This masters programme in Advanced Child Protection Studies is designed to develop students’ specialist knowledge within the field of child protection and safeguarding. It will interest those who are currently employed, involved, or interested in the field, whether in a leadership, practice, or support role.
It is taught by experienced practitioners and experts in the field and provides students with the opportunity to focus on specific areas of interest. There are four 30-credit modules over two years (two each year) and a dissertation in year three to achieve the MSc.
This child protection masters course is an online and distance learning programme, which combines innovative learning and teaching techniques with interaction with the tutor and fellow students. Students are provided with the same level of teaching as received by those on campus with the additional benefit of having the flexibility to study anywhere at any time.
No specialist knowledge in technology is required, students just need to have access to the internet and know how to use it. Learning activities are structured to provide simplicity and students are supported throughout the programme.
The course will start in September and candidates will be invited to a one day event at the University to meet the tutors and other candidates as well as to be briefed on the programme.
This programme aims to equip students with advanced knowledge that will enable them to work effectively in the field of child protection, whether this is in the area of practice, management, research, or service development. The programme aims to facilitate the development of higher-level critical analysis skills, and to develop students’ capacity for knowledge-informed practice and more original thinking in relation to the complex issues that arise in the contested field of child protection.
The programme is designed to appeal to the more experienced professional already engaged in this area of activity – for example in social work, policing, law, education, nursing and health. However, those with an academic interest in the area (for example social policy, law or criminology graduates) are also encouraged to apply, subject to being able to satisfy the requirements of the various modules. If you would like further information about these requirements please contact Mark Chesterman or Matthew Gibson.
More specifically, the programme aims to help students develop:
The programme emphasises the relevance of systems thinking and emotional processes, and includes attention to international perspectives and extra-familial as well as intra-familial child protection issues. Additionally, the programme gives the opportunity to look at some of the critical debates in this area of work (for example, the tensions between medical and social models of child protection, the relationship between non-consensual adoption and child protection, and family preservation orientations in the context of child protection).
Our modules are structured to provide easily accessible learning resources, tasks, and assessments that engage you in flexible and streamlined learning. Support is provided throughout the programme directly by the tutor in group and individual sessions. Furthermore, some activities are organised to encourage peer support and develop peer learning within the cohort to enhance the learning experience. A variety of learning and teaching methods are used throughout, including:
The course particularly offers successful candidates the potential to:
Please note that the programme does not lead to a professional qualification.
Recognising the increasingly high-profile nature of child protection issues requiring an integrated multi-agency service response, our Child Protection course is for practitioners working in settings such as:
Our course will enhance your existing skills in this sector and prepare you for a more senior specialist career.
This programme has been developed in the context of contemporary policy and practice developments relating to children’s protection and well-being in Scotland.
You will have the opportunity to critically explore theoretical frameworks, research, and practice issues across professional and disciplinary boundaries in a multiagency practice environment. You will also develop a child-centred perspective in addressing the protection of children and young people.
The programme is delivered on a part-time basis over one year, and adopts a blended learning approach, utilising online learning supported by twelve study days at UWS Paisley or Lanarkshire campuses.
Our course has been developed in the context of contemporary policy and practice developments relating to children’s protection and well-being in Scotland.
These developments will be explored thorough your study of the following three modules:
Across professional disciplinary boundaries in a multiagency practice environment, you will have the opportunity to critically explore:
You will also develop a child-centred perspective in addressing the protection of children and young people.
Teaching & Assessment
Our Postgraduate Certificate Child Protection course delivers three modules which are focussed around current policy themes and practice requirements. There will be four compulsory study days, which will consist of a mixture of lectures and seminars thus facilitating integrated multi-disciplinary approaches to child protection.
You will also participate in the use of Moodle Virtual Learning Environment where lecture material, external links to relevant websites and communication with staff and student colleagues can be accessed. Learning outcomes will be assessed by a variety of written assignments including:
Jobs
You will be equipped to take on specialist child protection roles or be promoted to senior child protection roles within your agency such as:
Further Study
Upon graduation you could continue your studies towards obtaining our MSc Vulnerability degree.
The Advanced Child Protection MA is a distance learning programme which runs on a part-time basis for two or more years and has been created for experienced professionals.
The programme gives a 360-degree perspective on child protection, introducing you to the viewpoints of academics, practitioners, organisations, parents, children and young people, integrated with contemporary research theory and policy. The impact that technology has on protecting children as well as the effect of the globalisation of the abuse and exploitation of vulnerable children is considered throughout.
The MA has attracted national and international students, all with a variety of experience in child protection. Access to this diverse pool of knowledge within an environment that allows you to question and excel makes this programme unique and rewarding.
Teaching is based on guided study using an online learning environment (Moodle), videoed expert lectures, online seminars, 'serious games', acted and filmed role play, as well as web-based weekly forums.
The Centre for Child Protection is a leader in developing and disseminating interactive simulations dealing with a range of child protection issues. The University was recently awarded the 2016 Guardian University Award for digital innovation in recognition of the ground-breaking 'Lottie' project, a tool to help children become aware of the dangers of sexual grooming.
All the work is completed online where you participate in online forums and have access to journal articles and specialist materials. After successful completion of the assignment, the module is equivalent to 20 credits at Master’s level.
During the programme you:
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take modules from other programmes so that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas that interest you.
You are also able to take modules on their own as a 10 week distance learning option. For more information, visit the website here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/sspssr/ccp/samodules/index.html
The MA Advanced Child Protection and the stand-alone modules give you the opportunity to further your career and expertise in child protection. As well as benefiting from Kent’s academic excellence, you gain insight into multi-agency relationships and responsibilities. The Centre attracts students from across social work, health, education, probation and the third sector, and widens your potential learning experience. The distance learning delivery of the Master’s programme enables you to fit learning around your life and work commitments and you have the chance to apply your knowledge as you progress. Each cohort contains a unique mix of experiences and professions, providing a valuable opportunity for information exchange and networking.
We offer inspirational teaching and supervision alongside first-class library and IT facilities. You also benefit from our high-impact research in all subjects. Whatever you are looking to study, Kent provides a dynamic and challenging environment for your postgraduate studies.
Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/why-kent/
* of 122 universities, not including specialist institutions
The LLM Intellectual Property and Data Protection Law will give you the knowledge and understanding you need to work in this area of the law. You will study two compulsory modules – Intellectual Property Law and Data Protection Law – along with two optional modules of your choice.
You will examine the development of both intellectual property law and data protection law as distinct areas of legal practice and consider their ongoing reform and development, particularly in light of continuing technological advancements.
The Intellectual Property Law module will also consider the current intellectual property framework from a national, European and international perspective, along with copyright, trademarks, patent law and design rights.
The Data Protection Law module will also include topics such as current data protection legislation, key concepts such as the notions of ‘informed consent’ and ‘personal data’, the obligations of data controllers, the rights of data subjects, and the emergence of Big Data and the Internet of Things.
Data protection and intellectual property are fast-moving sectors, particularly in view of the continual advancements in twenty-first-century technology. This course is constantly updated to reflect new developments and best practice, and is supported by the latest research and methods. The content is delivered by specialists in their field who are at the forefront of their discipline, and is designed to equip you with the vital skills you will need for a career in the area of intellectual property and data protection.
The wide range of optional modules available to you enable you to tailor your course according to the career path you plan to follow. You can also combine similar pathways, and graduate with a named joint pathway. In addition to your degree modules, you can choose from a range of extra-curricular programmes to develop your skills further.
Level 7
Core Modules
Optional
Our innovative teaching methods combine class seminars and practical work to give you every opportunity make the most of your studies. Group discussions enable you to consolidate and deepen your learning, and role plays and debates will also complement the teaching sessions and develop your skills, including those of negotiation, debating, presentation and teamwork.
Independent study is also essential, to enhance your class learning and to broaden your understanding of your subject. The two compulsory modules are assessed via written coursework, which are great opportunities to demonstrate your knowledge and ability to formulate arguments and solutions.
The LLM Intellectual Property and Data Protection Law is designed to equip you with the skills, knowledge and practical experience you will need to launch your career in any sector that requires this specialist knowledge in today’s globalised and interconnected world. Doors will open for you into the private sector, into consultancy work, into the public sector, or even into an academic or a research career.
Our programme will give you a thorough grounding in the radiation and environmental protection aspects of nuclear physics.
This includes in-depth knowledge of radiation protection and showing you how the technical and organisational procedures of the discipline may be applied to the broader concept of environmental protection.
The substantial practical element of this programme enables you to relate taught material to real-world applications. Formal lectures are complemented with work in specialist radiation laboratories that were recently refurbished as part of a £1m upgrade to our facilities.
Here you will work with a wide range of radioactive sources and radiation detectors. There is also an extended project in the spring and an eleven-week MSc dissertation project in the summer.
This programme is studied full-time over one academic year and part-time students must study at least two taught technical modules per academic year. It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation.
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
The programme material is taught by a combination of academics from the Department of Physics at Surrey and specialists provided by industrial partners. The Surrey academics are part of the Centre for Nuclear and Radiation Physics which houses the largest academic nuclear physics research group in the UK.
In addition to the formal lectures for taught modules, the programme provides a wide range of experimental hands-on training. This includes a nine-week radiation physics laboratory which takes place in the specialist radiation laboratories within the Department of Physics at the University of Surrey.
These were recently refurbished as part of a £1 million upgrade to the departmental teaching infrastructure. Within the Department, we also have a common room and a departmental library, which contains copies of earlier MSc dissertations.
As well as the laboratory training, you will also undertake a research project at the beginning of the Spring semester as a precursor to the eleven-week research dissertation project which makes up the final part of the MSc.
There are many opportunities for both the spring research project and summer dissertation project to be taken in an external industrial environment.
The programme has produced over 500 UK and overseas graduates, many of whom have gone on to well-paid positions in companies in the nuclear and radiation sectors. In the UK we need to decommission old reactors and build new ones to provide a low-carbon source of energy.
This, together with, for example, the importance of radioisotopes in fields such as medicine, means that the career prospects of our graduates are excellent.
The programme integrates the acquisition of core scientific knowledge with the development of key practical skills with a focus on professional career development within medical physics and radiation detection, and related industries.
The principle educational aims and outcomes of learning are to provide participants with advanced knowledge, practical skills and understanding applied to medical physics, radiation detection instrumentation, radiation and environmental practice in an industrial or medical context.
This is achieved by the development of the participants’ understanding of the underlying science and technology and by the participants gaining an understanding of the legal basis, practical implementation and organisational basis of medical physics and radiation measurement.
Knowledge and understanding
Intellectual / cognitive skills
Professional practical skills
Key / transferable skills
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
This programme will give you a fundamental understanding of the issues affecting the Earth enabling you to play a vital role in devising and enacting strategies to protect and conserve the environment, both in Europe and beyond.
Human activities are recognised as having an increasingly significant effect on the Earth’s biosphere. Our use of natural resources, deforestation, soil erosion, the release of potentially toxic compounds and pathogens, and the increase in greenhouse gases are all examples of pressures that have potentially serious consequences for humanity and other life on Earth.
On this programme you will learn about the issues that face the Earth and gain an in-depth understanding of natural resource management and the processes that give rise to environmental degradation and pollution problems.
It will allow you to play a vital role in planning and putting into action strategies to protect and conserve the environment.
This programme is run in collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC).
This programme is affiliated with the University's Global Environment & Society Academy.
This programme involves two semesters of taught courses, which are a balance of lectures, seminars, workshops and visits, plus a research dissertation project of about 16,000 words.
Compulsory courses typically will be:
Option courses:
You will also choose four optional courses^. We particularly recommend the following:
Courses are offered subject to timetabling and availability and are subject to change.
Field trip
Part of this programme is a week-long study tour in spring. Past study tours have been held in France, Greece, Portugal, Israel and Morocco.
Students will:
Our graduates have a solid record in finding employment in the environmental sector while some choose to further their studies through a PhD.
There are also opportunities in consultancy positions and with environmental regulators, government and NGOs.
Would you like to know what it’s really like to study at the School of GeoSciences?
Visit our student experience blog where you can find articles, advice, videos and ask current students your questions.
The MA in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies provides a rigorous theoretical and practical understanding of the field of international refugee law and forced migration. It is unique in being the only programme of its type offered by distance learning.
The MA degree will enable you to acquire a solid legal, practical and theoretical understanding of refugee protection and forced migration, developing expertise through a choice of elective modules. You will hone your self-reliance in dealing with - and critiquing - law, policy and practice in the field, and will also learn how to gather, organise and deploy evidence to form balanced judgements and develop policy recommendations.
This Masters is relevant to those who already work in the area, for whom a Masters qualification would enable them to progress to higher level work within the sector, whether in multilaterals, governments or NGOs.
It will also appeal to people hoping to establish themselves in the sector - these could be people making a career change or those at an early stage of their careers.
It is also relevant to sector professionals, to provide a deeper understanding of the issues facing refugees and refugee aid organisations.
We are hoping to create a virtual meeting place for students, academics and practitioners from all parts of the globe.
The programme is designed to develop both academic and vocational skills and experience.
It will enable you not only to think constructively about related policy and law, but to develop actual policy recommendations.
The 'practice based' module provides the opportunity to explore of some of the key vocational aspects relevant to the sector including topics such as advocacy, campaigning, fundraising, policy, law and communications. You can then choose to focus on a specific area for your examined piece of work. In the case of fundraising, for example, you could submit a funding bid that will be assessed by a tutor with significant practical experience in the grants and trusts sector.
Other modules on the course focus on asylum law and policy in specific regions of the world, such as Latin America and Africa or the European Union, whilst others focus on specific thematic issues such as statelessness, internal displacement, healthcare, gender and sexual identity.
Overall the course seeking to provide students with a solid legal, practical and theoretical understanding of refugee protection and forced migration.
You study this online programme wherever you are in the world and access the course content through a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The VLE also gives you access to:
- Associate Tutors who provide expert academic guidance throughout your studies
- academically rigorous and up-to-date learning materials and resources
- online tasks and assessments ('e-tivities') plus seen examinations for each of the modules
- peer to peer learning in online discussion forums
- world-class online library facilities.
To ask a question about this programme, please contact out Student Advice Centre using this form.
The focus is on enhancing practitioners’ understanding of current issues in public protection, and developing their capacity to undertake their own research to underpin evidence-based practice.
Topics typically covered include domestic abuse and homicide, stalking, sexual violence, child abuse, child sexual exploitation, honour-based violence, trafficking and modern slavery, hate crime, elder abuse and missing persons. By reviewing the current understanding of best practice in multi-agency working, risk assessment and threat assessment, the programme offers valuable professional development opportunities for those working in the criminal justice sector, victim organisations, advocacy roles, and a range of public services careers.
Participants develop their research skills, by conducting a live project to explore key issues relevant to their own employer or another organisation, thus generating new knowledge that can be applied directly to practice. Examples of recent projects include scoping the value of a pan-agency stalking clinic in the county, and the prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders within child sexual exploitation offenders. The programme benefits from the innovative work undertaken within the Centre for Learning and Innovation in Public Protection at the university, including the application of research findings to the design of training and tools for frontline service delivery and development.
Modules
Assessment is through coursework and research reports.
We invite a wide range of guest lecturers to speak on their own professional practice, drawing on our strong links with police forces, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gloucestershire, public sector organisations, and charities providing support and training around domestic violence, homicide, stalking and sexual offences.
Explore key issues relevant to your own employer or another organisation, generating new knowledge that can be applied directly to practice. Recent projects include examination of the effectiveness of the MARAC process in safeguarding high-risk domestic abuse victims, and the prevalence of autistic spectrum disorders within child sexual exploitation offenders.
On completion of the Postgraduate Certificate, you could choose to progress to the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc in Criminology. There is also the option of taking an individual module as continuing professional development (CPD).
This is currently the only master's course in the UK that covers the safeguarding of both children and adults. You'll gain a unique perspective on how to improve the lives of society's most vulnerable people and make a difference in cases of extreme, entrenched, or multi-generational abuse and neglect.
Visit the website: http://bucks.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/health-and-social-sciences/child-protection-and-adult-safeguarding-ft-1718
Is this course for me?
Our MSc Child Protection and Adult Safeguarding is now more relevant than ever, with recent changes in safeguarding legislation (i.e. the Care Act 2014), and the impact of high-profile enquiries, such as the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham and Child Sexual Abuse. Offered on a full-time or part-time basis, it's ideal for professionals who want to improve their knowledge and practice when working with vulnerable people.
This unique, multi-disciplinary programme attracts working professionals in a range of areas and roles. Our postgraduate students include social workers, nurses and midwives, early years professionals, police officers, and doctors who want to become experts in safeguarding.
The course also appeals to analytical people who enjoy problem solving and want to add to research in this vital area. We attract graduates from a range of disciplines including sociology, psychology and education. Your peers will help you develop a greater understanding of the challenges faced by the safeguarding system.
What will this course cover?
Our teaching staff are experienced professionals and lead research in areas such as healthcare, social care, education and policing. As such, their teaching is wide-ranging and informed by best practice. We offer a wide range of optional modules including: disability, psychology, sociology, leadership/management, education, criminology and healthcare.
You can expect to:
• learn how to facilitate positive change and best practice in safeguarding
• learn the policy, research and practice settings for safeguarding work
• understand social behaviour and experience
• understand the social causes of abuse
• learn to identify risk indicators
• understand how to a be a socially responsible social scientist
• develop critical analysis skills.
The dissertation element of the programme may take the form of a work-based project, which will allow you to actively combine a critical theoretical analysis with reflective project work. This can also be an extended review of the literature on a particular topic.
What are my career prospects?
Safeguarding children and adults is an extremely rewarding career that makes a big difference in the lives of society's most vulnerable members. When you graduate from this course, you will be able to advance your current career, change careers into a role more specifically focused on safeguarding. You'll also be in the position to pursue further academic research.
After completing this course, you can expect to work in roles of increasing seniority within your profession, or to work for local authority Safeguarding Children and Safeguarding Adults Boards. NHS Trusts/CCGs, local authorities, voluntary/charities and schools have specific roles for those qualified in safeguarding.
Bucks graduates have gone on to roles including:
• Safeguarding Leads
• Local Authority Designated Officer
• Head of Safeguarding
• Policy Adviser (Skills for Care)
• NSPCC Research Officer
• Policy Advisor for NGOs.
Some of our graduates choose to continue their education by completing a PhD. Continuing your education gives you the opportunity to develop your skills further and research your area of interest.
How will you help me prepare for my future career?
The Safeguarding course will provide you with a strong skill set and the confidence to improve the quality of care and communication with vulnerable children and adults.
If you want to develop a career in safeguarding practice, this course will prepare you for job roles such as policy developer, researcher, team leader, programme manager or unit manager in the NHS, local government and charities.
How to apply
Apply here: http://bucks.ac.uk/applynow/
Funding
There are a range of funding opportunities for postgraduate students which include sponsorship, bursaries, scholarships and loans: http://bucks.ac.uk/fees_funding/postgraduate-masters-scholarships/
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