PG Dip Specialist Practitioner: Community Children's Nursing
- Entry year:
- 2025/26
- Start date:
- September
- Study mode:
- Full-time
- Course duration:
- 1 year
- Campus:
- City
Why study this course with LJMU?
The Specialist Practitioner Community Children's Nursing qualification has been designed to equip learners with the knowledge and specialist skills to work as a SPQ CCN. The course will develop autonomous specialist practitioners who will be prepared to address the unique challenges of practice (beyond those of professional registration) to manage greater clinical complexity and risk, both in terms of the children, young people and families they care for, the caseloads they manage and the services they work within to address complex situations, advocating for individuals, families and communities. The course is delivered alongside the postgraduate diploma SPQ District Nursing and SCPHN School Nurse/Health Visitor.
About this course
Study at LJMU to complete a Specialist Practice Qualification in Community Children's Nursing with Integrated Supplementary and Non-Medical Prescribing (V300). This programme leads to recordable NMC qualifications in Specialist Practice and Independent and Supplementary Non-Medical Prescribing.
- Study for a Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) recordable qualification in Community Children's Nursing
- Learn from expert nurses and specialists on this contemporary course
- Benefit from a curriculum praised by the NMC for its enhanced practice perspective and outstanding fitness for practice
- Have your professional competencies (NMC, 2022) assessed in theory and practice
- Experience practice placements
The key principles covered in the course include:
- advanced communication and clinical skills
- meeting the needs of culturally diverse communities
- effective collaboration with stakeholders
- advocating the rights and needs of vulnerable populations
- recognising public health needs
- addressing inequalities and compassionate leadership.
Please note: This course will only run subject to minimum numbers.
These principles are underpinned by the seven platforms of specialist practice (NMC, 2022) and enable community children’s nurses to make autonomous decisions, in situations that require them to manage greater clinical complexity and risk, both in terms of the people they care for, the caseloads they manage and the services they work within, which in turn may be integrated with other agencies, professionals and disciplines.
Academic research and theoretical perspectives contribute to the generation of innovative practice development and the extension of professional roles. This programme is therefore designed to create critically reflective and responsive practitioners who will synthesise new knowledge to develop practice within the dynamic political context of children and young people’s health and social care. Practitioners will be prepared for future leadership roles in multi-professional, multi-agency teams who will work in increasingly complex environments.
Specialist practitioner students are aspiring to the role of a specialist practitioner community children’s nurse who is required to undertake additional education to ensure safe and effective practice within complex and sensitive settings whilst working with children, young people and their families. It is their personal and professional responsibility to do so and the course facilitates this within legal, ethical and competency frameworks related to practice. Valuing and challenging previous experiences prepares students to exercise higher levels of clinical autonomy within a framework of patient-led partnerships to meet the diverse needs of children and young people and their families.
Course modules
Discover the building blocks of your programme
You will study core modules on your programme to a total of 120 credits.
Further guidance on modules
Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.
Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.
Core modules
Optional modules
Professional accreditation
The programme is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
www.nmc.org.uk/Approved-Programmes
Your Learning Experience
An insight into teaching on your course
Study hours
The timetable comprises 40% theory and 60% practice.
Module teaching is on two, and, very occasionally, three specified days of the week. The university day usually runs from 9.30am to 4pm and some sessions can be accessed via Microsoft Teams. Practice days are planned for most weeks throughout the course timetable.
This approach has been developed in partnership with students, practice assessors, NHS mangers and service users. It aims to support students to balance their practice and academic work. Practice day shift patterns vary by placement area, but generally attendance is required 9am-5pm.
Teaching methods
An important element of the programme is to recognise and utilise the current skills of the students and to build on these competencies. Students are encouraged to share their knowledge and experiences and to network both within their peer group and externally. The teaching and learning activities will build on student experiences and will facilitate and encourage further development of existing theoretical and professional knowledge.
The use of interactive lectures and seminars, group work and problem based learning techniques help identify existing skills and, at the same time, encourage students to develop and tailor their portfolio of competencies to meet present and future challenges.
Many of the sessions are shared between the different routes of the community programmes and with other disciplines. Group discussions and workshops provide an ideal opportunity for students to gain knowledge about other specialist roles.
Applied learning
Students are encouraged to spend time working in other alternative practice areas when they are on placement. This will support students to develop key knowledge and skills that will support their future practice as a community children's nurse. These may include, but are not limited to, a children's hospice, a special school, A&E, a children's walk-in centre or a neo-natal unit. Tailoring your practice learning when on placement will enable you to build up a network of contacts and a greater appreciation of your role a specialist practitioner community children's nurse and how this integrates into the complex, wider provision of children's health and social care.
How learning is monitored on your programme
To cater for the wide-ranging content of our courses and the varied learning preferences of our students, we offer a range of assessment methods on each programme.
To gain the credits required for each module you must be able to demonstrate that you have successfully achieved all learning outcomes.
Assessments on the specialist practitioner community children's nursing programme include essays, presentations, exam, observed structured clinical examination (OSCE) and a practice assessment document.
You will receive regular feedback on your academic progress at key points throughout the programme.
Theory assessments are awarded pass, refer or fail and practice assessments are classed as competent or not competent in each specific area.
Where you will study
What you can expect from your School
Situated in the City Campus, the Schools of Public and Allied Health and Nursing and Advanced Practice work with a wide range of health and social care organisations to design, deliver and evaluate a dynamic suite of postgraduate courses. In addition to specialist facilities, you will find high quality meeting and seminar rooms and lecture theatres, the Avril Robarts Library, plus a large cafe, IT facilities and social spaces.
LJMU's excellent educational and professional training facilities include professional-standard clinical practice simulation suites, enriched with technology-enhanced learning equipment. We use the latest clinical technology for simulations and developing clinical skills in child, adult and mental health nursing, paramedic practice, social work and midwifery.
Course tutors
Caroline Boyle
- Programme Leader
It is both exciting and rewarding to watch CCN students grow in their confidence and ability as the programme progresses and, to emerge as qualified CCNs with the drive to make positive changes to their community nursing teams and services and ensure that children, young people and their families receive the best care possible.
It is both exciting and rewarding to watch CCN students grow in their confidence and ability as the programme progresses and, to emerge as qualified CCNs with the drive to make positive changes to their community nursing teams and services and ensure that children, young people and their families receive the best care possible.
Caroline joined the specialist practice team in August 2016 and has continued to develop and enhance the community children’s nursing programme. She works closely with NHS provider Trusts across the North West to ensure that there are creative opportunities within the programme to develop and enhance the practice and service delivery of community children’s nursing teams. Caroline led the introduction of a ‘reflective café’ within the specialist community practitioner and specialist community public health programmes which aims to support students’ to develop and enhance their reflective practice. Caroline is a strong advocate for the specialist practitioner community children’s nursing programme. She is currently working in partnership with colleagues at the University of Hertfordshire and the University of Sussex on a research study to demonstrate the value of the specialist community children’s nurse qualification in community children’s nursing practice. Caroline successfully achieved Queen’s Nurse status in October 2023.
-
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer -
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer
-
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer
Career paths
Further your career prospects
LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of our postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation. Our applied learning techniques and strong industry connections ensure our students are fully prepared for the workplace on graduation and understand how to apply their knowledge in a real world context.
The School of Public and Allied Health work with a wide range of health and social care organisations to design, deliver and evaluate a dynamic suite of postgraduate programmes.
The School's wide-ranging portfolio of cutting-edge postgraduate courses enables you to enhance your existing skills in the field of health and social care, develop specialised knowledge and expertise and improve your long-term job prospects.
All courses meet the needs of the current healthcare agenda and the growing demand from this ever-evolving sector for increasingly skilled healthcare professionals.
Each programme is informed by cutting edge research, ensuring you have the opportunity to study the latest developments alongside world class experts.
Tuition fees and funding
Fees
The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as library membership and student IT support with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources including programme-appropriate software and on campus wifi.
Financial Support
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you’ll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages. The University offers a range of financial support for students. You'll find all the information you need on our specialist financial support pages including details of the Student Support Fund and other activities to support with the cost of living.
Additional Costs
In addition to fees, students should also keep in mind the cost of:
- Accommodation
- Travel costs and field trips unless paid for by LJMU
- Stationery, IT equipment, professional body membership and graduation gown hire
Funding
There are two routes for funding for this course:
- Secondment (for those currently employed by a local NHS organisation that will provide the practice placement whilst studying at LJMU)
- Self-funding (for those who are working with children and are able to access a suitable practice placement whilst studying at LJMU)
Some organisations and companies will fund the cost of postgraduate studies for their employees as they recognise the value of having well qualified staff. Check out our courses and see if there are any on offer that could enhance your current career. Remember, employer support doesn't always have to be financial; it can take other forms too, such as flexible working arrangements, day release and time in lieu of study.
Funding sources
There are many ways to fund postgraduate study for home and international students. From Postgraduate Masters Loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist postgraduate funding pages.
Entry requirements
You will need:
Qualification requirements
How to apply
Securing your place at LJMU
You will apply for the course directly with your NHS Trust. Self-funding students will need to contact the programme lead directly via email - C.M.Boyle@ljmu.ac.uk.
Additional interview requirements
Applicants will be invited to interview for a place on the programme. You will asked to deliver a 10 minute presentation; the title will be given to you two weeks prior to your interview date.
You will also need to provide an up-to-date professional portfolio demonstrating progression towards a career in Specialist Community Practice and an understanding of the community children's nursing role.
The portfolio should include relevant, practice reflections (NMC revalidation documents are accepted). You must also demonstrate that you will be able to adapt to student status.
Your university life
From accommodation and academic support to clubs and societies. Find out what LJMU has to offer.
Related Links
Talk to our students
Connect with a current LJMU student for advice and guidance on university life, courses and more.
See what our students are saying
At LJMU we want you to know you’re making the right choice by studying with us. You can see what our students are saying about their experience with us via the following websites:
News and views
Browse through the latest news and stories from the university
.png)
The University reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Where this does happen, the University operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.