Masters Degrees in Probation, United Kingdom

Ideal for practitioners, managers and policy makers, this Masters degree is the first of its kind in the UK with a specialist focus on the theory and practice of offender management.

With recent changes to the organisation and management of community orders in the UK, and the partial privatisation of probation, there is now a greater focus on developing practices for managing post-sentence work with people who have been convicted.

This specialist Criminology Masters will provide graduates with the knowledge and theory to further influence and lead the development of practice in post-custody supervision. Throughout your studies, you’ll delve into the philosophy, theory and practice of working with individuals who are sentenced to either serve a community order or a prison sentence and who are subject to post-custody supervision.

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/1852-msc-working-with-adult-and-young-offenders

What you will study

You’ll be encouraged to explore the criminal justice system in detail covering theories of crime, rehabilitation, retribution, deterrence, desistance and restorative justice. You’ll gain an insight into how different civil services (including prison and probation) work with offenders whilst also gaining a better understanding of the work carried out in the third and private sectors.

Guided independent study, a module in research methods, and a dissertation will also form part of your studies. You will also study a further option module available from a choice of topics including drug interventions, managing and leading interdisciplinary teams, supervision and support skills, ethics, reflection and safeguarding, restorative and approaches.

Learning and teaching methods

Taught by a team of lecturers with long-standing expertise in the field, you will learn through a mix of lectures, seminars and tutorials. As part of your studies you’ll also undertake independent study that will be supervised by a member of the teaching team.

The teaching team comprises of active researchers who specialise in drug use, crime prevention, homicide and violence, animal abuse, youth justice and youth policy, policing protests, informal justice and alternatives to prosecution and imprisonment.

Work Experience and Employment Prospects

Upon successful completion of this Masters degree you could pursue a career in the criminal justice system, such as the police, courts, prison, probation services and youth offending services.

Assessment methods

Assessment methods are varied and include essays, critiques, written examinations, multiple choice tests, and oral and poster presentations. You’ll also be required to complete a dissertation of around 20,000 words on an individual piece of research, which may be work-related.

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In recent years, there has been growing emphasis on an intelligence led approach to delivering community safety and reducing crime and disorder. Data analysis, community consultation and other methods are needed to ensure that resources achieve maximum effect, while engaging with communities in delivery. This flexible, part-time qualification is for professionals who require specific training and development to meet the challenges of such an approach.

Tuition is designed not only to equip you with the latest knowledge from the field, but also the skills to research and apply this in your workplace. Achieving this award will recognise the value of the higher level, professional activities conducted by practitioners in this field. It will be of particular interest to those working in community safety, policing, crime prevention, fire and rescue services, youth offending, probation, health services or local authorities.

Throughout the course, you will have full support and access to tutors with experience in this field. Discussion sessions are also built into the course, which are ideal to exchange good practice and work-related ideas with fellow professionals from across the country.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the course and would recommend it to anyone wanting to further their knowledge in this area. It has assisted me in my professional career.” Louise Lucas – PgC Community and Partnerships,Deputy Sector Inspector

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/1026-msc-community-and-partnerships-online-delivery

What you will study

You will study the following modules:

Postgraduate Certificate (PgC)
- Problem-orientated Partnerships
- Community Safety
- Researching Contemporary Issues
- Neighbourhood Analysis and Performance

Postgraduate Diploma (PgD)
- Strategic Partnerships
- Violent Extremism and Terrorism
- Community Issues

MSc
This award requires completion of a Dissertation Development module and a dissertation.

Learning and teaching methods

You will study this award by distance learning through the University’s online learning system, so you can combine your studies with work based learning. You will get to interact with other professionals through a specially designed virtual learning system, which includes forums and discussion groups.

Your learning will be supported by the course team, textbooks and related documents supplied by the University.

Modules start in April and September and new students are welcome to join whenever a new module begins.

Work Experience and Employment Prospects

This creative, flexible course is for professionals who want to develop their expertise and network with other practitioners in this area.

Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge for successful partnership interventions, the skills to research and apply this for the benefit of communities and their respective organisations, and the problemsolving skills for a multi-professional approach in a contemporary workplace.

Assessment methods

Assessments will be work-based, including critical essays and reflections on discussion groups.

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In recent years, there has been growing emphasis on an intelligence led approach to delivering community safety and reducing crime and disorder.

Data analysis, community consultation and other methods are needed to ensure that resources achieve maximum effect, while engaging with communities in delivery. This flexible qualification is for professionals who require specific training and development to meet the challenges of such an approach.

Tuition is designed not only to equip you with the latest knowledge from the field, but also the skills to research and apply this in your workplace. Achieving this award will recognise the value of the higher level, professional activities conducted by practitioners in this field. It will be of particular interest to those working in community safety, policing, crime prevention, fire and rescue services, youth offending, probation, health services or local authorities.

Throughout the course, you will have full support and access to tutors with experience in this field. Discussion sessions are also built into the course, which are ideal to exchange good practice and work-related ideas with fellow professionals from across the country.

See the website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/courses/605-msc-community-and-partnerships

What you will study

You will study the following modules:

Postgraduate Certificate (PgC)
- Problem-orientated Partnerships
- Community Safety
- Researching Contemporary Issues
- Neighbourhood Analysis and Performance

Postgraduate Diploma (PgD)
- Strategic Partnerships
- Violent Extremism and Terrorism
- Community Issues

MSc
This award requires completion of a Dissertation Development module and a dissertation.

Learning and teaching methods

You will study this award by a combination of lectures, tutorials and discussion groups. Your learning will be supported by the course team, textbooks and related documents supplied by the university, supplemented by access to resources held on the university’s online learning system, assisting home study. The course is delivered at the university and requires attendance one afternoon a week.

Work Experience and Employment Prospects

This creative, flexible course is for professionals who want to develop their expertise and network with other practitioners in this area.

Graduates will be equipped with the knowledge for successful partnership interventions, the skills to research and apply this for the benefit of communities and their respective organisations, and the problem solving skills for a multi-professional approach in a contemporary workplace.

Assessment methods

Assessments will be work-based, including critical essays and reflections on discussion groups.

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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. The opportunity to access this diverse pool of knowledge, within an environment that allows you to question and excel is what makes this programme unique and rewarding.

Course detail

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.

Programme aims

During the programme you:

• develop innovative techniques for professional training and support
• translate and apply the latest research and knowledge to inform best practice
• create diverse and flexible learning programmes
• address gaps in post-qualification training provision and opportunities
• facilitate safe and realistic environments in which child protection professionals can develop and enhance their skills and professional practice.

Modules

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.

• Contemporary child protection practice and policies
• Support, help and intervention
• Definitions, prevalence, causes and consequences of child abuse and neglect
• New perspectives on assessment and observation
• The 'unconscious at work': the organisational dimensions of risk management

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

Careers

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.

Why study at the University of Kent

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.

• Kent was awarded gold, the highest rating, in the UK Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework
• Kent is ranked 21st in the Times Higher Education (THE) ‘Table of Tables’ 2017
• Kent is ranked 25th in the Complete University Guide 2018
• Kent is ranked 22nd in the Guardian University Guide 2018
• 37% of our academics are from overseas and we have students representing 148 nationalities
• In the most recent research rankings, 97% of research at Kent was found to be of international quality (REF 2014)
• Kent is ranked 17th in the UK* for research intensity and research output (REF 2014)
• Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/why-kent/

* of 122 universities, not including specialist institutions

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Kent's MA in Social Work offers you the opportunity to gain a professional qualification in social work alongside a Master’s degree. Successful graduates are eligible for professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the regulatory body for social work.

Social Work is based at our Medway campus:https://www.kent.ac.uk/locations/medway/

Course detail

The programme meets the Professional Capabilities Framework as required by the HCPC. You gain the knowledge and skills needed by professional social workers and provides extensive work in practice learning settings that meet Government requirements. The MA is a full-time, two-year programme running from September each year.

Purpose

The MA invites you to think coherently and systematically about the context, nature and aims of social work in the UK.

The changes taking place in social work nationally make this an exciting and challenging time to join us. Our team includes qualified practitioners with experience in a range of services and management settings who are constantly examining change and its implications on the future of social work.

Format and assessment

The programme incorporates critical analysis and practice-based skills. This includes a two-day observational practice learning opportunity and a 70-day practice learning opportunity in Stage 1, with a further 100-day placement in Stage 2.

In addition to assessed work, linked to both taught modules and practice learning, you also complete a dissertation in a specific area of research in your second year.

Modules

You will study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. 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:

• Social Work Theories, interventions and skills
• The individual, family and society
• Law, rights and justice
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Social work: mental health and adult service users
• Values, ethics and diversity
• Social work with children and families

https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/124/social-work#structure

Careers

Social work jobs exist in local authority and health settings (eg social services departments, hospital settings), voluntary organisations (Barnardo's, NSPCC) and private agencies such as private fostering agencies and care homes. Some graduates choose to undertake agency work.

Our graduates obtain a range of transferable skills and report high levels of being in employment or further study within six months of graduation across all of our degree programmes.

Over 98% of Kent's postgraduate students who graduated in 2016 were in work or further study within six months. Recent graduates from our School have pursued careers in academia, journalism, local and central government, charities and NGOs.

How to apply: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/124/social-work#overview

Why study at the University of Kent

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.

• Kent was awarded gold, the highest rating, in the UK Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework
• Kent is ranked 21st in the Times Higher Education (THE) ‘Table of Tables’ 2017
• Kent is ranked 25th in the Complete University Guide 2018
• Kent is ranked 22nd in the Guardian University Guide 2018
• 37% of our academics are from overseas and we have students representing 148 nationalities
• In the most recent research rankings, 97% of research at Kent was found to be of international quality (REF 2014)
• Kent is ranked 17th in the UK* for research intensity and research output (REF 2014)
• Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/why-kent/

* of 122 universities, not including specialist institutions

Postgraduate scholarships and funding

We have a scholarship fund of over £9 million to support our taught and research students with their tuition fees and living costs. Find out more: https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/postgraduate/

English language learning

If you need to improve your English before and during your postgraduate studies, Kent offers a range of modules and programmes in English for Academic Purposes (EAP). Find out more here: https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/international/english.html

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Our MPhil/PhD research degree programme offers you:

Wide variety of research interests
The Institute of Health and Society has a strong mix of academics with a high degree of professional and personal experience, enabling you to get the most out of your programme. Our staff have expertise in social policy, social justice, race and identity, public health, safeguarding, social work, coproduction.

Excellent supervision
Benefit from a professional and challenging relationship with your supervisory team, drawn from experienced academics working at the forefront of their disciplines.

Resources
Access to the University of Worcester’s virtual resources and its state of the art library facilities. The Social Work and Social Policy team at Worcester have an excellent range of resources available to support your learning and your research project, including; extensive regional networks of social work partners able to support research activity. The University has a vibrant Service User and Carer Group, IMPACT, whose members are happy to be involved in research, advise on research or participate as subjects..

Projects being undertaken by current Social Work and Social Policy research students include: social worker influence and perceptions of power; the promotion of social worker resilience in education and practice and child sexual exploitation.

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