AC6768 - Leading Quality and Service Improvement in Practice

The module provides a range of blended learning and teaching opportunities including, e-lectures, seminars, a system of workshop tutorials for personalised learning, as well as a large group tutorial to help you prepare for the summative assessment. An e-learning platform – Blackboard Ultra - provides access to a range of module materials including e-lectures and e-learning packages. These are available for you to consider in advance of, or as part of attending a taught session (classroom flipping). This enables flexible, enquiry-based learning and opportunities to undertake directed and independent learning in your own time. In seminars and tutorials, you will have opportunity and be encouraged to debate, and discuss contemporary health and social practice for leading and advancement. You will learn alongside other students through an interactive and engaging learning environment, facilitated by academic staff. This gives you opportunity for inter-professional learning. There is opportunity for you to reflect and review your progress on the module with the module team and peers during large and small group tutorials. Peer support is encouraged and facilitated via the small group tutorial system embedded within the module.

The module tutor will introduce the module including the learning outcomes and assessment early in the module. You will be supported by the module team who will guide and support your learning and assessment. The academic team will facilitate workshops to support your learning progress. During these you will engage in self and peer assessment to help you review, plan and address your learning needs. There will also be a large group tutorial, which will help you prepare for the summative assessment. In addition, a 30 minute individual tutorial is available. You will be supported to enhances learning opportunities in applying module theory to your professional practice. Additionally, there are a range of central Student Support and Wellbeing Services “Student Central” operating from Northumbria university libraries. These are available to support you around university academic processes for example, registering a change of circumstances, counselling and mental health support or disability and dyslexia support. The Student Support and Wellbeing Service at Northumbria (Ask4Help) is an excellent point of contact, which is located at Coach Lane Library. The library is open outside of formal scheduled teaching hours and there are student hub areas with access to technology available on both University campuses. Your clinical practice areas may also have active library facilities that you can access.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

By the end of the module you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Identify and conduct an evaluation in your area of practice, leading to understanding and improvements in service provision.

2. Critically synthesise, explore and present a range of appropriate evidence and theories relating to contemporary health and social practice.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

3. Critically evaluate practice to make recommendations for and contribute to quality improvement and ideas for innovation.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Critically appraise and develop the personal attributes required to lead and advance practice, operating effectively within contemporary legal, ethical and professional frameworks.

Both formative and summative assessment opportunities are presented within this module.

Formative assessment
Formative assessment includes: During small group tutorials, students should identify an area of service improvement you will like to evaluate and examine the key drivers behind it. You will receive feedback from your peers and academic tutors. (MLO 1, 2, 4)
Turnitin is available for formative learning – via Blackboard Ultra

Summative Assessment:


You will provide a 2500 word assignment on
‘Evaluating a service improvement project of a specific area of practice relevant to your field.
(MLO 1-4)

N/A

N/A

This module offers 20-credits at Level 6, is suitable for those working in health and social practice. It offers a supported learning environment with a clear focus on developing skills and attributes required to improve service provision. You will have the opportunity to identify and evaluate an area of contemporary practice from your field. Evaluation is a quality improvement process, which seeks to improve service user care and outcomes through the systematic review of services against specific criteria. Following this, recommendations for service improvement are identified. In completing an evaluation, you will source and critique a range of relevant contemporary evidence, apply leadership and change theory and contextualise learning. Completing this module as part of your programme will provide you with the opportunity to explore your leadership knowledge and skills and apply these to your area of practice.