Child Care Law and Practice

Child Care Law and Practice - MA

Keele’s popular and long-running MA Child Care Law and Practice is one of the few courses within the UK to adopt a truly interdisciplinary approach to children’s safeguarding, drawing on our academic expertise in law, social care, medicine and health. Predominantly focused on the UK legal jurisdiction, you will examine the legal and policy frameworks that affect children, their rights and the role of families. Ideal for recent graduates or working professionals, you can develop specialist knowledge and gain a recognised qualification studying flexibly over one, two or five years in short, intensive teaching blocks.

Month of entry

October

Mode of study

Full time, Part time

Location

Keele University campus

Subject area

Fees for 2023 entry

UK - Full time £8,000 per year. Part time £4,400 per year.
International - £17,700 per year.

Duration of study

Full time - 1 year, Part time - 2 years, Modular - Up to 5 years

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Why study Child Care Law and Practice at Keele University?

Taught by staff with broad expertise in children's rights, child exploitation, international child law, healthcare and youth justice

Block teaching delivery allows you to study and work full-time and this course benefits from essay-based assessment

Discuss, share experiences and learn about different regional practices with a diverse student cohort

Opportunities to hear direct from guest lecturers with specialist practice and research expertise, including members of the judiciary

Keele is an internationally recognised centre for legal research with world-leading impact

Course summary

With increases in the number of children suffering abuse, neglect and poverty and growing numbers of young people taken into care here in the UK, safeguarding of children remains a key priority both at home and globally.

This course offers the opportunity to delve into the complexities of law and social policy relating to children and young people, examining the relationships and interactions between legal institutions, the various professionals and agencies involved with childcare, and society in general.

Practical in focus and constantly updated to reflect new safeguarding issues that arise, the course concentrates primarily on UK child law – including the Child Care Act 2016, the Children Act 2004 and related legislation – while being mindful of the global challenges that child protection and welfare presents. This means you explore everything from trafficking and modern slavery of children, to adoption, child arrangements orders and removal of children into care.

Our broad, interdisciplinary curriculum draws from a variety of disciplines including public and private law, sociology, health, education, social work and social policy. It is predominantly taught by staff from Keele Law School, whose wide-ranging expertise covers children’s rights, children and medicine, the exploitation of children, youth justice, ‘children on the move’, international child law and harms perpetrated against children.

However, you will also benefit from the insight and experiences of colleagues within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science in areas such as childcare practice and medicine, focusing for example, on issues around decision making, confidentiality in respect of decision making, medical treatment, and mental health.

This gives you significant flexibility when choosing the topic to research for your dissertation which could, for example, tackle issues in child trafficking, child protection, adoption, children and mental health, child carers, the sexual exploitation of children, children and consent, innovative treatments, pregnancy and negligence, to name but a few.

Taught at Keele for over 30 years, this course will be of interest to anyone with an interest in child care law and practice, including child protection and safeguarding, from professional or non-professional backgrounds. As well as recent graduates, the course attracts social workers, solicitors, teachers, various other educational professionals and nurses, which provides an opportunity to discuss and share experiences with peers who work in different fields and sectors in other parts of the country and across the globe.

On graduation, you’ll not only have increased your knowledge, skills and confidence to develop or deliver policy and practice in this complex and critical field, but also have a recognised qualification that could lead to promotion, greater responsibility or more specialist roles. For example, graduates of the course have moved to positions as Children's Guardians, Safeguarding leads, judges. The course also prepares you for further study at doctoral level with some students then moving into academia.

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Course structure

The MA in Child Care Law and Practice provides a theoretically informed, practice-based understanding of issues related to the social, political and cultural contexts, law, policy and practice of safeguarding children and young people.

Through a thorough interrogation of case law, statute and law reform processes, policy documents, work practices, guidance and research, it aims to prepare you to evaluate real problems in this area, justifying professional recommendations and decisions.

The programme is purposefully structured in such a way that allows you to maintain full-time employment whilst studying, particularly important for self-funding students seeking professional development or looking to switch careers.

Starting in October, it can be studied one year full-time, over two years part-time or up to five years if you choose to study on a modular basis. Teaching is delivered in short, intense blocks of typically three days’ duration. The part-time programme requires only 13 days attendance in Year 1 and two days in Year 2.

On the MA, you will complete 180 credits, which comprises four 30-credit taught modules and a 60-credit dissertation, which is studied over the course of a year on a topic of your choice with individual supervision. You’ll also develop the research skills and critical analysis necessary to successfully complete this masters programme, with particular emphasis on interdisciplinary socio-legal research methods.

The information below outlines a one-year full-time study schedule. When taken part-time, the four modules are taught in the first year, with the dissertation completed in the second year. Alternatively, you can choose to study one or more taught modules per year for a period of up to four years, followed by the dissertation in your final year.

Core Taught Modules

LAW-40001 Foundations and Principles of Childcare Law and Practice (30 credits, Semester 1)

This module introduces you to the foundations to childcare law and practice, covering childhood, children’s rights, law, social policy, and families. Topics may include by way of example: welfare; international legal perspectives on children’s rights; social policy and society; children and family crisis; the Human Rights Act; Private Child Law; support versus risk; and child protection (social work perspectives).

Law-40002 Contemporary Issues in Childcare Law and Practice (30 credits, Semester 1)

This module aims to integrate a detailed examination of the legal framework and current child protection practice with an examination of some of the understandings and explanatory models which underpin existing and developing knowledge about child maltreatment. It seeks to locate such knowledge within a social, cultural and political context and will focus in particular on current, emerging and often controversial child protection themes and dilemmas. You will cover a range of topical issues such as youth justice, international perspectives on exploited children, forced marriage, asylum and ‘modern slavery’ or child trafficking.

Optional Modules

To complete the MA, you will study additional modules to the value of 60 credits. The availability of modules will depend on timetabling, but in 2021/22 students chose between the following sets of modules.

LAW-40003 Looked After Children (30 credits)

Children looked after by the local authority, who are unable to be cared for by their own parents may experience a range of different placements. Through the lens of social policy, social work practice and theory, this module focuses on the legal framework, the public private crossover and special guardianship, fostering, and removal at birth. It is informed by policy including the Quality Protects initiative and new law in the form of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 and associated regulations and guidance. Specific issues addressed include: openness in placements; who can adopt; fostering; residential care; and leaving care. The experience of looked after children in education and the criminal justice system are surveyed in conjunction with life chances and social outcomes.

Law-40004 Children and Medicine (30 credits)

This module investigates the legal implications of ethical problems relating to medical aspects of reproduction, birth and childhood (up to 18 years). It examines a diverse range of issues from pregnancy, childbirth and negligence, to medical experimentation and children, and children and mental health law. Topics may include: reproductive freedom and reproductive technology; abortion and protection of the foetus (men's and women's rights); medical treatment of the foetus; liability for in utero injuries; wrongful birth and wrongful life; treatment of seriously disabled new-borns; consent or refusal of medical treatment; and confidentiality.

OR one of the above with a choice of module from the MA in Safeguarding Adults, Law, Policy or Practice, including: Mental capacity, and Carers and the Law.

Dissertation

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.

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Law academic in discussion with students

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Your career

The law and practices which protect children from harm, abuse or neglect regularly change, which is why our MA is continually refreshed to support practitioners and others whose work or research interests lie in a wide range of services for children, young people, their parents or carers.

The MA in Child Care Law and Practice is designed to equip you with up-to-date knowledge of the law and safeguarding regulations, guidance and management practice as it relates to children and young people preparing you to evaluate, develop and implement safeguarding procedures and policies.

In addition to the specialist knowledge you will gain, you will 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 local and health authorities, higher education, the police, charities, sports clubs, NGOs and social care.

For those already working in healthcare or related fields, it can provide a platform for senior leadership positions and areas of greater responsibility. It will build your confidence in handling workplace decisions that have ethical or legal implications, enhancing your knowledge, skills and practice in developing and delivering safeguarding strategies.

Past students can be found working in NHS England, the judiciary, for the Church of England Safeguarding Council, NSPCC, and as solicitors and barristers including Queen’s Counsel.

Positions may include:

Academic
Social worker
Consultant
Doctor
Nurse
Police officer
Policy officer
Probation officer
Social worker
Solicitor
Barrister
Teacher

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Teaching, learning and assessment

How you'll be taught

Run by the School of Law at Keele University, this course is taught by a team of experienced academics, active researchers and expert practitioners with expertise in law, policy and ethics.

The four taught modules comprise 20 hours of contact time, delivered as an intensive three or four-day block of teaching. You will take part in tutor-led seminars and discussions, small group exercises, and case studies. Each module is accompanied by extensive independent study, and throughout the course you will be encouraged and required to undertake independent reading to both supplement and consolidate the classes and to broaden individual knowledge and understanding of the subject.

You will receive initial guidance on how to identify, locate and use materials available in libraries and elsewhere (including electronic sources). You will also receive lots of academic training and support, for example, in how to write essays and construct arguments in ethical issues.

While away from Keele, between teaching blocks, you will benefit from directed reading, additional resources posted on the KLE (Keele’s virtual learning environment), as well as the support of your academic mentor, the programme director, and the learning development support tutor, all of whom are based in the School of Law.

As part of the course, you will be allocated an academic mentor, who can provide academic support. You also have the option of 1:1 appointments with learning development advisors.

As well as the guest lectures organised as part of the course, the School also organises a wide range of seminars, workshops and lectures, which students are welcome to attend. This provides opportunities to hear direct from leading researchers and external practitioners, who will often share enlightening insight into different perspectives, mindsets and experiences from around the world.

Teaching schedule

The 2022 teaching schedule for the four taught modules is outlined below. Outside of the taught elements, you will be able to consult with supervisors and will have access the University’s learning and teaching facilities and support services.

Induction Day: Tuesday 11 October 2022

LAW-40001 Foundations and Principles: Wednesday 12 October - Friday 14 October 2022

LAW-40015 MA Training Day: Monday 17 October 2022

LAW-40003 Looked After Children: Wednesday 7 December - Friday 9 December 2022

LAW 40004 Children and Medicine: Monday 8 February - Wednesday 10 February 2023

LAW-40015 Second MA Dissertation Training Day: Monday 13 February 2023

LAW-40002 Contemporary Issues: Wednesday 19 April - Friday 21 April 2023

How you will be assessed

Assessment is based on coursework and a dissertation. There are no exams. Assessment of each taught module is by written assignment of approximately 5,000 words each. A choice of essay titles is provided for each module. The pass mark for all assessments is 50%. Detailed written and, if requested, oral feedback is provided on all coursework.

Guidelines are provided for the production of coursework assignments and dissertations and these are reinforced by seminars and individual supervision, which focus specifically on essay planning and writing, and research methodology.

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Keele Postgraduate Association

Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.

KPA interior

Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.

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Our expertise

Teaching staff

For 35 years, Keele School of Law has been at the forefront of law and ethics education. The programme is delivered on an inter-disciplinary basis by an international faculty, which has a diverse body of expertise and qualifications in a number of disciplinary areas of practice and research.

You will be taught by leading researchers in a supportive learning environment on the beautiful Keele University campus. Our Law academics have wide ranging knowledge of children and the law, with expertise in children’s rights, children and medicine, the exploitation of children, youth justice, looked after children, international child law and harms perpetrated against children.

The School has a long-standing reputation for excellence in research that draws on socio-legal perspectives and that makes a difference in society.

Teaching team includes:

Dr Elizabeth Faulkner, Lecturer – Elizabeth’s interests are in international child law, human rights, crime, and the law, specialising in human trafficking, modern slavery, exploitation, sexual violence, and contemporary legal responses to children’s rights, specifically focusing upon the movement, agency, and the exploitation of children during the 20th and 21st century. She currently acts as Coordinator for the Emerging Scholars and Practitioners on Migration Issues (ESPMI) Network, which brings together emerging scholars, practitioners, policymakers, journalists, artists, and all those involved in forced migration and refugee studies.

Dr Jane Krishnadas, Senior Lecturer – Jane’s research is on feminist socio-legal rights theory and practice in reconstruction in the global north and south. She considers intersecting gender, caste, class and religious identities regarding political representation, housing, religious laws, land, employment and domestic violence. She is a Research Advisor for ‘Brighter Futures, Creative Support, Housing and Employment’

Professor Alison Brammer, Head of School – Alison has been Head of Keele Law School since 2016. Her specialist interests are Social Work Law, Family and Child Law and Safeguarding. A qualified (non-practising) solicitor, prior to her academic career, she was employed as a local authority solicitor specialising in Social Services work, including child protection, adoption, mental health and community care, as well as some education and planning work. Alison has spoken at national and international conferences, is heavily involved with training work for Social Services Departments, and is Legal Editor of the Journal of Adult Protection.

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