AC7101 - Leadership, Management and Decision Making in Health and Social Practice

What will I learn on this module?

This module will focus upon three central and complex areas key to the development of your own practice i.e. Leadership, Management and Decision Making. The module will therefore prepare you to apply effective leadership within the delivery of your service. You will learn about models and frameworks of leadership and application of these within you area of professional practice. This will include leadership styles, communication strategies and conflict management. You will learn to access strategies and behaviours for effective leadership and management that will assist you in achieving and maintaining leadership of self and others. Module content will also include the main theoretical approaches to decision making, and allow you to explore and apply these principles. You will learn to critically evaluate the complexity and uncertainty within which judgements and decisions are made, examining how decision making skills are acquired and better utilised in the range of health and social practice.

How will I learn on this module?

You will experience a variety of teaching and learning strategies on this module which you can use to link theory to your own practice. Your learning will occur through lectures, workshops and independent study. However the range of methods will also include on line learning, group work and discussion. Learning also includes opportunities for formative assessment before summative assessment occurs. The module tutor will provide guidance and encouragement for you as the module is delivered. You will also be encouraged to present and discuss your own experience of both leadership and decision making with peer review, discussion and debate will be encouraged.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported through regular feedback from the module tutor, within the workshop and discussion format of specific teaching sessions and in tutorials. In addition a discussion board for your module will be established on Northumbria University’s eLearning portal , Blackboard. Blackboard also allows remote access to materials and aids for module students to access outside of the classroom providing a flexible approach to learning and accessible to you 24/7. Support for your learning is also offered via a 24 hour IT Helpline, Student Support and Wellbeing Services, Skills Plus to support your academic work and Ask4Help Service for other enquiries. These are all available in person at Student Central on Coach Lane Campus and online. The university library has a wide selection of materials to support your individual learning, and these materials are available in hard copy or electronic format. You will also have a personal tutor (PT) allocated to you as part of the programme overall. The PT will meet with you according to University policy.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

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.

What will I be expected to achieve?

By the end of the module you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

Critically analyse and apply leadership, conflict management and communication theory in health and social practice arenas



Comprehend clinical decision making, using research evidence base to support this in practice



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

Critically reflect on own and others professional leadership and management roles and decision making responsibilities within contemporary practice



Demonstrate critical analysis of evidence based leadership, management and decision making in complex and unpredictable contexts

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

Manage and evaluate relationships with others to enhance health and social practice and demonstrate advancement

How will I be assessed?

Please give details of all formative and summative assessment process indicating which MLOs will be addressed and how feedback will be provided.



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



Formative assessment

A 500 word plan of your summative essay to include a breakdown of the key content, theories and frameworks. MLO’s K&U 2, IPA 1



Summative Assessment:

The summative assessment for this module will be a 3000-word reflective essay demonstrating the learning process, knowledge and understanding of leadership, management and decision making in health and social practice. You essay will be submitted electronically via Turnitin, and you will receive your electronic feedback 20 working days following submission via Turnitin to inform future practice. MLO’s K & U 1 & 2 IPA 3 & 4 PVA 5.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This contemporary module in Leadership, Management and Decision Making in Health and Social Practice is designed to support you development by providing a deeper understanding of leadership and decision making within your field of practice. The module will enable you to critically reflect on your existing practice in this area, apply theoretical contemporary research and evidence associated with the key themes. You will explore the challenges, barriers and behaviours that exist within practice and be exposed to new theoretical ideas and frameworks relevant to the development of your professional roles.

Course info

Credits 20

Level of Study Postgraduate

Mode of Study 1 year Part Time

Department Nursing, Midwifery & Health

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025 or January 2026

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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