Social work and social care

Migrant and Refugee Well-Being: Theory and Practice

Module code: X3242
Level 5
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Seminar
Assessment modes: Coursework

This module offers students the opportunity to examine the well-being of migrants and refugees. Well-being is defined as multidimensional and incorporates the political, economic, health, environment and social contexts in which migrants and refugees exist.

In the module students examine the historical and political contexts in which different groups of migrants are placed, including the specific situations of asylum seekers and refugees. These are shown to have distinct impacts on the health and social care services migrants receive, and on particular issues of entitlement and access. The welfare contexts of different receiving societies are examined including the impact of current debates on welfare provision for migrants and refugees across the globe. Within these contexts contemporary services for migrants and refugees are examined, including the roles played by central government, local authorities and NGOs. Models of good practice in health and social care are examined as are the prospects for the transfer of good practice across countries.

Module learning outcomes

• Identify the key features of contemporary migration including different categories of migrant and salient laws and policies
• Identify the particular challenges migrants and refugees face in terms of their well-being
• Critically examine and evaluate the political, theoretical and philosophical basis of key health and social care services for migrants
• Critically examine and evaluate the political, theoretical and philosophical basis of key health and social care services for migrants
• Identify key methods for implementing models of good practice to enhance migrants well-being