Masters Degrees in Childcare, United Kingdom

Childhood is accorded a special status under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and child welfare forms a policy focus for states across the globe. Within the UK, child health and social care has received considerable support under the government's modernising agenda leading to an increase in childcare provision, employment opportunities and a growing evidence and academic knowledge base. The School of Social Work has been active in developments in child care practice and research and has developed a strong child care research group which has contributed to our success in establishing a research profile of national and international significance. The school is home to the Centre for Childhood and Youth research [‘TheCentre’] led by Professors Nigel Thomas and Andy Bilson and is an active member of the Making Research Count Network.

The course takes a research-applied approach to examining contemporary practice and service provision and also offers opportunities to engage in research and theoretical work. It is made up of three parts:

Core childcare modules which critically examine conventional developmental approaches and more recent research on contemporary childhoods; contemporary national and international research, policy and practice concerning children's safety and protection; the ways in which relevant legislation and guidance including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child [UNCRC]; Children Acts, 1989 and 2004, Every Child Matters and the Human Rights Act are currently being applied in the UK and the part law plays in constructing appropriate roles for children.

Further core modules provide for knowledge and skills development in Research Methods, and the critical exploration of the contemporary contexts of service developments in children's services.

A research based dissertation.

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University of the West of Scotland's (UWS) Graduate Diploma is Childhood Practice is professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC). This programme is ideally suited for employed SSSC registered practitioners who wish to become registered as lead practitioners/managers.

About the programme

This Graduate Diploma will give you the skills and knowledge to deliver quality services to children and their parents in an early years setting. Your studies will include learning within childhood; leadership and management; and reflective practice and research.

Learning approaches are based on extending your knowledge to support and enhance practice through analysis of critical incidents using problem-based learning. Learning and assessment is embedded in work-related practice and builds upon your prior learning and existing knowledge to meet the regulatory requirements for lead practitioner employment. You must be employed in, or have access to, an acceptable professional environment in which knowledge and understanding of childhood practice in Scotland has been developed.

Practical experience

Work-based learning forms part of the assessment so employment for more than 16 hours per week is necessary. You must also have employer support and a mentor from your area of practice to support your studies. You will be assigned a personal tutor and online tutoring support is available. You will also use Personal Development Planning to track your progress, plan your future development and enhance your future employability.

Your learning

The course consists of six modules at SCQF Level 9. All modules will include ‘strategy projects’ undertaken in the workplace, which develop and enhance the links between theory and practice and involve critical reflection. There is also the opportunity to undertake research into a topic of special interest.

Modules include:

- Reflective Planning
- Leading Learning
- Leadership and Management
- Promoting Learning
- Developing Integrated Working
- Qualitative Research Methods

Our Careers Adviser says

The Standard for Childhood Practice aims to help strengthen leadership in the childcare and early years sector and improve career opportunities for early years and childcare professionals. Graduates will find opportunities as lead practitioners/managers within these areas.

Professional recognition

This course is approved by the SSSC and is recognised as a lead practitioner qualification.

Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG)

Applicants will be required to join the PVG Scheme, managed and delivered by Disclosure Scotland. For more information on the PVG Scheme please refer to http://www.scotland.gov.uk

New from 2015/16

The School introduced an Early Years Masters pathway as part of the MEd in Enhanced Educational Practice in 2015/16. Learning includes responsive pedagogies, supporting bilingual children, children’s rights and participation, and early years intervention and evaluation. This pathway is suitable for early years teachers and childhood practice graduates. See our website for updates or contact [email protected]

First-class facilities

You’ll have access to a wide range of technology to facilitate your learning. Our libraries are stocked with a vast range of specialist resources to help you in your studies, and you’ll also have access to our extensive electronic library collection (including e-books and academic journals) and the virtual learning environment, Moodle.

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Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Childhood Studies at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).

This course aims to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of children and childhood.

Key Features of Childhood Studies

Performance:

- strong links with a range of international networks and similar university departments in Europe and around the world

Teaching and Employability:

- excellent learning experience and cross cultural views because of international student cohorts

- opportunity to continue studies to pursue a PhD supervised by a well-qualified member of the team

- opportunity to take part in a local field trip

The course in Childhood Studies is designed for a wide range of professionals working with children.

A broad range of topics are covered and students are encouraged to critically reflect on their practice and address theory and research relevant to their own interests in Childhood Studies.

The Childhood Studies course will:

- reflect upon the nature of childhood as a concept and the way in which it comes to be construed as it is

- consider holistic child development in contemporary society

- reflect on childhood and family policy in a variety of contexts

- consider professional roles (one’s own and others) in relation to services for children and their families

- encourage critical analysis of research in relation to childhood

- encourage professional reflective practice.

Modules

Modules on the Childhood Studies course may include:

Researching Childhood

Understanding and Observing Child Development

Child Health

Children's Rights and Safeguarding Children and Young People

Perspectives on Play

Advanced Practice with Children

Therapeutic Work with Children

Childhood Illness

Childhood Nutrition and Growth

Staff Expertise

Team members are active researchers and their work is well published in Childhood Studies.

Childhood Studies students are encouraged to publish their own research – thereby demonstrating the high quality of their work.

Team members include:

Amy Brown – an expert in child health

Jill John – an expert in safeguarding and children’s rights

Pete King – an expert in child development and children’s play across children’s services.

Justine Howard – an expert in child development and play across children’s services

Zac Maunder – an expert in children’s emotional health

Postgraduate Community

The College of Human and Health Sciences has a vibrant postgraduate community with students drawn from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities. The College is known for its friendly, welcoming and supportive environment, which combined with its extensive facilities, state-of-the-art technology and superb beachside location, helps to ensure that students benefit from an exceptional student experience.

In addition, Childhood Studies students have access to a wide range of excellent facilities and equipment for realistic workplace experiences.

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Programme description

This is an intensive interdisciplinary programme, designed to explore issues such as child law and how it is implemented through policy and practice, and the implications of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child for child welfare, disability, education, family studies, juvenile justice, social policy and social work.

This programme responds to the increasing importance of the study of childhood in disciplines as widespread as philosophy, sociology and geography. It offers an opportunity to develop skills in research and consultation with children and young people.

You’ll examine the implications of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and gain knowledge and analytical perspectives on particular areas of legislation, policy, theory and practice that affect children. The programme benefits from the childhood studies expertise of academic staff across the University.

Programme structure

Teaching combines lectures, seminars and tutorials, plus a combination of essays and assessed coursework. You will complete three compulsory courses and three option courses followed by an independently researched dissertation.

Career opportunities

This qualification serves both as a conversion course if you wish to pursue careers working with children or children’s issues, and as a career development opportunity if you already have experience in these fields.

Graduates have gone on to a variety of posts, such as employment with national and international non-governmental organisations, research posts and PhD study, and national and local government positions.

You will develop a range of transferable skills, such as communication and project management, which can be applied to roles in any field.

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Safeguarding children is a high profile area of work, where decision making carries a high order of risk for children, their families and those engaged with them. There is a pressing demand for professionals and others across a wide range of disciplines and sectors to develop an in-depth knowledge of child protection work and to demonstrate effective, evidence based skills. The Postgraduate Certificate in Safeguarding Children was developed to offer opportunities for continuing personal and professional development through the development of in-depth knowledge to support practitioners and others whose work or research interests lay within the wide range of services for children, young people, their parents or carers. The multi-disciplinary backgrounds and experiences of candidates are an important value added element of the course, mirroring as it does the multi-agency working which underpins all contemporary children’s services and is required by legislation and guidance.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND ASSESSMENT

Sessions are scheduled on Wednesdays and typically run 3 -5pm, to accommodate candidates who are combining professional careers with CPD. Each of the three modules will consist of around 12 class sessions. These include a mix of tutor delivered input; interactive discussions; candidate lead seminars; problem solving activities and directed reading.

Assessment is by coursework and varied: methods include seminar presentations, the preparation of a training pack, a poster presentation, essays, critiques.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Child health and social care has received considerable support under the government's modernising agenda leading to an increase in child care provision, employment opportunities and a growing evidence and academic knowledge base. The school has been active in developments in child care practice and research and has developed a strong child care research group which has contributed to our success in establishing a research profile of national/international significance. Against this background we provide relevant, up-to-date and accessible courses in child care at postgraduate level including the Postgraduate Certificate in Safeguarding, the MA in Contemporary Practice with Children and Young People and PhD opportunities.

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Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Developmental and Therapeutic Play at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).

The Developmental and Therapeutic Play course aims to consider the developmental, educational and therapeutic potential of play at an advanced academic level through the combination of demanding intellectual work and sophisticated practical reflection.

Key Features of Developmental and Therapeutic Play

Teaching and Employability:

- taught by well published academics and specialist practitioners

- access to a multi-disciplinary team with strong links to similar university departments in Europe and around the world

- hands on practical workshops as well as lectures and seminars

- good record of graduate employment

- employability supported by the university-wide careers service as well as the teaching team

- numerous links with local businesses to increase prospects for work experience

- fieldwork experience included as part of the programme

- excellent teaching and learning experiences and cross-cultural insights developed through an international cohort

- opportunity to pursue a PhD supervised by a well-qualified member of the team

The Developmental and Therapeutic Play course is a modular postgraduate programme consisting of 180 credits at level M.

The course is offered on a part-time basis with completion typically within three years.

Developmental and Therapeutic Play examines how children’s play develops and how children develop as they play. It explores evidence based play practice across a range of professional contexts. Play is an important element of provision across all Children’s Services in the UK and beyond. Graduate employment prospects are wide ranging and past students have secured a range of interesting posts.

The Developmental and Therapeutic Play course offers the perfect opportunity to study children’s play at an advanced academic level, combining theoretical work with fieldwork experience and high-level reflection. It is taught by internationally recognised and well published academics in the field.

The Developmental and Therapeutic Play course aims to deepen students’ understanding of the developmental and therapeutic potential of play. This includes how the environment and social interactions support children’s growing repertoire of play skills, with a particular emphasis on the inherent value of children’s self-directed play experiences.

The developmental, educational and therapeutic potential of play across multiple contexts are also considered i.e. inclusive play practice, observation, assessment and being able to identify when further professional assistance may be required.

Modules

Modules on the Developmental and Therapeutic Play may include:

Play Theory and Practice

Researching Childhood

Perspectives on Play

Understanding and Observing Child Development

Therapeutic Work with Children

Careers and Employability

The Developmental and Therapeutic Play course is highly regarded resulting in specialist positions in education, international aid, counselling and pastoral care, social work, hospital/healthcare and playwork.

Graduates have secured posts in domestic violence teams, the prison service, hospitals and schools. Some have also set up their own businesses or have gone on to pursue further training in play therapy, counselling, psychotherapy or clinical psychology.

The College also offers supervision for Developmental and Therapeutic Play students who wish to continue their studies in this field at PhD level.

Voluntary work throughout the course is encouraged.

The College also provides career information and relevant job advertisements as well as career tutorials. Past Developmental and Therapeutic Play graduates are involved in future teaching and publication of student research is encouraged.

Work Experience and Volunteering

The College of Human and Health Sciences has links with a number of local children’s services who may be prepared to offer volunteering or work experience opportunities.

Gaining experience is vital to building a strong CV and increasing employability on graduation.

Staff Expertise

Team members are active researchers and their work is well published.

Many past Developmental and Therapeutic Play students have published their research or presented their findings at seminars and conferences. This is encouraged and supported by the academic team and demonstrates the high quality of work being produced.

Postgraduate Community

The College of Human and Health Sciences has a vibrant postgraduate community with students drawn from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities. The College is known for its friendly, welcoming and supportive environment, which combined with its extensive facilities, state-of-the-art technology and superb beachside location, helps to ensure that students benefit from an exceptional student experience.

In addition, students have access to a wide range of excellent facilities and equipment for realistic workplace experiences.

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About the course

This course is for professionals from statutory, voluntary and independent sector agencies. It’s suitable for social workers, health visitors, doctors, nurses, CP liaison teachers and members of fostering and adoption teams.

If you work in a residential, community, hospital or day care setting and you’re involved in safeguarding and other statutory assessments, the course will enhance your capability.

We’ll help you to:

Keep a clear focus on the needs of the child.
Make clear and defensible judgements.
Explore issues that relate to your job.
Work with professionals from other disciplines.

Where your masters can take you

Our graduates are academics, researchers and health and social care professionals. Others become managers or administrators in the public and private sectors.

How we teach

Our teaching is rigorous and research-led. We encourage you to think critically, to learn research techniques and develop transferable skills. We also help you to develop the personal attributes that will make you highly employable. The department is a friendly place, where staff and postgraduates work together as colleagues.

Our interdisciplinary approach brings together sociologists, social policy analysts, social workers and social anthropologists. Our empirical research is internationally recognised. We make significant contributions to policy debates.

Course content

Integrated Safeguarding; Public Law; Out of Home Care; Evidence-Informed Practice; Child Development and Communication with Children; Parenting Capacity; Interventions to Promote Change; Supervision and Safeguarding.

There’s a CPD route for qualified practitioners: you can take modules one at a time, as stand-alone courses. You can use the credits to build up to a degree at your own pace if you want to.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is conducted through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, small-group work and problem-solving.

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The MA Child Studies at King’s is a multi-disciplinary programme designed to meet the needs of professionals and graduates working or intending to work with or on behalf of children and young people. It is of particular relevance for anyone in a child safeguarding role, including social workers, child and family lawyers, named or designated health practitioners, teachers, police officers and NGO staff.

Key benefits

- Multidisciplinary approach

- Largely taught by external expert speakers, as well as King's staff from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds

- Centres around contemporary issues in child protection and children's rights

- Opportunity for students to exchange ideas and experiences with those from different disciplines

Visit the website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-courses/child-studies-ma.aspx

Course detail

- Description -

Underpinned by a theoretical framework of children's rights, this multi-disciplinary programme is designed to encourage students to take a rigorous academic and analytical approach to contemporary issues in childhood which are of relevance to those working or intending to work with or on behalf of vulnerable children.

The curriculum is subject to change to keep up with policy developments.

- Course purpose -

Designed for professional and personal development, as well as academic. We aim to enable you to develop a multidisciplinary approach to childhood issues within the context of current policy developments. Students come from a variety of disciplines and professions including medicine, education, law, social care, psychology and sociology.

- Course format and assessment -

Full-time students take all 180 credits in one academic year. Part-time students normally take all four taught modules in year 1, and research methods training and the dissertation in year 2. However, there is some flexibility, and you may choose to take three taught modules in year 1 and your remaining modules in year 2 if you prefer.

Career prospects

Our graduates frequently progress to senior practitioner posts involving child-related work. Many students have found that the multidisciplinary aspect of the programme has opened up unexpected or unique opportunities, including research or policy positions with some of the larger children's charities. Recent graduate destinations include Anna Freud Centre, Barnardo's, St Christopher's residential child care services and local authority children's services.

How to apply: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/taught-courses.aspx

About Postgraduate Study at King’s College London:

To study for a postgraduate degree at King’s College London is to study at the city’s most central university and at one of the top 20 universities worldwide (2015/16 QS World Rankings). Graduates will benefit from close connections with the UK’s professional, political, legal, commercial, scientific and cultural life, while the excellent reputation of our MA and MRes programmes ensures our postgraduate alumni are highly sought after by some of the world’s most prestigious employers. We provide graduates with skills that are highly valued in business, government, academia and the professions.

Scholarships & Funding:

All current PGT offer-holders and new PGT applicants are welcome to apply for the scholarships. For more information and to learn how to apply visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/pg/funding/sources

Free language tuition with the Modern Language Centre:

If you are studying for any postgraduate taught degree at King’s you can take a module from a choice of over 25 languages without any additional cost. Visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/mlc

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The course aims to be a forum for sharing experience and developing knowledge of child development, the early years curriculum and the particular challenges of leadership in an early years context. It is designed for early years professionals and managers.

See the website http://www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/pgcert-education-early-childhood/

Why choose this course?

- The course is designed, in conjunction with Oxfordshire Local Authority, to provide an opportunity for practitioners to update themselves on the latest research on child development, early years policy and practice.

- It provides a forum for discussion and the sharing of practice in relation to key areas of development and change.

- We work in close partnership with schools, nurseries, children's centres and other early years settings across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

- The School of Education at Oxford Brookes is a focal point for lively, informed debate on education through its seminar and lecture programmes.

Teaching and learning

The teaching and learning methods used on the programme are designed to promote constructive and critical reflection on practice and a range of theoretical and research issues.

Lectures, seminars and workshops provide the format for the timetabled sessions but the modules are structured to ensure students have the opportunities to draw on the knowledge and experience of each other.

Approach to assessment

Each module has an assignment of approximately 4,000 words.

An example of an indicative assessment is a report on an observational study of children working on a particular activity / experience, focusing on a selected child-development theme.

How this course helps you develop

The course will develop your knowledge of the main areas of early years practice. You will also learn from working with other students who have a wide range of experience in different types of early years settings.

Careers

This course is designed to support you in applying for roles in early years settings and can also be used as credit to build towards a full MA Childhood and Youth Studies or Education. Completion of the course shows a commitment to professional development in the early years sector and can lead to improved promotion prospects.

Free language courses for students - the Open Module

Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

Please note that the free language courses are not available if you are:
- studying at a Brookes partner college
- studying on any of our teacher education courses or postgraduate education courses.

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We scrutinise the differing political and ethical claims on childhood and youth that inform contemporary policy and practice.

You’ll be exposed to new and original ways of thinking about children and young people. You’ll be able to:
-Communicate effectively with child- and youth-focused professionals
-Carry out empirical research with children and young people
-Transfer your analytical, writing and other skills to the workplace

How will I study?

You study core modules and options. You also undertake a research methods module and a research dissertation or work-based project.

You are assessed through essays and case studies of 1,500–3,000 words, and group presentations. As part of the dissertation component of the course, you produce a dissertation proposal and a dissertation of 15,000 words.

Work placement

We have strong links with a number of local organisations through which we offer work placements as part of this course. Many of our graduates find employment in non-profit organisations, schools, and social-research settings.

Scholarships

Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals.

Chancellor's International Scholarship (2017)
-25 scholarships of a 50% tuition fee waiver
-Application deadline: 1 May 2017

HESPAL Scholarship (Higher Education Scholarships Scheme for the Palestinian Territories) (2017)
-Two full fee waivers in conjuction with maintenance support from the British Council
-Application deadline: 1 January 2017

PGCE First-Generation Scholars Award (2017)
-£600 maintenance award to PGCE students with a household income below £42,875

USA Friends Scholarships (2017)
-A scholarship of an amount equivalent to $10,000 for nationals or residents of the USA on a one year taught Masters degree course
-Application deadline: 3 April 2017

Centre for Innovation and Research in Childhood and Youth Studies

The School is among the leading academic units in the UK for the quality of its research and hosts the ground-breaking Centre for Innovation and Research in Childhood and Youth (CIRCY). The Centre brings together academic expertise from across the University and also benefits from having an international advisory group including policy and professional experts.

We warmly encourage student participation in all CIRCY activities including the regular seminars and workshops we host in collaboration with our external partners.

Recently commissioned research projects include:
-An international study into children’s participation
-Safeguarding children’s internet use in the digital age
-Child protection in secondary schools
-The development of a ‘sex positive’ health-service delivery for young people

Careers

You may already have a professional qualification in social work, teaching, youth work, early years or related fields and wish to specialise further in the field of childhood and youth studies.

Our MA is ideal for advanced practitioners, leaders and managers, project development and policy officers, and others working with children and young people in local, national and international agencies in the statutory and non-governmental sectors.

Whatever your level, this MA provides an excellent step into doctoral-level study in any academic discipline or profession concerned with childhood and youth.

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This programme provides training for individuals in outcomes-based CBT interventions to promote psychological wellbeing in children and young people. This Master's programme is aimed at professionals already working in the field of children's services, including social care, education and health, who hope to gain skills they can practise in the workplace.

Degree information

The programme will develop participants’ knowledge and skills in cognitive behavioural based interventions with children and young people experiencing a range of difficulties in social and emotional aspects of their development. Participants will also develop skills in evaluating the impact of their own work, in order to be able to reflect on and modify practice in future.

All candidates should initially enrol for the Postgraduate Certificate (modules 1-4, 60 credits).

On completion they should make a decision to terminate their studies at that point or enrol to take further modules for the Diploma (modules 5–8, 60 credits) and MSc (dissertation module, 60 credits). There are no optional modules for this programme.

Core modules
PG Certificate:
-Introduction to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Context
-Assessment and Engagement for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Context
-Basic Skills (Developing Understanding)
-Basic Skills (Methods of Change)

PG Diploma:
-Introduction to Disorder Specific Approaches
-Disorder Specific Approaches
-Complex Problems
-Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Context

MSc:
-Research Dissertation

Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a substantial dissertation.

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, and taught by leading practitioners in the field. Teaching is a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars. A core component of the programme is videoing of students' CBT practice which is discussed in small practice tutor groups during each teaching day.

Careers

The programme is aimed at applicants in relevant employment and supports career progression.

Top career destinations for this degree:
-Educational Psychologist, Hampshire County Council
-Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Unspecified Healthcare
-Primary Mental Health Worker, NHS Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust

Employability
CBT for children and young people is one of a number of evidence-based interventions for common childhood problems and disorders. The demand for professionals with skills in this area in known to be high and is likely to grow. Students will have a (Certificate/Diploma/Master's) UCL qualification in CBT with children and this will be much valued by employers looking to develop this type of intervention within their service. Several of our students have been funded by employers who want to increase their supervisory capacity in CBT and this is likely to be a trend that will continue.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The programme is based and taught at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, the leading national charity supporting young minds through innovative therapeutic practice, training and research. The vision of the centre is a world in which children, young people and their families are effectively supported to build on their own strengths to achieve their goals in life.

Students benefit from the centre's collaboration with UCL; they gain the advantages of studying within the intimate and vibrant environment of the centre, together with access to the facilities and resources of UCL - an internationally renowned university.

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The MSc Safeguarding and Promoting Children’s Welfare is for all professionals who work with children in a health, social care or public context. A range of professionals choose to undertake this course; for example, nurses, midwives, health visitors, teachers, the police, workers in children’s services and representatives from the voluntary sector.

Study on this course reflects the change in emphasis in safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare through integrated services. As well as enhancing your own professional development, this course helps you to guide and support others in your profession in respect of their safeguarding roles and responsibilities.

The University of Bolton's postgraduate framework in safeguarding children is extremely flexible. You can select one or two stand-alone modules to fill-in gaps in your professional knowledge, or a take a number of modules and build up credits towards the postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma or full masters degree.

The course challenges you to take a critical approach to your studies and professional development, by enabling you to make practical and effective use of your learning in your professional role. In addition to gaining subject specific knowledge this programme enhances your research skills to make use of your developing depth of knowledge.

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This programme in Child Health reflects the need for the NHS to deliver basic academic training in paediatrics to all trainees in Scotland, and to formally cover the level 2 Framework of Competencies for Training in Paediatrics outlined by the accrediting body, Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health (RCPCH).

Why this programme

-The Certificate in Child Health is run jointly by the University of Glasgow and NHS Education for Scotland.
-Scottish Deaneries have offered support to this programme, and will request that all paediatric trainees in their Level 2 Specialist Training complete this programme as part of their professional training.
-If you are a doctor in a training programme for paediatrics currently working as a Specialist Trainee (ST) in the UK, this programme is designed for you: in particular for ST trainees post-MRCPCH who are in ST years 3, 4 or 5. The programme may also be useful for suitably qualified overseas applicants.
-You will gain a qualification which, in conjunction with appropriate clinical training, will satisfy the General Medical Council / RCPCH and allow you to move on to your Level 3 training.

Programme structure

The Certificate is a mix of online and face-to-face teaching. Twenty 6-hour days of face-to-face teaching are delivered through the academic year, and these are supplemented by online lectures, formative exercises and compulsory reading. This allows a collegiate atmosphere to develop with less disruption to clinical experience. This certificate course will reward the trainees 60 units of credit on completion.

The content is split into five compulsory sections
-Public health, mental health, child protection and looked after children (LAC)
-Growth, nutrition, metabolic, gastroenterology, diabetes and endocrine
-Development, neurology and senses
-Respiratory and cardiovascular
-Infectious disease, immunology, renal, haematology, oncology, rheumatology and adolescent medicine

A trainee must take all sections spanning a maximum of four academic years but typically over two years although some trainees will manage to complete all section during one academic year.

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This programme provides a practice-based examination of the theoretical approaches important to leadership and management within childhood practice.

Why this programme

◾On successful completion of the programme you will meet the requirements of the Standard for Childhood Practice (Scottish Social Services Council, 2007).
◾Students who successfully complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Childhood Practice will be given the opportunity to progress to masters and undertake the dissertation element.
◾You will get to review your own work experiences and use the findings to set your professional development targets within the programme.

Programme structure

You will take four core courses and two placement courses.

The taught component will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and group project work.

You will develop the research, writing and professional skills to enable you to register with Scottish Social Services Council at a manager level.

Core courses

◾Childhood practice: building a professional learning community
◾Leading improvements in childhood practice
◾Contemporary perspectives on children and childhoods
◾Practitioner enquiry and decision making.

Career prospects

If you have a leadership role in childhood practice settings (or are looking for such a role) the programme will enhance your personal and professional development.

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A dynamic blend of clinical and research expertise is reflected in the delivery of this multidisciplinary programme where high standards of clinical care are fostered and students are encouraged to apply their critical and analytical thinking skills to theory, policy and practice in child and adolescent mental health.

Degree information

The programme will develop your ability to identify and analyse principles of policy, planning and management in child and adolescent mental health. You will gain professional, academic and research skills and understand how their application can improve clinical practice. You will increase your understanding of the impact of culture and diversity upon clinical theory and practice, and experience enhanced personal and professional development.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of five core modules (75 credits), three optional modules (45 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, one year part-time, flexible two to five years) is offered. The programme consists of five core modules (75 credits), and three optional modules (45 credits). A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, one year part-time, two years flexible) is offered. Three core modules (45 credits) and a choice of one of the two remaining core modules (15 credits).

Core modules
-Introduction to Child and Adolescent Mental Health
-Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Child Mental Health
-Basic Research Methods in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
-Treatment in Child and Adolescent Mental Health – Pharmacological
-Interventions in Child and Adolescent Mental Health – Psychological

Optional modules
-International Child Mental Health
-Adolescent Mental Health and Transition to Adult Services
-Professionalism and Ethics in Child Mental Health
-Investigating Research
-Research Methods and Statistics

Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 to 12,000 words.

Teaching and learning
The programme is taught through a combination of lectures, workshops, discussion, project work and independent and group study. Assessment includes written assignments, unseen written examinations, projects, oral presentations, group work, and the written dissertation.

Placement
We are able to offer a limited number of clinical placements in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in various NHS Trusts. Places are not guaranteed and are based on availability. The placements are a minimum of one day a week for a period of 8 weeks and will be supervised by medical and non-medical consultants within the service. Placements are observational only and will not be formally assessed but may offer opportunities to participate in research studies and other academic and teaching activities in the host Trust.

Careers

The programme provides career development training for doctors, psychologists and practitioners in social work and education who intend to focus and develop their careers in the areas of child mental health. This is a relatively new programme and specific career destinations data is not yet available. However, recent graduates have gone on to Clinical Doctorates in Psychology or had opportunities for progression in their current careers.

Employability
The programme attracts psychology graduates who wish to gain entry to a doctoral training programme in clinical psychology, and trainees in child psychiatry who wish to supplement their basic training with a higher degree; the MSc programme is closely aligned to the Royal College’s recommended curriculum. Students from social work, nursing and education will benefit from the acquisition of advanced skills in the theory and practice of working with young people with mental health difficulties. Clinical placements are available as an extra-curricular option for students who aim to develop their career in a profession related to clinical practice.

Why study this degree at UCL?

The UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health pursues an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to enhance understanding, diagnosis, therapy and prevention of childhood diseases. Our research and our educational portfolio covers a broad range of paediatric issues, from molecular genetics to population health sciences.

Our close relationship with the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children means that much of our research and teaching is carried out on a joint basis. Students benefit from excellent facilities in both laboratory and non-laboratory subjects.

This programme blends academic theory and research with clinical knowledge to enable professionals to deliver a high standard of clinical care.

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