| Module Title |
Safeguarding Adults at Risk of Abuse & Neglect |
| Module Code |
HEA1062 (ITS: HEA1060 Safeguarding Adults at Risk (12165)) |
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Faculty |
Science & Health |
School |
Nursing, PsyT & Comm Health |
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NFQ level |
9 |
Credit Rating |
10 |
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Description
This module provides students with insights into the complexities of and approach to adult safeguarding. Students will study adult safeguarding within a socioecological lens. This incorporates international and national advances in understanding of the scope of adult safeguarding. The student will examine areas related to theories, legislation and policy, practice development, case management, human rights and intersectional collaborative approaches.
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Learning Outcomes
1. On successful completion of this micro-credential, learners will be able to:
LO 1: Examine and understand the complexity of the theoretical and practice foundations of adult safeguarding and abuse types.
2. On successful completion of this micro-credential, learners will be able to:
LO 2: Critically debate prevention and intervention in adult safeguarding through a joint learning and socio-ecological approach.
3. On successful completion of this micro-credential, learners will be able to:
LO 3: Consider international advances in adult safeguarding and current practice, challenges and dilemmas in case management using key enquiries and case reviews.
4. On successful completion of this micro-credential, learners will be able to:
LO 4: Review emerging Irish policy and proposed legislation related to adult safeguarding.
5. On successful completion of this micro-credential, learners will be able to:
LO 5: Critically navigate issues related to intersectionality, capacity, empowerment, and advocacy within a person-centred, trauma-informed approach.
6. On successful completion of this micro-credential, learners will be able to:
LO 6:Critically explore human rights-based frameworks within adult safeguarding practice and how these support good practice.
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| Workload | Full time hours per semester | | Type | Hours | Description |
|---|
| Assessment Feedback | 125 | Attendance at lectures
Presentation
Self-Directed Study and assignment preparation |
| Total Workload: 125 |
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| Section Breakdown | | CRN | 12351 | Part of Term | Semester 1 | | Coursework | 100% | Examination Weight | 0% | | Grade Scale | 40PASS | Pass Both Elements | N | | Resit Category | | Best Mark | N | | Module Co-ordinator | Amanda Phelan | Module Teacher | |
| | Section Breakdown | | CRN | 12224 | Part of Term | Semester 1 | | Coursework | 100% | Examination Weight | 0% | | Grade Scale | 40PASS | Pass Both Elements | N | | Resit Category | RC1 | Best Mark | N | | Module Co-ordinator | | Module Teacher | |
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| Assessment Breakdown |
| Type | Description | % of total | Assessment Date |
|---|
| Presentation | Using their own practice domain/population focus, students describe adult safeguarding approaches and apply principles of adult safeguarding practice. | 30% | Week 6 | | Assignment | Students will undertake an assignment with a choice of predefined topic areas. (5000 words) | 70% | Week 12 |
| Reassessment Requirement Type |
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
RC1: A resit is available for both* components of the module.
RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module.
RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment
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Pre-requisite |
None
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Co-requisite |
None |
| Compatibles |
None |
| Incompatibles |
None |
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
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Indicative Reading List
Books:
- Phelan, A: 2013, International perspective on elder abuse, 1, All, Routledge, London, 256,
- Amanda Phelan: 2021, Advances in Elder Abuse Research, 1, 17, Springer, London, 266, 3030250954
- Rachel Hubbard: 2024, The Adult Safeguarding Practice Handbook 2e, 2, 10, Policy Press, Bristol, 286, 9781447374817
Articles:
- Phelan, A.: 2023, Adult safeguarding in Ireland: a critical review of context and gaps,, Journal of Adult Protection,, 25, 14, https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-10-2022-0025, 524112
- 2025: Safeguarding adults: A concept analysis, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 81, 16, https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.16306, 524113, 1
- Adult Safeguarding Legislation—The Key to Addressing Dualism of Agency and Structure? An Exploration of how Irish Social Workers Protect Adults at Risk in the Absence of Adult Safeguarding Legislation: The British Journal of Social Work,, 52, 19, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcac003, 524114, 1, Rees, A., Slater, T., Dehaghani, R., & Swann
- The Journal of Adult Protection: 27, 12, https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-07-2024-0039, 524115, 1, Shen, Y., Sun, F., Feng, Y., Lichtenberg, P.A., Meng, H., 2025
- 71: 16, https://doi.org/10.1159/000543804, 524116, 1, Storey, J.E., Fraga Dominguez, S. & Perka, M.R., 2025, No, thank you: reasons for withdrawal from older adult abuse support services
- 8: https://doi.org/10.1080/08946566.2024.2428954,
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Other Resources
- 1: Website, HIQA, 2019, National Standards for Adult Safeguarding, HIQA, HIQA
- 420359: 1, Website, DoH, 2025, National Policy Framework for Adult Safeguarding in the Health and Social Care Sector, Dublin
- https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/national-policy-framework-for-adult-safeguarding-in-the-health-and-social-care-sector/: 420360, 1, Website, Safeguarding Ireland, 2026, All publications
- Safeguarding Ireland: https://safeguardingireland.org/, 420361, 1, Website, Sage advocacy, 2026
- Dublin: Sage Advocacy, https://sageadvocacy.ie/, 420362, 1, Website, Law Reform Commission
- A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding: 2024, LRC, https://www.lawreform.ie/news/the-law-reform-commission-publishes-report-on-a-regulatory-framework-for-adult-safeguarding.1141.html, 420363, 1, Website
- 2025: Adult Safeguarding Toolkit, Dublin, DPC, https://dataprotection.ie/en/dpc-guidance/adult-safeguarding-toolkit, 420364, 1
- Health Service Executive: 2026, https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/training-and-development/safeguarding-adults-at-risk-of-abuse-training/, Dublin, HSE, https://healthservice.hse.ie/staff/training-and-development/safeguarding-adults-at-risk-of-abuse-training/, 420365
- Website: HSE, 2024, National Safeguarding Office Annual Report for 2023, Dublin, HSE, https://about.hse.ie/news/hse-publishes-2023-national-safeguarding-office-annual-report-for-2023/
- 1: Website, SCIE, 2026, Safeguarding adults, London, SCIE
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Optional Module on MSc Health and inclusion
Optional Module on MSc Nursing
Application in process for MCI |
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