AC7102 - Leading Quality and Service Improvement in Practice

What will I learn on this module?

This module is for students on the MSc Health and Social Practice programme. This module will help you advance your knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to leading and advancing practice in your own professional field. You will have the opportunity to identify an area of contemporary practice with a focus on quality improvement, seeking to improve service user outcomes through the systematic review of services against specific criteria. Following this, recommendations for service improvement are identified. You will have the opportunity to plan and complete an audit, sourcing and critiquing a range of relevant contemporary evidence, apply leadership and change theories and contextualise learning in order to prepare you for advancing and leading practice. The module content will include, clinical audit approaches, leadership and change theory, development of strategic leadership skills and networking, promotion of research-based practice and integration of research and theory to practice. You will have the opportunity to apply and relate what you learn on the module towards your academic assessment, which is the development and presentation of a poster and written abstract similar to those presented at a conference.

How will I learn on this module?

The module provides a range of blended learning and teaching opportunities including, e-lectures, seminars, a system of workshop tutorials for personalised learning, as well as a large group tutorial to help you prepare for the summative assessment. An e-learning platform – Blackboard Ultra - provides access to a range of module materials including e-lectures and e-learning packages. These are available for you to consider in advance of, or as part of attending a taught session (classroom flipping). This enables flexible, enquiry-based learning and opportunities to undertake directed and independent learning in your own time. In seminars and tutorials, you will have opportunity and be encouraged to debate, and discuss contemporary health and social practice for leading and advancement. You will learn alongside other students through an interactive and engaging learning environment, facilitated by academic staff. This gives you opportunity for inter-professional learning. There is opportunity for you to reflect and review your progress on the module with the module team and peers during large and small group tutorials. Peer support is encouraged and facilitated via the small group tutorial system embedded within the module.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

The module tutor will introduce the module including the learning outcomes and assessment early in the module. You will be supported by the module team who will guide and support your learning and assessment. The academic team will facilitate workshops to support your learning progress. During these you will engage in self and peer assessment to help you review, plan and address your learning needs. There will also be a large group tutorial, which will help you prepare for the summative assessment. In addition a 30 minute individual tutorial is available. You will be supported to enhances learning opportunities in applying module theory to your professional practice. Additionally, there are a range of central Student Support and Wellbeing Services “Student Central” operating from Northumbria university libraries. These are available to support you around university academic processes for example, registering a change of circumstances, counselling and mental health support or disability and dyslexia support. The Student Support and Wellbeing Service at Northumbria (Ask4Help) is an excellent point of contact, which is located at Coach Lane Library. The library is open outside of formal scheduled teaching hours and there are student hub areas with access to technology available on both University campuses. Your clinical practice areas may also have active library facilities that you can access.

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?

Knowledge & Understanding:



Identify and conduct an audit in your area of practice, leading to understanding and improvements in service provision.



Critically synthesise, explore and present a range of appropriate evidence and theories relating to contemporary health and social practice.



Intellectual / Professional Skills & Abilities:



Critically audit and evaluate practice to make recommendations for and contribute to quality improvement and ideas for innovation.



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



Critically appraise and develop the personal attributes required to lead and advance practice, operating effectively within contemporary legal, ethical and professional frameworks.

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.



There is both formative and summative assessment on this module.



Formative assessment includes: During small group tutorials, students can undertake self-assessment of learning and be provided with feedback from academic staff and peers in relation to their personalised learning plan and assessment planning. (MLO 1, 2, 4)



Turnitin is available for formative learning – via Blackboard Ultra



Summative assessment includes:

Part 1:You will develop and present an electronic poster, suitable for a conference, which reflects the audit process of a specific area of practice relevant to your field.

Part 2: In a ten minute oral presentation you will discuss and defend the content of your poster to peers and academic tutors. There will be a 5 minute question and answer session.

(MLO 1-4)

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module offers 20-credits at Level 7, is suitable for those working in health and social practice. It offers a supported learning environment with a clear focus on developing skills and attributes required to improve service provision. You will have the opportunity to identify and audit an area of contemporary practice from your field. Audit is a quality improvement process, which seeks to improve service user care and outcomes through the systematic review of services against specific criteria. Following this, recommendations for service improvement are identified. In completing an audit, you will source and critique a range of relevant contemporary evidence, apply leadership and change theory and contextualise learning. Completing this module as part of your programme will provide you with the opportunity to explore your leadership knowledge and skills and apply these to your area of practice.

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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