Course overview
This apprenticeship will appeal to doctors, nurses and paramedics working in a sexual violence referral centre, within sexual violence services and police custodial settings, where the learner provides evidence for the police. The course develops their understanding of the ethical frameworks of healthcare within the Criminal Justice System and strengthens their complex decision making regarding the individual’s rights, standards of professional bodies, public interest and the right to justice. In both sexual offence and custody settings, the apprentice works autonomously undertaking triage, assessment and care/management plan formation regarding, healthcare and safeguarding.
The course is jointly delivered with our collaborative partner, the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine, who develop and maintain the industry standards of competence and professional integrity in forensic and legal medicine. It meets the United Kingdom Association of Forensic Nurses & Paramedics’ (UKAFN) Advanced Standards in Education and Training (ASET) in Forensic Practice, a national benchmark for competency. The apprentice will receive a UKAFN ASET certificate upon successful completion of the course, which is recognised by the Faculty of Forensic and Legal Medicine, UKAFN and the College of Paramedics for healthcare practitioners working in forensic practice.
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
Criminal Justice for the Forensic Practitioner
Forensic evidence of all types plays a major role in the detection of crime, and the successful investigation of many other types of incidents such as road traffic collisions and natural disasters. Crucial to the successful application of science to these processes is the proper collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation of physical evidence. The apprentice explores the legal and procedural contexts in which forensic science operates and develops skills and knowledge in the gathering, examination and presentation of evidence in a range of situations including forensic medical examination.
Forensic Investigative Strategy
You develop an understanding of the principles associated with crime scene science and its relationship with forensic analysis and the legal process. You address key areas in forensic practice such as quality standards, evidence continuity and contamination issues. You also get an understanding of the methodologies used for processing and examination of physical evidence.
Your lectures are supported by a series of practical sessions which include evidence recovery at a mock crime scene and the initial forensic examination of recovered items. You are assessed by a presentation (30%) and a report (70%).
and one optional module
Advanced Clinical Forensic Practice (Custody)
The learner focuses on the application of general forensic medicine theory into clinical practice through a combination of class-based teaching and assessed clinical practice. This provides the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed as a healthcare professional involved with the care of patients in contact with the Criminal Justice System. The apprentice explores common procedures and applications used in clinical forensic medicine, forensic pathology and the investigation of suspicious deaths, including analysis of existing legislation. Ethical and legal issues and the appropriateness of scientific forensic examination techniques are evaluated; and analysis, interpretation and evaluation of scientific procedures are considered.
The UKAFN ASET competency framework will be completed in the workplace as part of this module.
Advanced Clinical Forensic Practice (Sexual Offence)
Focusing on the application of general forensic medicine theory into clinical practice, the apprentice will learn through a combination of class-based teaching and assessed clinical practice. This provides the theoretical knowledge and practical skills to be a healthcare professional involved with the care of patients in contact with the Criminal Justice System. The learner examines the common procedures and applications used in clinical forensic medicine. This includes in-depth study of associated legislation and requires the apprentice to evaluate ethical and legal issues and the appropriateness of scientific forensic examination techniques. Analysis, interpretation and evaluation of scientific procedures are also required.
The UKAFN ASET competency framework will be completed in the workplace as part of this module.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
The course combines and integrates both academic and work-based learning through close collaboration between employers and the University. The apprentice is encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning from the start of the course with support from the teaching team and within your organisation. Teaching is delivered in a range of ways including lectures, seminars and laboratory practical sessions. The apprentice can also access our virtual learning environment, allowing them to engage with the learning and tutors whilst in the workplace. Each unit of credit corresponds to ten hours of learning and assessment (contact hours plus self-study hours). The programme comprises 60 credits.
Taught Component
Apprentices will attend the following sessions across the programme and apart from the course induction and clinical module, attendance may be facilitated remotely through LiveStream if required:
Induction and first week of learning – four days at the start of the course in January or September to include the Clinical module.
Advanced Clinical Forensic Practice (Custody and Sexual Offences) – two consecutive days at the start of Semester 1 and two consecutive days at the start of Semester 2
Forensic Investigative Strategy – one day per week for 12 weeks in Semester 1
Criminal Justice for the Forensic Practitioner – one day per week for 12 weeks in Semester 2
Work-based learning
Apprentices will work through the UKAFN Competency Framework during the programme, ensuring at least 20% of their time is spent in training which includes the taught component as well as activities such as practical training: shadowing, mentoring, industry visits and attendance at competitions; learning support and time spent writing assessments/assignments. A work-based review will take place between the employer, apprentice and the University every 8 - 12 weeks
How you are assessed
Apprentices will be assessed by various methods including written assignments, presentations, oral and written evidence for court, and a reflective log.
Apprentices will already be working in a healthcare setting where forensic examinations of individuals are undertaken and will need to identify a preceptor within the workplace who meets the UKAFN criteria for forensic clinical preceptors. The apprentice works through a competence framework for advanced forensic practitioners where individual competencies of their specialist area will be signed off by their assessor regarding the level of competence and the UKAFN Standard for Forensic Practitioner’s Training.
On successful completion of the course, the apprentice will proceed through a Gateway to the final six months of consolidation in the workplace. The end-point assessment (EPA) will be completed in a maximum six-month period, which includes the time needed for the apprentice to prepare for and undertake the EPA. The EPA comprises two assessment methods, a demonstration of practice and a professional discussion.
Entry requirements
Applicants must be either:
- a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council
- a registered paramedic with the Health and Care Professions Council
- a doctor registered with the General Medical Council.
Applicants will be an honours graduate of any discipline, with a minimum of a 2.2 obtained from a recognised university or hold an equivalent professional qualification acceptable to the School of Health & Life Sciences. Before starting their Teesside University apprenticeship, learners must hold Level 2 qualifications in English and maths. Find out more.
Applicants will be considered for entry if they do not meet these criteria if they have significant health care practitioner experience and are supported by their employer.
You will be responsible for identifying a preceptor and/or mentor in the workplace who meets the Apprenticeship Standards and UKAFN’s criteria for an advanced forensic practice preceptor.
Applicants must be nominated by their employer. The employing organisation will set the selection criteria for their apprenticeship (such as previous experience, length of time within relevant post or qualifications).
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
Employability
Career opportunities
Typical careers include sexual offence examiner, forensic nurse practitioner, sexual assault nurse examiner, forensic medical examiner, forensic physician, forensic nurse examiner, healthcare professional, forensic practitioner, forensic nurse and forensic paramedic.