Course information

Course highlights

• This course explores Adult Support, Protection and Safeguarding, building from first principles to application of evidence based research in practice.
• The online open learning materials are written in an interactive style and are designed to encourage students to use their own workplace experiences as a basis for new learning and development of research skills.
• Students have full electronic access to the University of St Andrews library resources.
  

Teaching format

The Postgraduate Certificate in Adult Support, Protection and Safeguarding is a part-time distance learning course run by the School of Psychology and Neuroscience. The programme is intended to be studied within one calendar year from October to September.

The course is delivered via online modules through the University of St Andrews' online electronic platform. Students will have access to research publications, electronic databases and the University's library resources. Full telephone and email support will be provided by the course director.

Over the course of the year, students will take six compulsory modules. Typically, each module is completed within two months and requires 100 hours of total study time, including completion of assessments. Module teaching materials are delivered online where students will have access to additional reference materials.

Students complete assessments online. Assessment methods include multiple choice questions, short answer assignments, reference searches and analysis of published research. Students will also complete a structured analysis of a given case study. There is no final exam for the course.

University tutors are available for support via email and telephone.

Further particulars regarding curriculum development.

Modules

Each module typically comprises:

• one introductory briefing day
• guided online teaching and learning materials
• 100% coursework assessment

For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the latest module catalogue.

Compulsory modules

Modules are completed in the following order:

1. The Evidence on the Abuse of Adults: considers definitions of abuse, the nature of harm and people most at risk from harm.
2. The Ecological Model of Adult Protection: considers how characteristics of vulnerable adults, perpetrators, relationship and environmental factors must all be taken into account in service agency policies and regulatory frameworks.
3. The Individual at Risk and Significant Others: looks at how investigations of allegations of harm need to be conducted systematically, taking into account issues of capacity and consent, training, and dealing with the consequences of harm.
4. Protective Service Designs: the Setting and Service Agency: analyses the impact of service design on the degree of risk of harm for adults with learning disabilities.
5. Regulatory Frameworks and Adult Protection Procedures: looks at how legislation and policy are translated into regulatory frameworks to protect and safeguard vulnerable adults.
6. Ecological Model Assignment: provides information and instruction for completion of the written module assignment; a service-based audit of adult protection.

The modules listed ran in the academic year 2015-2016 and are indicative of this course. There is no guarantee that these modules will run for 2016 entry.

Take a look at the most up-to-date modules in the module catalogue.

Admission to the University of St Andrews is governed by our Admissions policy.

Curriculum development

As a research intensive institution, the University ensures that its teaching references the research interests of its staff, which may change from time to time. As a result, programmes are regularly reviewed with the aim of enhancing students' learning experience. Our approach to course revision is described online. (PDF, 72 KB).

Tuition fees

The University will clarify compulsory fees and charges it requires any student to pay at the time of offer. The offer will also clarify conditions for any variation of fees. The University’s approach to fee setting is described online. (PDF, 84 KB).