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Emergency Preparedness and Civil Protection (UniCert, CertHE)
“The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 makes provision about civil contingencies, that is, emergency preparedness planning, protection and management. The Act places legal obligations for increased co-operation and information sharing between different emergency services and also non-emergency services that might have a role in an emergency.”
This programme has been designed to support civil protection professionals in the UK to obtain a vocational academic qualification in their chosen profession. It is targeted at all personnel who may become involved in emergencies. Participants might be in the public sector (e.g. Local Authorities, Police, Fire Service and Rescue, Ambulance, Health etc.), the private sector (e.g. utility companies) or NGOs.
The programme aims to develop a shared understanding of multi-agency prevention, preparation, response and recovery arrangements across responding agencies. The programme supports those individuals and organisations which have a role to play in the civil protection framework and those organisations subject to duties under the Act.
Close liaison has taken place with representatives for emergency response within the public sector including Local Authority Emergency planning teams, in the development of the programme, as they understand and determine the required skill set of the learner.
On successful completion of the University Certificate, there is an opportunity for learners to ‘top-up’ this award by studying a further 3 modules totalling 120 credits to achieve a Certificate in Higher Education.
You can apply directly to the University using the Apply Now button at the top of the page.
Blue Light Academy Request Information
Home: £4,200 covering four modules over two years. £2,800 for progression to the Certificate of Higher Education spread over the remaining two years. £1,400 for the 40-credit University Certificate delivered in the first semester of the first year.
Why choose this course?
There are clear benefits of this programme for both the individual and for the wider public, private and not-for-profit organisations.
For the individual, it recognises and builds upon their professional competency and practice by providing an appropriate, focused and useful programme of continuing professional development.
For the organisations, it will help develop academic and practitioner research and hence a corpus of knowledge that will enhance the contribution and assessment of mechanisms to assess, anticipate and plan and prepare for risk.
For more information, please contact the Blue Light Academy.
What you will learn
A Blended Learning Approach
The programme takes a blended learning approach enabling work-based learners to complete much of the programme online at a distance, providing the flexibility they require to accommodate employment and study.
However, face-to-face events allow learners to synthesise and further develop the learning to date. The modules are proposed in progressive, bite-sized chunks of learning, offering learners the opportunity to progress from a University Certificate to a Certificate in Higher Education. Learners are expected to apply theoretical concepts and principles to practical contexts.
Learners are expected to apply theoretical concepts and principles to practical contexts.
The initial programme, the University Certificate, worth 40 Level 4 credits, explores the existing legislative and non-legislative drivers that support the delivery of civil protection duties in the UK. Students will consider the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, the Pollock report and also the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Programme (JESIP) joint doctrine.
The modules studied allow students to achieve a Certificate in Higher Education by exploring the anticipation and assessment of risk, civil protection in the United Kingdom, prevention and preparation for emergencies and also the response to and recovery from civil emergencies. Consideration is given to horizon scanning methodology around diverse risks and threats, governance across multi agency partnerships and the UK concept of operations and globalisation.
Level 4 (Uni Cert & Cert HE)
- Civil Protection in the United Kingdom (40 credits; compulsory)
Level 4 (Cert HE)
- Anticipation and Assessment of Risk (20 credits; compulsory)
- Prevention of and Preparation for Civil Emergencies (30 credits; compulsory)
- Strategic Management for Public Organisations (30 credits; compulsory).
Assessment methods that are both formative and summative are varied, contemporary and, wherever possible link to professional practice. Reading lists are utilised in correlation to online access and databases within the UWTSD VLE and libraries. In addition to given reading lists, module leads will direct students to appropriate texts and references so that each module lead has freedom and fluidity in their recommended reading.
Formative assessment is used extensively throughout the programmes to prepare and rehearse students for the summative assessment; this is achieved via practical exercises undertaken online and/or discussed in scheduled sessions, e.g. case studies, practical work and presentations by learners. Each module is assessed summatively through individual assessment tasks that provide feedback on a learner’s performance for the module but includes feed-forward guidance to support learners in subsequent modules/learning.
A range of summative methods is employed. Exams are not used in the programmes because the assessment focus is on the rehearsal of activities typically undertaken in the emergency planning environment. Coursework and practical tasks are the primary assessment strategies as they facilitate assessment that synthesises knowledge and understanding, cognitive, practical and key skills using methods appropriate to both the level of study and workplace requirements. Assessment includes written assignments, reports, presentations and plans that test knowledge, understanding, cognitive skills and the practical and key (transferable) skills that mirror the skills that the learners will use within their employment role.
Coursework and practical assessment tasks are set in a variety of formats. These include:
- Multi-agency training and exercise plan
- Risk assessments
- Presentations
- Reports
- Written assignments
Swansea Business Campus
View the video below to find out more about our Swansea Business Campus.
Key Information
- Julian Williams
- Bronwen Victoria Williams (Academic Director)
- Stephen Chapman
- Patrick Rees
- Edd Latham
- Dr. Wyn Price
- Julie Hicks
Relevant professional experience
One of the concerns of senior individuals involved in the planning and response to recent emergency incidents in Wales and the UK is that there are very few opportunities for individuals to develop their skills in this field.
The aim is to provide a programme and suite of modules that will align the right skills, powers and experience to meet challenging civil protection requirements. As the recent pandemic has proved planning and preparation for an emergency is essential and there is a need to ensure that continuous professional development is available which is academically accredited and recognises the skills and knowledge of people required by the role. This programme provides this accredited CPD route.
The skills gained during the programme are also transferable across professions or organisations.
There are no additional costs associated with this programme, although students would be expected to have access to IT equipment and would have to cover own travel costs to campus.
You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries section.
Please visit our Accommodation pages for more information
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions related to the University or to this course in particular.
