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Queen's University Belfast

Caring for Children & Young People with Complex Needs

Overview
Advances in medical care and technology now mean many more children are living with complex healthcare needs and life-limiting illnesses. The aim of the programme is to provide you with the knowledge, skills, training and education to work in caring for children and young people with complex health needs in a hospital and community setting. This interdisciplinary MSc is part of a suite of specialist programmes in childhood studies developed in conjunction with the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work and the School of Psychology.

Caring for Children and Young People with Complex Needs highlights
Student Experience
•The MSc in Caring for Children with Complex Health Needs is flexible and designed to meet the needs of local and international professionals. The programme is delivered via a blended format of online and face-to-face learning and there are several exit points for this course.

Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities associated with this course are outlined below:
At Queen's, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable student to achieve their full academic potential.

On the MSc in Caring for Children and Young People with Complex Health Needs we do this by providing a range of learning experiences which enable our students to engage with subject experts, develop attributes and perspectives that will equip them for life and work in a global society and make use of innovative technologies and a world class library that enhances their development as independent, lifelong learners.

Teaching is across a combination of morning, evening and afternoon classes using a blended learning approach of face to face and online teaching. While many of the modules are taught online, this will include weekly scheduled online tutorials through group video calls.

Examples of the opportunities provided for learning on this course include; lectures, practical experiences, E-Learning technologies, Self-directed study and added value qualifications to enhance employability.

Entry requirements

Entrance requirements
Graduate
Applicants must have a professional qualification in Nursing, Midwifery or Allied Health and Social Care Services or a related discipline. They shall normally hold a relevant 2.2 Honours degree or above, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Applicants with a 3rd Class Honours degree (or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University) will be considered on a case-by-case basis, if they can demonstrate appropriate experience with in-service training, acceptable to the School.

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements should contact the Programme Co-ordinator for advice.

The University's Recognition of Prior Learning Policy provides guidance on the assessment of experiential learning (RPEL). Please visit http://go.qub.ac.uk/RPLpolicy

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Duration

1 year full-time or 3 years part-time.

Teaching Times
Morning / Evening / Afternoon.

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects
Introduction
There is increasing demand for postgraduates with high-level skills in interdisciplinary research, participatory research methods and knowledge of caring for children and young people with complex health needs. This degree is ideal for professionals involved in caring for and supporting these children/young people and their families within health and social care services and NGOs such as public officials, social workers and allied health professionals. Graduates of this programme progress into management and leadership roles, or continue into a research or education capacity.

Further enquiries

Dr Fiona Lynn 
Lecturer
School of Nursing & Midwifery
f.lynn@qub.ac.uk

Subjects taught

Introduction
The MSc programme includes two short compulsory modules, which run across three programmes that relate to childhood studies in the University, and three core modules. Further optional modules will enable students to choose a range of substantive health-related modules and provides the opportunity to choose modules from the associated programmes in the Schools of Social Science, Education and Social Work and the School of Psychology. Students will also undertake their own research in the dissertation module.

Core Modules: Cross Programme
Perspectives on Childhood and Youth
Childhood and Youth Research in Practice

Core Modules
Enhancing Care and Practice for Children with Complex Health Care Needs
Perspectives of Family-centred Health & Social Care
Qualitative Research Methods OR Applied Research Methods and Statistics in Healthcare
Dissertation module

Optional Modules
Qualitative Research Methods
Applied Research Methods and Statistics in Healthcare
Independent Study Module
Successful Leading for Health & Social Care Professionals
Law for Healthcare Professionals

Optional Modules: Cross Programme
Economic Impact of Childhood Interventions
Qualitative Research in Childhood & Youth
Children's Rights and Conceptions of Childhood

Optional Modules - Linked Programme
Foundations of Children's Rights
Children in International Contexts of Adversity
Improving Outcomes with Evidence Based Interventions

(Please note that programmes may change and are subject to a minimum enrolment)This MSc is part of a suite of specialist programmes in childhood studies, developed in conjunction with the Schools of Social Science, Education and Social Work and School of Psychology.

Assessment method

Modules are assessed by a variety of methods, for example, written assignments, multiple choice exam, project reports, and contributions to online forums. Students will have the option of undertaking research work to submit as part of their dissertation. The award of MSc requires the accumulation of 120 M points from the taught modules and a 15,000-20,000 word dissertation, equivalent to 60 M points.