CHILD WELFAREAND WELLBEING

This exciting and innovative master’s is designed for UK, EU and international professionals working in social work/care, health and education, policy or practice.

By distance learning

MSc / PGDip / PGCertDepartment of Psychology, Social Work and Public Health

ABOUT THE COURSEThis innovative multiprofessional distance learning master’s course offers an integrated focus on child welfare and children, young people and family wellbeing issues.

Distance learning offers exciting opportunities for those who are unable to attend university full-time, but who want to study to an advanced level in a stimulating and dynamic online research environment, by combining the convenience of study at home with the opportunity for regular periods of concentrated online study with other students.

It is designed for UK, EU and international health and social work/care professionals, and other graduates and professionals who are working with children, young people and families at either a practice or policy level. For social workers and health care professionals this course will contribute to ongoing CPD with a focus on learning and continuous improvement. This course covers key contemporary issues, such as safeguarding

and child protection, substance misuse, domestic violence and child and family wellbeing. The course is designed and delivered by a team of academics with a rich track record in research and publication in children and family issues, and aims to develop your:

n ability to critically evaluate contemporary evidence and issues in the promotion of child welfare and wellbeing

n knowledge of theories about children’s cognitive, affective, social and cultural development

n understanding of psychosocial interventions and their effectiveness

n awareness of the political, policy and statutory paradigms within which interventions are based

n skills in working with others in a national and international online community

n professional practice by enhancing your ability to apply a critical and evidence based approach to your work with service users

n undertanding of the multiple factors that correlate with outcomes for children and young people.

MODULES

You will need to complete six single (20 Level 7 credit) modules (including two compulsory* modules) and the triple dissertation module to achieve the MSc in Child Welfare and Wellbeing.

Foundations in Child Welfare and Wellbeing* This module introduces students to advanced study in child welfare and wellbeing and explores the major theoretical approaches that underpin practice with children and their families. Students study ecological and life course approaches to child welfare, drawing on UK and international research evidence.

Vulnerable Children and Young PeopleAdopting a risk and resiliency framework, this module explores children and young people caught in situations of vulnerability and challenge for which they and/or their parents and/or communities may have very little experience, or mechanisms for coping. (Topics include Children in Conflicted Families, Children as Carers, Children in War Zones / Natural Disasters, and more).

Substance Misuse This module covers the scientific knowledge from substance misuse research that has direct relevance to the development of substance misuse policy and practice at local, national and international levels. It examines and critically assesses evidence on what works in preventing and intervening with young people and families in the context of substance misuse.

Dissertation The triple dissertation counts as three single modules. It allows you to carry out and evaluate your own research, or to submit a systematic review or literature review to further understanding and/or development of a specific area of child welfare or wellbeing.

Evidence-Informed Interventions in Child WelfareYou will explore the research literature on evidence-based and developmentally appropriate psychosocial interventions with children and adolescents, and identify their strengths and limitations. Topics include emotional and behavioural dysregulation, children with chronic health conditions and disabilities, and self harm.

Risk and the Protection of ChildrenThis module critically examines contemporary childhood from an international perspective including children’s rights, child welfare and wellbeing, and children’s experiences of harm in society. The module explores current evidence on the signs and symptoms of child maltreatment, including incidence and prevalence rates and the risk factors associated with child abuse and neglect. Child protection interventions and responses to child maltreatment are debated in relation to social and cultural contexts.

Child Protection PracticeThe module seeks to develop the knowledge and skills of a wide range of practitioners in the policy and practice of safeguarding children and young people. Students will explore policy frameworks, agency contexts and models of intervention in child protection and will draw upon their own professional practice as a key tool for learning.

Advanced Research Design* You will be given an opportunity to design and conduct a small research project or dissertation. The focus is on helping you to understand the relationship between methodology and method, and to appreciate the philosophical and theoretical underpinning of research-related decisions and their practical application within a work setting.

THE TEACHING TEAM

POFESSOR JANE APPLETON is professor of Primary and Community Care. Jane has a background in health and her research interests focus on safeguarding children and professional assessments: n www.swph.brookes.ac.uk/dr-jane-appleton

PROFESSOR DAVID FOXCROFT is a chartered psychologist and prevention scientist, and has advised the British government and the World Health Organisation on alcohol and drug misuse prevention for young people:n www.swph.brookes.ac.uk/professor-david-foxcroft

MAXINE FLETCHER is Programme Lead in Social Work. Her research interests include Safeguarding, and Teaching and Learning in Higher Professional Education: n www.swph.brookes.ac.uk/maxine-fletcher

WHO SHOULD APPLY

Students are welcome from a range of backgrounds in education, health and social care. The course is suitable for students who are currently or have experience of working in both the public sector, charities and NGO’s at home or abroad. Applicants working in the area of children, young people and family welfare will benefit from undertaking this course to develop their professional skills and expertise. The course also attracts graduates wanting to gain future employment in this area of work.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

This course supports students in their professional career development as it provides an excellent foundation in the theoretical and research underpinnings of work with children and families. Students undertaking this course have gone on to work for charitable organisations abroad and at home and some have successfully gained professional promotion or developed their leadership and specialist roles.

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?n The course can be taken part-time, including,

on a module by module basis, building to the PGCert (three modules), a PGDip (six modules), or to a full MSc (nine modules including a triple dissertation module)

n It can be studied while you are in full-time or part-time employment

n It combines the convenience of studying at home with the opportunity of regular periods of concentrated online study with other students on the course

n Excellent support in the online environment

n Taught by lecturers who are experts in their subject areas, in the children and families and drug and alcohol fields.

I studied BA Social Work at Oxford Brookes, to enable me to make a lasting impact on children, families, and communities through social change initiatives.

I chose to undertake my MSc at Brookes as the teaching staff have got a strong evidence base and research background which I find particularly interesting. As a social worker in full time employment and a mother the course is very flexible and suits me. Also, some modules are pertinent with my work and my manager feels that I’m a valuable asset to the team and the children’s service.

Pursuing a Masters in Children, Young People and Family Wellbeing will not only enable me to expand my knowledge base, increase my critical awareness and analytical skills in relation to evidence-based interventions it will greatly increase my methodological awareness, critical understanding of current literature, theories and debates in the field of children, young people and family wellbeing. This will be essential in ensuring that my practice will support families to achieve positive outcomes.

Grace Bridgewater, MSc Children, Young People and Family Wellbeing (New course name: MSc Child Welfare and Wellbeing)

160407_4139

Oxford Brookes University actively supports equality in education and welcomes applications from all people representative of our diverse community. For more details please visit www.brookes.ac.uk/services/hr/eod or phone +44 (0) 1865 485929.

SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS Access to the course is open to those who meet the following criteria.

n You must have an honours degree OR equivalent experience, plus fluent writing skills.

n Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate that their level of English is appropriate for study at postgraduate level and must have one of the following or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the university:

n British Council IELTS: level 6.5 or above (with 6 in written English); n Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English

grade A or B; n GCSE or O-Level English Language: grade A or B; n Oxford Brookes University English Language

Entrance Level 4 - pass.

COURSE FEESFurther information about current Home/EU and International Fees, can be found on the course webpage:

Please note: Details of funding arrangements will be required by all students when applying.

CREDIT TRANSFER

Oxford Brookes operates the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). For more information, please visit: http://ec.europa.eu/education/ects/ects_en.htm

HOW TO APPLYYou apply for this course through UCAS Postrgaduate. Through UCAS Postgraduate, you should use the UKPASS portal to make your application, which will then be forwarded directly to our Admissions Office. You should send supporting documentation to us directly using the email addresses on the UKPASS application form.

Applications are dealt with on a first come, first served basis, so please act early to avoid disappointment.

KEY FACTS

The full master’s course comprises of nine modules, all of which are studied through distance learning. The course can be taken part-time, including, on a module by module basis, building to the PGCert (three modules), a PGDip (six modules), or to a full MSc (nine modules including the triple dissertation module). This course offers you three exit points, depending on your individual needs:

Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert 60 credits) Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip 120 credits) Master of Science (MSc 180 credits)

Modules run in Semester 1, Semester 2 and over the Summer Semester. You can start in September or January. You may wish to choose to take single specific modules of interest. Teaching is delivered by distance learning, using the Brookes Virtual Learning Environment.

PROGRAMME ADMINISTRATOR

Tel: +44 (0)1865 488120Email: childwb@brookes.ac.ukWebsite:

Address: Faculty of Health and Life Sciences Jack Straws Lane Marston Oxford, OX3 0FL, UK

Applicants may be asked to submit evidence of their ability to study at postgraduate level. Evidence requested may include, for example, a comprehensive portfolio of relevant prior work experience or a reflection in essay format of 1,500-2000 words on previous work undertaken.

This is a distance learning course so you will need to have reliable access to the internet. You will also need to have good IT skills and be proficient in the use of the internet and online communication.

All information is correct at the time of going to press. Please refer to the University’s website

for the most up-to-date details.

17 April 2016

www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/child-welfare-and-wellbeing/

www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/postgradu-ate/child-welfare-and-wellbeing/