Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Forensic Issues drafted

Program Overview

The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Forensic Issues (Distance Learning) program from the University of Kent's Tizard Centre equips professionals with expert knowledge and skills in supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in forensic settings. Through a comprehensive curriculum and innovative teaching methods, this program offers foundational knowledge, promotes evidence-based practice, and fosters values-based care. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles in health and social care, including work in learning disability teams, service management, and research.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Forensic Issues (Distance Learning) program is a postgraduate course offered by the University of Kent's Tizard Centre. It is designed for individuals working or aspiring to work in forensic service lines for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The program aims to provide students with:

• Detailed knowledge of intellectual and developmental disabilities and forensic issues.

• An evidence-based critical understanding of intellectual and developmental disabilities and forensic issues.

• Values-based, ethically stringent practice and/or research in intellectual and developmental disabilities and forensic issues.

• The skills to play a leading role in public services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and forensic issues.

The program covers topics such as:

• Aetiology, assessment, and treatment of offending and/or offending-like behaviour in people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
• Support for service users to lead meaningful, law-abiding lives in the community.
• The current legal and policy framework surrounding specialist forensic services.
• Opportunities for practice and/or research in the field.

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Unseen examinations.

• A mixture of essays and assignments.

Teaching:

The program is taught by expert faculty who are leaders in their field. They utilize innovative teaching methods to bring the subject to life.

Careers:

Graduates of the program are well-equipped for a range of professional roles in health and social care, including:

• Working as psychologists in learning disability or behavioural specialists in community learning disability teams.

• Service management of development roles.

• Clinical psychology training or a PhD.

The program also provides the necessary skills to work in secure services or forensic community teams.

Other:

• The Tizard Centre is at the forefront of learning and research in autism, intellectual disability, and community care.
• The Centre received a Queen’s Anniversary Prize in recognition of its outstanding work in the field.
• The postgraduate diploma and certificate are approved by the British Psychological Society for the purposes of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• The Tizard Centre provides consultancy to organizations in the statutory and independent sectors, both nationally and internationally, in diversified areas such as service assessment, person-centred approaches, active support, and adult protection.
• The Centre also teaches a range of short courses, often in conjunction with other organizations.
• Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings, and books.
• All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on the Global Skills Award Programme.
• Current research areas include: social inequalities and community care; IDD and challenging behaviour; offending and IDD; early intervention; autism; abuse; service quality.
• The Tizard Centre runs an annual seminar series where staff or guest lecturers present the results of research or highlight recent developments in the field of social care.
• The Jim Mansell Memorial Lecture invites public figures or distinguished academics to discuss topics that could interest a wider audience.
• The Centre also publishes the Tizard Learning Disability Review (in conjunction with Emerald Publishing) to provide a source of up-to-date information for professionals and carers.