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Graham McPheat

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course will be suitable if you: You can use the hashtag #FLChildren to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

Read more

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course will be suitable if you: You can use the hashtag #FLChildren to talk about this course on social media.

Topics Covered

  • What is meant and understood by the term vulnerability and risk?
  • Assessing risk in various scenarios: exploring the links between poverty and risk and examine how risk is portrayed by the media and government
  • Exploring theories of attachment and child development
  • Examining developmental theories around the concept of containment
  • Important considerations when communicating with children
  • The power of touch and some of the problems associated with touch
  • Elements and characteristics of child care practice
  • Love and other important aspects of caring for vulnerable children?
  • The challenge of caring for children in a risk averse context
  • The Children’s Hearings System in Scotland explained
  • Debates on the subject of care in today’s society
  • Will the future bring changes in the way we care for vulnerable young people?
  • have no direct experience of the child care field, but want to develop your career towards it;
  • have recently entered the field and have little experience;
  • have some experience and are interested in developing your qualifications further;
  • find it difficult to access opportunities for training and development.

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Reviews summary

Understanding care for vulnerable children

According to learners, this course offers a strong foundation and valuable perspectives on the complex topic of caring for vulnerable children. Many found the content sensitive and thought-provoking, particularly praising the exploration of different vulnerabilities and the link between poverty and risk. Students appreciated the theoretical concepts like attachment and containment, finding them essential for understanding child development. While some felt the course provided practical insights, a few reviewers noted it is more focused on theoretical understanding than hands-on techniques, suggesting it serves better as an introductory or supplementary resource. Overall, it is described as an important and well-structured course, although the emotional weight of the material can be significant.
More theory than practical hands-on skills.
"It gave me a good overview, less on 'how-to'."
"This course is more about understanding the issues."
"Don't expect practical intervention techniques."
"I see it as foundational rather than skills-based."
Covers many facets of vulnerability and risk.
"The course covers a wide range of vulnerabilities."
"I learned about risk assessment in different contexts."
"Explores links between poverty and risk effectively."
"It addresses media portrayal and policy aspects too."
Provides essential theoretical understanding.
"It provided a good foundation in the theories."
"Understanding attachment theory was particularly helpful."
"The concepts like containment are well explained and crucial."
"I feel I have a much better theoretical grasp now."
Content is sensitive, relevant, and important.
"This course covers a truly sensitive and important topic."
"Thank you for making this important topic accessible."
"It's a very relevant course for anyone working with children."
"I found the content deeply moving and important."
Content can be heavy and emotionally draining.
"Be prepared, the subject matter is very emotional."
"I found some parts quite difficult to process emotionally."
"It requires sensitivity and self-care while studying."
"The real-life scenarios are powerful but sad."

Activities

Coming soon We're preparing activities for Caring for Vulnerable Children. These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.

Career center

Learners who complete Caring for Vulnerable Children will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Research-based exploration of the nature of vulnerability in children. Bronson and Merryman argue that vulnerability is not a weakness, but rather a strength that can help children to learn and grow.
Philosophical exploration of the relationship between vulnerability and social justice. Anderson argues that vulnerability fundamental human condition that should be the basis for our social and political institutions.
Is an ethnographic exploration of the emotional challenges of doing anthropological fieldwork. Desjarlais argues that vulnerability is an essential part of the anthropological experience and that it can lead to deeper understanding and empathy.
Is foundational for understanding vulnerability from a psychological and social perspective. It challenges the perception of vulnerability as weakness and presents it as essential for connection, courage, and meaningful living. It's highly relevant for anyone seeking to understand the human experience of vulnerability and is often used in personal development and leadership contexts. This book provides excellent background knowledge for exploring vulnerability in relationships and self-improvement.
A crucial read for understanding the link between vulnerability, shame, and self-worth. Brown provides guideposts for cultivating shame resilience and living wholeheartedly. offers practical insights for navigating the personal challenges associated with vulnerability and valuable resource for personal growth. It serves as excellent supplementary reading for courses touching on self-esteem and emotional well-being.
Provides a deep dive into the physical and psychological impact of trauma, which inherently relates to vulnerability. It explains how trauma affects the brain and body and explores different therapeutic approaches. While focusing on trauma, it offers critical insights into human vulnerability in the face of adverse experiences. This valuable reference for students and professionals in psychology, social work, and healthcare.
Goleman's work on emotional intelligence is relevant as it highlights the importance of self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management, all of which are connected to understanding and navigating vulnerability. Developing emotional intelligence can help individuals better understand their own vulnerabilities and those of others. classic in psychology and business and is often used as a foundational text.
Explores vulnerability from a sociological perspective, linking it to human rights and the precariousness of institutions. It argues that shared human vulnerability basis for universal human rights. This provides a theoretical framework for understanding vulnerability in a broader social and political context and is particularly useful for graduate-level study and research in sociology, political science, and human rights.
This report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) directly addresses climate vulnerability, examining its impacts across various sectors and regions and discussing adaptation options. It crucial resource for understanding vulnerability in the context of environmental change and is essential for students and professionals in environmental science, geography, and public policy. This key reference tool for contemporary topics in vulnerability.
Series focuses on disaster risk management, specifically addressing vulnerability reduction and resilience building in the face of disasters. It delves into the impact of risk information, communication, and perception on vulnerability. This is highly relevant for understanding vulnerability in the context of natural hazards and valuable resource for students and professionals in disaster management, urban planning, and public administration.
Examines the complex relationship between development and disasters, arguing that development can both reduce and create vulnerability. It provides a theoretical framework and historical examples to illustrate how vulnerability product of societal processes. This is an important read for understanding the root causes of disaster vulnerability and is relevant for students and practitioners in development studies, disaster risk reduction, and geography.
While not solely about vulnerability, this book provides a foundational understanding of self-esteem, which is closely linked to how individuals experience and cope with vulnerability. Branden outlines six practices for building self-esteem, offering practical tools for personal development. This classic in the field of psychology and self-help and is useful supplementary reading for exploring the personal dimensions of vulnerability.
Explores the concept of radical acceptance, which involves acknowledging and accepting difficult emotions and experiences, including feelings of vulnerability and shame. It draws on Buddhist teachings and psychological insights to offer practices for cultivating self-compassion and inner peace. This is valuable for individuals seeking to develop a healthier relationship with their own vulnerability.
Collection of essays that explore the concept of vulnerability from a variety of perspectives. The essays cover topics such as the nature of vulnerability, the relationship between vulnerability and power, and the ethical implications of vulnerability.

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