigative experiments. The biomedical science laboratory is undergoing an upgrade over the summer and will allow you to learn about anatomy, cellular processes, immunology and enzymology in a hands-on way that links directly to day-to-day health care.
Simulation Manikins
We have several Simulation men (SIM men) and Simulation babies (SIM babies) which are leading edge, anatomically correct manikins used for teaching specific techniques such as advanced adult and paediatric life support skills, acute and high dependency clinical skills, first aid and communication skills.
The SIM men and SIM baby manikins are complete with software, which is used to replicate real symptoms, and are enhanced by the manipulation of for example blood pressure, pulse and heart rate for extra realism. SIM Man can also “talk” to the students which adds another dimension to their use in teaching clinical skills and in simulation exercises.
Mary Seacole Library
The Seacole library, based at City South Campus, is one of the UK's largest specialist health education libraries. The state-of-the art facility offers an extensive range of range of information and reference materials set out in a relaxing environment, conducive to studying. There are comfortable seating areas, group study areas, a silent study area and private study rooms.
The Seacole building houses a large open access IT Suite which comprises of 96 PCs, full colour printers, photocopiers and scanners. Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
The IT Suite offers extended opening hours and is supported by a specialist Open Access Assistant during term time. In addition to the open access PCs within the IT Suite, there are 12 networked student PCs available within Seacole library.
Our staff
Dr Maria Clark
Senior Lecturer in Safeguarding
Maria is a Senior Lecturer in Post-Qualifying Practice (Safeguarding) and Course Lead for the PGCert/PGDip/MSc Safeguarding. Maria’s teaching and research is mainly concerned with developing sustainable approaches to good health across the life-course, especially for diverse and minority populations.An experienced public health nurse/health visitor, midwife and nurse by background, her work focuses on health promotion and abuse prevention in multi-agency contexts.
More about Maria