Vulnerable People and Public Safety unit (CPS104)

Online

Introduction

In this unit you will examine how public health and public safety systems identify, understand and respond to individuals and communities experiencing vulnerability. Adopting a public health perspective to the matter of public safety, the unit explores vulnerability as a complex and changing concept shaped by social, cultural, economic, health, environmental and systemic factors, rather than as a fixed characteristic of particular individuals or groups.

You will consider how public health and safety agencies respond to issues experienced by vulnerable people across contexts such as mental health crisis, homelessness, disability, ageing, family violence, discrimination, substance use, youth offending, disaster exposure and social isolation. You will also analyse the over-representation of populations affected by social determinants of health in public safety matters, as part of an examination of the full public safety continuum, and discusses the broader public health conditions that contribute to risk, crime, harm and exclusion. Finally, you will critically establish the importance of collaborative, prevention-focused and community-centred approaches beyond immediate incident response.

Through case studies and contemporary examples, you will explore the role of police, emergency services, health, housing, legal, social support and community organisations in strengthening safety, wellbeing and public health outcomes. The unit encourages students to critically consider how public safety responses can reduce harm, build trust, support dignity and wellbeing and improve long-term outcomes for vulnerable people and the communities in which they live.

Summary

Unit name	Vulnerable People and Public Safety
Unit code	CPS104
Credit points	12.5
College/School	Health School of Paramedicine and Public Safety
Discipline	Policing and Emergency Management
Coordinator	Professor Isa Bartkowiak-Theron
Available as an elective?	Yes
Delivered By	University of Tasmania
Level	Introductory

Availability

Location	Study period	Attendance options		Available to
Online	Semester 1
Online	Semester 2
Online	Trimester

Note

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Key Dates

Study Period	Start date	Census date	WW date	End date
Semester 1	22/02/2027	16/03/2027	19/04/2027	13/06/2027
Semester 2	05/07/2027	27/07/2027	30/08/2027	24/10/2027
Trimester	01/11/2027	23/11/2027	23/12/2027	13/02/2028

* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (refer to How do I withdraw from a unit? for more information).

Unit census dates currently displaying for 2027 are indicative and subject to change. Finalised census dates for 2027 will be available from the 1st October 2026. Note census date cutoff is 11.59pm AEST (AEDT during October to March).

About Census Dates

Learning Outcomes

• Identify indicators of risk and vulnerability, and the social determinants of health that can inform collaborative public health and public safety responses for vulnerable individuals and communities
• Explain how collaborative, interagency approaches across health, social services, justice and policing contribute to improved public health, wellbeing and safety outcomes for vulnerable communities
• Explain the limitations of reactive public safety responses to vulnerability, and the value of prevention and early-intervention approaches informed by public health principles

Fee Information

Field of Education	Commencing Student Contribution 1,3	Grandfathered Student Contribution 1,3	Approved Pathway Course Student Contribution 2,3	Domestic Full Fee 4
061399	$1,235.00	$1,235.00	not applicable	$3,065.00

• Available as a Commonwealth Supported Place
• HECS-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility³
• FEE-HELP is available on this unit, depending on your eligibility⁴

¹ Please refer to more information on student contribution amounts.
² Please refer to more information on eligibility and Approved Pathway courses.
³ Please refer to more information on eligibility for HECS-HELP.
⁴ Please refer to more information on eligibility for FEE-HELP.

If you have any questions in relation to the fees, please contact UniConnect or more information is available on StudyAssist.

Please note: international students should refer to What is an indicative Fee? to get an indicative course cost.

Teaching

Teaching Pattern	1 x 1 hour lecture, weekly. 1 x 30 minutes discussion forums, weekly. 2 x 1 hour drop in sessions, per semester. 8 x hours of independent learning, weekly.
Assessment	Recognising Risk: A case-based response task (25%)|Collaboration vs. Reaction: A Comparative Practice Report (35%)|Individual Interactive Oral Assessment (40%)
Timetable	View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable

Textbooks

Required	Required readings will be listed in the unit outline prior to the start of classes.

The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.