POL6092 - Policing Mental Health, Vulnerability & Risk

Objectives:

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

Define 'vulnerability' in the context of operational policing and explain the personal aspect of vulnerability and trauma.

Explain the national drivers for providing a professional and ethical service to individuals who are, or may be, vulnerable, have suffered harm or be at risk of harm

Understand concepts and theories of how a person becomes a victim and the risk factors of the vulnerable

Understand theories about the onset of offending and the impacts of early intervention and evaluate what works in repeat offending

Evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches (by professionals and the police) in supporting or managing vulnerable people or people at risk of harm

Content:

This module explores the complexities involved in policing vulnerable people in society. Students will understand vulnerability and the theories and concepts around how a person can become a victim. Students will explore contemporary vulnerability issues such as child sexual exploitation, modern slavery, child criminal exploitation and online abuse. The module evaluates evidence-based models of policing to protect vulnerable people with specific reference to domestic abuse, exploitation, and mental ill-health. Reference will be made to how vulnerable people are supported by the police and other agencies and how risk is managed. Multi-agency working will be a theme throughout this module, introducing case reviews and the management of offenders.

Students will study the concept of ‘vulnerability’ as it applies to policing, determining the factors that lead to harm and risk. Students will focus on risk identification and management exploring the effectiveness of risk assessment tools used within policing. Whilst studying various aspects of vulnerability, students will draw upon the national drivers for the police service in providing a professional and ethical service to individuals. There will be a particular focus on child sexual exploitation and the findings from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation 2014. Students will explore how vulnerable people can get drawn into exploitative situations and how they can become a target for perpetrators. The emerging concept of ‘country lines’ will be addressed and how gangs target vulnerable people. The findings from Serious Case Reviews will be incorporated into this module to understand how valuable information sharing and multi-agency work is in protecting vulnerable people. Students will understand how child protection cases such as Baby P, Victoria Climbie and Daniel Pelka have shaped the way in which professionals respond to child protection. Students will review high profile cases to understand the different approaches used by professionals in supporting and managing vulnerability, drawing upon lessons learnt from reviews. The legislation and reports underpinning areas within this module include; Sexual Offences Act 2003, Serious Crime Act 2015, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Mental Health Act 1983, Code of Practice Mental Health Act 2015, Care Act 2014, Code of Practice for Victims of Crime 2015, Working together to Safeguard Children 2018, Children Act 1989 and 2004, Information sharing: Advice for practitioners Providing Safeguarding Services to Children, Young People, Parents and Carers 2018, Safeguarding Disabled Children – Practice Guidance 2009, Achieving Best Evidence 2011, Domestic violence Crime and Victims Act 2014, Reflections on child sexual exploitation - A report by Louise Casey, Jay Report 2014, Evidence-based models of policing to protect children from sexual exploitation, various Serious Case Reviews and Domestic Homicide Reviews.

Learning and Teaching Information:

Lectures
Hours: 40
Intended group size: 25-40

Guided independent study
Hours: 160

Further details relating to assessment
Students will undertake a literature review to evaluate current academic research and theory in relation to policing mental health, vulnerability and risk, and the importance of sharing information, multi-agency working and an effective police response.

Other information
The module must be passed (minimum 40) as a requirement of the College of Policing and cannot be condoned for marginal failure

Assessment:

Fact File

Module Coordinator - PRS_CODE=
Level -
Credit Value - 20
Pre-Requisites - NONE
Semester(s) Offered -

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