Supporting Families with Complex Health and Enhanced Support Needs
Explore influences which add complexity to family life where enhanced support needs are required for some episodes of care or where sustained enhanced support is necessary.
Key facts
Overview
The key focus of this module is concerned with gaining knowledge and understanding on the more complex needs associated with physical, emotional and mental health of children and families with the associated enhanced health and social care needs for them.
You will have the opportunity to consider many influences which add complexity to family life where enhanced support needs are required for some episodes of care or where sustained enhanced support is necessary. These will range from families who may have a premature or ill baby, where disorders or syndromes are suspected or diagnosed, such as neurodivergent or may be where children or babies have a significant life reducing diagnosis. It will also include consideration of parental physical and mental ill health on children and the impact of parents with addictions. You’ll explore the support needs of parents who have experienced trauma, been in the child protection system themselves as children or are care experienced.
This module is a core module for student health visitors on the MSc Specialist Community Public Health Nurse (Health Visiting); however, it would also be relevant for school nurses, health and social care professionals working with children, young people, and their families.
This module will help you to:
- understand the lived experience of the child and family with enhanced support needs;
- understand underpinning concepts, theories, policy and legislation;
- understand and conduct assessments, analysis, planning and review of care;
- identify, conceptualise, define and apply the skills and attributes required in your key professional role and engage with families, lead and plan work with relevant professionals to provide effective care.
This module will appeal to those who work directly with children, young people and families, as well, as leaders and managers of children and family services.
This module is offered by the multi-award-winning Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, led by a group of world-leading academics with strong and established research records, real nursing experience and a wealth of world-class publications. They will support you both personally and academically.
Entrance requirements
You are required to have the ability to study at degree level (minimum academic level SCQF Level 9).
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Objectives
You will:
1. Critically explore the enhanced health support needs for children with complex health and social care needs to uphold and promote their human rights and facilitate access to a range of appropriate and effective resources
2. Critically evaluate relevant concepts, theories, research, policy and legislation for children with complex health and enhanced support needs to address inequalities in health.
3. Display mastery in understanding approaches to effective delivery of services for children with complex health and enhanced support needs, respectfully engaging with families, leading and working alongside professional colleagues in the team to support the child and family in practice.
4. Prioritise care for children with complex health and enhanced support needs, appraising the strengths, changing circumstances and relationships on child and family health and wellbeing, identifying appropriate measures to manage identified risks and unmet needs within a multi-disciplinary forum.
5. Critically appraise the skills and attributes required of key professional roles to work in partnership with families, practice safely and effectively and self-manage casework.
Structure and content
This module utilises a blended approach to teaching and learning to stimulate critical discussion and enhance learning, generate deeper understanding and foster the development of graduate attributes. The learning and teaching activities are varied and are aligned to the intended learning outcomes. They include:
- Lectures
- Group work activities
- Online discussions
- Podcasts
- e-learning activities
- Independent study
You’ll have the opportunity to attend a masterclass delivered by expert and keynote speakers providing real world experience and up to date research which will enable you to apply theoretical learning from the module content to key topics that reflect public health priorities.
Delivery and assessment
The module will be assessed by means of a 100% individual assignment.
You will be required to complete a discursive essay based on the selection of one of three case studies for a child with complex health and enhanced support needs.
Module coordinator
Employability
This module supports the development of a wide range of skills including critical thinking and writing, advanced personal organisation, planning and evaluation skills, and advanced communication skills.
What next?
Contact us
If you have any questions about entry requirements for our continuing professional development and short courses, contact our Admissions team.
For all other questions, please use our enquiry form.