- Legislation and guidance associated with public protection policing
- The breadth of abuse incidents and the impact on victims
- Contemporary vulnerability issues such as adults at risk, domestic abuse, families with complex needs, missing persons, prostitution, coercive control, and sexual offences.
- Understanding vulnerability in the context of operational policing
- Exploring factors associated with vulnerability and victimisation
- Evidence-based models of policing to protect vulnerable people
- The role of Multiagency working practices when dealing with vulnerability, risk and harm.

1. You will produce a VLOG commentary or short documentary (TV news segment) centred around a particular crime associated with vulnerability or an area of vulnerability and the police response to it. The segment will include a relevant case study. You may choose the area you centre on and are encouraged to use a range of media within your assessment.

2. You will engage in role-play scenarios involving vulnerable persons in different situations throughout the course of the module. You will choose one of these scenarios to reflect on and then submit a reflective piece on your decision-making, ethical considerations, use of legislation, guidance, policy frameworks and communication. You may submit their reflection as a written piece or audio file.

This module will be taught through a range of lectures, tutorials, workshops and practical sessions. The module will utilise role plays and case studies to learn in an applied way. Assessment support will be built into the module’s taught sessions. Formative opportunities for feedback will be provided to support your summative assessments; you will receive feedback during debriefs on each of the simulations and asked to reflect on areas for development after each one. You will also have the opportunity to submit segments of your reflection for feedback prior to the submission deadline. Case studies will be explored as part of the module giving opportunities to practice summarising and using case studies to illustrate vulnerability and receive feedback and opportunities to experience different perspectives from peers.

1. Analyse the concept of vulnerability and contemporary vulnerability issues within the context of operational policing.

Knowledge & understanding

2. Apply key legislation, guidance and policy frameworks associated with public protection policing to vulnerability case studies and scenarios.

Application & problem solving

3. Reflect on your decision-making, adherence to professional standards and interpersonal skills demonstrated in practical scenarios involving vulnerable people.

Reflection
Professional development & entrepreneurship

4. Critically discuss through accessible digital forms an area of vulnerability in terms of its link to other vulnerability issues and future challenges.

Digital literacy; Communication

Simulation facility
Virti
ThingLink
Padlet

Asquith, N.L. (2021) Policing practices and vulnerable people [electronic book] . Edited by I. Bartkowiak-Theron. Basingstoke : Palgrave Macmillan.

College of Policing (2025) Major investigation and public protection - Authorised professional practice. Available at: https://www.college.police.uk/app/major-investigation-and-public-protection

Williams, B. (2023) Policing mental health, vulnerability and risk. St Albans: Critical Publishing. Available at: https://www.vlebooks.com/product/openreader?id=StaffsUni&accId=8398653&isbn=9781915080578.

How do police officers protect the most vulnerable in society while managing risk and maintaining public trust?

This module explores the complexities of policing vulnerability in a modern context. You will examine what vulnerability means, the factors that contribute to victimisation, and the circumstances that lead individuals become vulnerable. Through real-world examples and case reviews, you’ll investigate contemporary issues such as domestic abuse, coercive control, sexual offences, adults at risk, mental ill health, and families with complex needs.

You will evaluate evidence-based policing models designed to safeguard vulnerable people, with a focus on risk management and multi-agency collaboration. The module also considers the role of legislation and guidance in shaping public protection strategies, and how offender management and media influence impact policing decisions.