Postgraduate Certificate Child Protection and Safeguarding

Summary 2012/13

• Develop as an innovative leader in the field of child protection and the safeguarding of children and young people;
• Significantly enhance your skills in leadership and supervision;
• Expand your knowledge and skills relating to children’s needs, relevant legislation and policy, and the protection of vulnerable children and young people.

"The need to develop a workforce for the future, which is responsive to all of the needs of children with skills and knowledge to intervene when significant harm poses a risk, requires strong strategic leadership" (Department of Health, 2003).

This Postgraduate Certificate in Child Protection and Safeguarding focuses on the promotion of in-depth knowledge and systematic understanding in child protection and safeguarding interventions.

2012 Entry Requirements

The normal minimum requirement is a lower second-class honours degree in a health or social care related subject. The focus for the programme is to link theory to practice; you are expected to be working in an environment that allows you to meet the learning outcomes of the course. All students applying for the programme will be offered an academic interview prior to commencement of the programme.

Details

Who is this course for?

This programme is ideal for practitioners working in education, health and social care services who have a shared responsibility and accountability in child protection and safeguarding vulnerable children and young people.

What will I gain from this programme?

This programme will equip you with an in-depth knowledge and systematic understanding of child protection and safeguarding interventions. Additionally, it will enable you to critically reflect on your practice, more specifically enabling the development of:

• Intellectual and professional independence commensurate with postgraduate study;
• Translating policy, legislation and guidance into day-to-day practice on the frontline of everyday services;
• Skills of supervision and leadership to those working in the front line delivery of services;
• Problem solving skills in diverse situations relating to your own practice.

How we will support you

We will offer teaching and learning support throughout the programme. You will have access to individual tutorials, online support and Learning Services. We have a wealth of experience supporting students and are proud of our equality and diversity portfolio.

There is a named Programme Leader who will support your progression and provide academic advice to assist your personal development plan. In addition each Module Leader will provide support regarding their module and there will also be a dedicated Pathway Administrator to assist individual needs.

What will I study?

The subject areas covered by this programme include:

• Child protection policy, the legal process and enhancing practice development;
• Collaboration, communication, and partnership working, across organisational and professional boundaries;
• Fostering a positive and innovative change in culture, leading to championing children in order to protect their well-being;
• Models of strategic leadership, leadership styles and different approaches to leadership.

How will I study?

You will have opportunities to critically reflect on theoretical perspectives and actively construct your knowledge through discussion, seminars, debates, reflection and group work. This will help you not only to develop analytical and presentation skills but also deepen understanding of your role and experiences, team working, analytical, cognitive and collaborative skills.

The importance of reflection as a fundamental part of the learning process and reflective practice can be seen as a process of developing your expertise in problem solving, decision-making and critical thinking in complex, dynamic environments. You will be encouraged to reach a deep level of critical reflection, developing new insights through deconstruction and reconstruction of the experience.

The attendance is daytime, approximately three hours per module, however some sessions may be full day running alternative weeks.

Who will be teaching me?

Edge Hill University enjoys an excellent reputation for teaching quality and members of the teaching team publish in international journals and present at national and international conferences.

The teaching team mainly comprises staff from the Faculty of Health and Social Care alongside staff from the Evidence based Practice Research Centre. In addition guest speakers who are executive/senior professionals within health and social care will provide you with opportunities to learn from their experience.

How will I be assessed?

A variety of assessment strategies will be utilised, including essays, presentations, a reflective seminar presentation, critical written appraisal and report writing.

What are my career prospects?

This PGCert will meet the needs of the changing children’s workforce highlighted by the UK government. It will appeal to those working in schools, social services and health care settings who are facing new challenges.

After completion of this course, you can continue study by joining the MSc in Integrated Children and Young People’s Practice at Edge Hill University.

Further study at Edge Hill University

MSc Integrated Children and Young People’s Practice

A Great Study Environment

The Faculty of Health and Social Care is one of the main providers of education for health care professionals in Merseyside and the North West, with approximately 4,000 trained and educated at Edge Hill University every year.

The £14 million purpose-built accommodation at the Ormskirk Campus houses some of the best facilities in the country. Our learning resources are second to none, with leading edge clinical skills facilities including ward simulations with industry standard equipment.

The Faculty has been commended by the QAA for the quality of teaching and learning, student progression and learning resources.

Learning resources include over 23,000 books, journals and electronic resources, with access also available to facilities at several NHS study centres. The Faculty of Health and Social Care building includes ten teaching rooms, an 860-seat lecture theatre, social learning spaces and four rooms recreating hospital environments for practicing clinical skills.

How do I apply?

Apply directly to Edge Hill University. Download the Health Professional Development pathway application form and notes for guidance (pdf).

Fees and Finance

Tuition fees for this programme are £560 per 20 credit module for academic year 2012/13.

Edge Hill graduates joining an eligible postgraduate programme at the University in academic year 2012/13 could benefit from a 20% reduction in tuition fees. If you're a UK or EU student and will be paying the fees yourself, you might be eligible to receive this discount. See www.edgehill.ac.uk/reducedfees for more information.

Not got the entry requirements?

If you do not have an honours degree you must demonstrate the following knowledge and skills at a level equivalent to that of degree study prior to commencing the programme:

• Comprehensive knowledge of the discipline and an in-depth awareness of current issues relating to either a health or social care setting;
• Critical analysis skills and an ability to evaluate evidence drawn from the area of work or previous academic study;
• Ability to learn in a flexible manner, utilising autonomy and self direction.

Please contact the programme leader to discuss your options.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact:

• Kathy Richardson, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 657078
• Email address: richardk@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

HEA 4015 Protection of Children and Young People provides you with the opportunity to evaluate child protection policy and the legal process and seeks to develop skills and knowledge in enhancing practice development. You will critically analyse government policy and the law in relation to protecting children, evaluating evidence, with a particular emphasis being placed on collaboration, communication, and partnership working, across organisational and professional boundaries. You will develop knowledge and critical analytical skills, applying them to practice, fostering a positive and innovative change in culture, leading to championing children in order to protect their well-being.

HEA 4036 Practice Supervision in Child Protection will introduce you to a model of supervision applicable to your practice area. You will develop critical reflective skills based on your experience and in turn utilise the reflection to inform practice. In addition, skills associated with report writing, documentation and developing strategic developments will be the outcome of effective supervision.

HEA 9063 Strategic Leadership. Current policy initiatives within children and young people’s services focus on developing leaders for the future effectiveness of services provided for children and young people. This module allows you to critically examine models of strategic leadership, leadership styles and different approaches to leadership.

HEA 9066 Families in Crisis recognises the emphasis being placed on the need for Children’s Services to be regarded as a priority with highly skilled and experienced practitioners for those children, young people and their families who are deemed to be vulnerable. You will engage in conceptual analysis and critical reflection, expanding your knowledge through research. The module will further enable you to tackle complex issues, enhance your leadership skills and equip you with the knowledge and competence to make appropriate and effective decisions, based upon need, in order to provide effective support.