This unit is designed to enhance knowledge and skills to support practice in safeguarding adults and children at risk of harm. Students will be able to critically examine and evaluate sources of knowledge and evidence used to inform professionals’ risk and decision making when safeguarding adults and children.
 
Applicants willl be registered Health and Social Care Professionals or from allied professions (i.e. police, education) working in care and support roles.
 
This unit will refer to the contemporary theory, research, policy, guidance and legislation which supports their practice.

Students will critically examine professional, organisational, social and cultural contexts of practice. They will critically reflect on the management of risk and extend knowledge of self and power when engaging with ‘vulnerable’ adults and children and families and apply this understanding to practice.

Students will receive structured opportunities for critical reflection within a well-resourced and research-informed learning community.

The course will consist of online blended learning and teaching methods, seminars, case studies, guided discussion and debates, student presentations, tutorial support and online resources provided through Bournemouth University’s virtual learning environment.

This course requires 100% attendance.

Applicants will be:

• Health and Social Care Professionals with experience of working adults and/or children in health and social settings
• Hold a relevant professional qualification in health and social care or allied profession
• Have evidence of study at degree level
• Have completed introductory employer training in safeguarding adults and children i.e. Levels 1 & 2 Adult Safeguarding Roles and Competencies for Health Care Staff and/or Safeguarding Children and Young People Roles and Competencies for Healthcare Staff

By the end of the module practitioners will have developed their knowledge and skills and be able to:

1. Apply relevant theory, research, policy and legislation to safeguard adults and children at risk of harm
2. Develop awareness of self in organisational, social and cultural contexts as part of a process of evaluating decision making in complex practice arenas
3. Apply critical reflection to inform and provide a rationale for professional decision making.
4. Develop skills and knowledge to support constructive decision making in professional settings.

Course review:

In order to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in practice to benefit our students we regularly review all of our courses. This course is currently going through this process and we will update this page to give you full information about what we will be offering once the review process has concluded.  These changes will come into effect for all new students from September 2025. Applicants will be notified by our admissions team of any changes.