Introduction to Forensic Psychology and Professional Practice

PSYC62301 Introduction to Forensic Psychology and Professional Practice 30 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 7 Polly Turner Unit coordinator Division of Psychology and Mental Health 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 15.0 The unit will begin with an overview of the Qualification in Forensic Psychology (QFP) to enable you to develop an understanding of the formal applied training route should you wish to become a Registered Forensic Psychologist. This will emphasise the importance of reflective practice and the necessity of blending theory with practice, contextualising forensic psychological practice and introducing you to the need for independent future development. The focus on reflective practice will allow you to maximise your gains from the MSc by focusing your personal learning objectives in order to support effective progression to applied psychology training, other relevant careers or further academic study. There is significant focus on ethics and professional practice, clarifying the differing roles of the BPS and HCPC and analysing ethical dilemmas. Teaching on the unit utilises clinical examples to facilitate critical thinking, application and debate around ethics and professional practice broadly. Students will examine core theories of crime and offending behaviour to underpin the teaching for the rest of the course. The forensic environment will be reviewed, considering culture and impact of working with forensic clients. The unit will focus on ways of working with special populations and victims of crime. Finally, the unit will investigate core psychological theory and models underpinning the consultancy and training roles within forensic psychology practice.   The unit will begin with an overview of the Qualification in Forensic Psychology (QFP) to enable you to develop an understanding of the formal applied training route should you wish to become a Registered Forensic Psychologist. This will emphasise the importance of reflective practice and the necessity of blending theory with practice, contextualising forensic psychological practice and introducing you to the need for independent future development. The focus on reflective practice will allow you to maximise your gains from the MSc by focusing your personal learning objectives in order to support effective progression to applied psychology training, other relevant careers or further academic study. There is significant focus on ethics and professional practice, clarifying the differing roles of the BPS and HCPC and analysing ethical dilemmas. Teaching on the unit utilises clinical examples to facilitate critical thinking, application and debate around ethics and professional practice broadly. Students will examine core theories of crime and offending behaviour to underpin the teaching for the rest of the course. The forensic environment will be reviewed, considering culture and impact of working with forensic clients. The unit will focus on ways of working with special populations and victims of crime. Finally, the unit will investigate core psychological theory and models underpinning the consultancy and training roles within forensic psychology practice.   Provide you with an introduction to key themes and theories underpinning forensic psychology and mental health, specifically in relation to professional practice. The unit aims to equip you with an understanding of the forensic environment, specialist forensic populations and ways of working across the criminal justice system. This overview is rooted in core theories of offending behaviour. It is our aim that this unit affords you insight, at Stage I level, to core aspects of forensic psychology practice. These areas are likely to be new to you as they are not typically addressed in forensic undergraduate units. The unit also aims to highlight the link between Stage I and Stage II; to assist you in tailoring and furthering your learning throughout the MSc.   By the end of the unit you should be able to;<ul><li>Critically evaluate and synthesise core psychological theory relevant to forensic</li><li>settings(e.g. theoretical concepts to explain the forensic environment, the process of consultancy, understanding of organisational culture in forensic settings);</li><li>Critically evaluate approaches/interventions for working with different client groups in forensic/criminal justice settings;</li><li>Interpret and apply ethics and professional practice standards using forensic practice based examples (with reference to BPS and HCPC practice guidance);</li><li>Demonstrate originality and independence in solving problems, planning and implementing tasks;</li><li>Independently utilise resources to develop knowledge;</li><li>Employ effective written and verbal communication skills;</li><li>Work effectively with subgroup of peers to analyse and construct a formal presentation of an ethical dilemma from a forensic case example;</li><li>Demonstrate skills in applying knowledge of reflection to critique and develop own learning;</li><li>Demonstrate sensitivity, respectful and non-discriminatory language in relation to forensic clients/settings.</li></ul> This unit will develop student skills essential to applied psychology and forensic/forensic mental health practice, namely, application of ethical principles and professional practice standards. The unit will also increase knowledge relating to the forensic environment, current practices working with special populations, as well as the practice of consultancy and training. The teaching and learning methods involve a blend of both online asynchronous learning and face to face lectures and workshops. Teaching will be delivered in an interactive workshop format. Online components will require you to engage with online materials developed for the purpose of preparation for teaching, including video clips, interactive demonstrations and guided activities. Directed study components comprise additional exercises and specified reading related to each session. The guided learning will require you to access interactive e-resources to further build knowledge of the forensic environment and specialist forensic populations. Canvas will be used to facilitate online discussion of material and to present resources such as resources for each session and access to online reading lists.   0 Other 100% Analysis of policy - 50%Ethics case study analysis - 50% Student representation plays a vital and important part in helping the programme maintain and improve the quality of its provision. Student representatives liaise between staff and students on matters of concern to either side; provide two-way feedback on the course and on teaching quality, and promote active student involvement in course development. Student representatives are also invited to speak confidentially to the external examiner at the end of the academic year, and to participate in end-of-year course review meetings. Representatives are asked to feedback information from these meetings to the other students. In addition, at the end of each semester students are asked to complete an on-line evaluation questionnaire for each course unit they have taken. At the end of the course they complete a general evaluation for their overall programme of study. This anonymous feedback is circulated to the unit lead. This helps to ensure quality assurance.   MSc Forensic Psych&Mental Hlth MSc Forensic Psych&Mental Hlth PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MSc Forensic Psych&Mental Hlth MSc Forensic Psych&Mental Hlth PGDT Taught Component Mandatory N You will be expected to supplement your reading, and source your own relevant articles as demonstrated by your blackboard learning. Additional contemporary publications will be discussed during the unit.<ul><li>Bush, S, Denney, R. L, Connell, M. (2020) Ethical practice in forensic psychology: a guide for mental health professionals; American Psychological Association Campling,  </li><li>P., Davies, S. & Farquharson, G. (2004) From toxic institutions to therapeutic environments: Residential settings in mental health services. Gaskell.</li><li>Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (2008) Psychology in Prisons (2ndEdition).BPS Blackwell.</li><li>Crighton, D., & Towl, G. (2015) Forensic Psychology (2nd Edition). BPS Blackwell.  </li><li>Ireland, J.L., Ireland, C.A., Gredecki, N., & Fisher, M (2017) The Routledge International Handbook of Forensic Psychology in Secure Settings. Routledge.</li><li>Gredecki, N., & Turner, P. (2022) Forensic Psychology: Topics in Applied Psychology. Routledge.</li><li>McGuire, J., & Duff, S. (2018). Forensic psychology: routes through the system. Palgrave Macmillan.  </li></ul> Practical classes & workshops 55 0 245