Safeguarding Adults - Law, Policy And Practice - Ma

at Keele University

Core modules

LAW-40033 The Emergence of Adult Safeguarding (30 credits, Semester 1)
This module provides the background and context to the advanced critique and investigation of adult safeguarding. It includes an examination of the emergence of adult safeguarding and recognition of abuse; consideration of demographic changes, ageing and diversity; discussion of key concepts such as autonomy, protection and vulnerability from legal and ethical perspectives; as well as considering particular forms of abuse that have emerged as concerns in their own right in recent years.
 

LAW-40032 Safeguarding Adults: Interventions (30 credits, Semester 1)
What remedies are available in law and practice to protect and prevent adults from abuse? Are they used and are they effective? Or would alternative or improved methods better protect people from harm? These are the questions that this module focuses on through a consideration of a range of legal and other interventions and responses to the abuse of adults.
 

LAW-40030 Dissertation (60 credits, Semester 3)
The production of a 15,000 to 20,000-word dissertation provides an exciting opportunity to work under the supervision of an expert in your chosen field of interest, demonstrating a level of knowledge and understanding far beyond what you have learned in class. You’ll be supported to develop the research skills needed to conduct an extended piece of work on a topic of your choice, analysing existing relevant research. Some students start the course with a clear idea about what they want to write about, but others find and develop particular interests as the course progresses. Examples of recent dissertation topics by students which reflect the breadth of the subject include the following:

• Domestic Homicide Reviews: Understanding why some victims are not identified as being at risk before their deaths.
• Drug and Alcohol’s role in domestic abuse: Is it a contributory cause or an excuse?
• Mental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty: What impact will the proposed legislative changes have on the NHS?
• The Impact of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards on Policy and Practice in Adult Social Care: A Systematic Review of Local Government Ombudsman Decisions.
• Exploring the ethical implications of discharging people experiencing multiple exclusion and homelessness back on to the streets.
• To what extent do the police, health, and social care providers in England and Wales adequately address the safeguarding needs of same sex domestic abuse survivors/victims?
• Exploring relational autonomy: A study on its potential to better protect autonomy in the sexual lives of people with intellectual disabilities under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
• What can an analysis of Safeguarding Adults Reviews tell us about the use of the Mental Health Act 1983 in adult safeguarding?
   

Applicants should have a first or second class honours degree in law, social work, healthcare practice (nursing, or medicine), or a related discipline such as criminology, sociology, or politics. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may still be eligible to apply for the course if they have appropriate professional qualifications and/or experience. Please contact the Programme Director for further advice.
 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

• IELTS 6.5

International - Full time £16,800 per year
 

This MA will equip you with up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding regulations, guidance and management practice as it relates largely to adults, preparing you to evaluate, develop and implement safeguarding laws, procedures and policies.
 

In addition to the specialist knowledge you’ll gain, you’ll develop a range of essential transferable skills in analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving and communications. This can broaden your career options in a wide variety of roles, ranging from policy-making to teaching or research. The specialist research skills you learn also provide a strong foundation for pursuing further study at doctoral level for those interested in doing so.
 

On successful completion of this course, you could pursue safeguarding roles within higher education, sports clubs, local authorities, charities, NGOs, and social care.