This is a new and unique programme offering professional and vocational training and degree qualification in Youth Work. Validated by the National Youth Agency (JNC endorsed) as a professional youth work training programme, it will equip you with the necessary skills to graduate as a professional JNC youth worker, allowing you to work effectively with other services within the field.
The programme also affords the opportunity to gain additional certification in areas such as ASDAN, Child Protection and First Aid.
The programme engages in meaningful dialogue with local, regional and national employers, and aims to respond to government agendas and support voluntary and faith based agencies. This engagement enhances employability in an increasingly competitive market and widens students’ understanding of voluntary sector provision and its entrepreneurial and sustainable approaches
Why study this course?
This programme prepares students for vocational and professional practice in a range of professions related to work with young people. It includes exploration of the legal and policies related to the Youth Offending teams and the Juvenile Justice system, an understanding of the importance and uniqueness of the Voluntary Sector role in youth work, and an awareness of the faith based organisations relation to youth work provision.
You will develop a range of practical skills appropriate to youth work and working with young people in a variety of contexts and settings. Through work with young people in a variety of contexts you will develop understanding of the concepts and principles of youth work and gain a critical appreciation of their relevance to young peoples’ needs.
You will explore how young people can learn experientially, informally and non-formally in addition to the school based curriculum. You will be encouraged to develop inclusive and anti-oppressive practice in your own setting and reflect on the wider social context of education and integrated services work with young people.
You will learn how to develop inclusive and participatory practice to enhance and enable young people’s skills, interests, confidence and voice.
Key starting points for learning and skills development throughout the programme are the experiences of young people, including the social and cultural backgrounds of the students on the programme. The skills developed and the issues explored are relevant to all forms of professional youth work, including Faith based, voluntary sector, Juvenile Justice and Mentoring and Coaching.
The programme therefore integrates four complementary and interlocking strands: a) Youth Work theory and practice; b) Understanding of young people, their needs, growth and development; c) Legal, Social and Professional contexts; d) Fieldwork practice / placements.
The Programme is organised around the following strands:
Working with young people: (year 1, level 4) introducing students to the key skills and concepts of professional youth work; the processes and values of youth work; differences between providing leisure and young people participating in choice and delivery; an understanding of the skills understanding required to synergise the concepts of learning, equal opportunity, empowerment and participation to meet the needs of young people.
This module leads into the level 5 module Working with People and includes working with groups, teams, individuals and exploring managerial and non-managerial supervision.
Understanding young people: exploring a number of the issues and concerns of young people in contemporary society and how we relate professional approaches, youth work values and personal beliefs, values and attitudes to such issues. E.g. identity, peer pressure, drugs, family, school, sex/sexuality, self-esteem, health issues. This may be followed by the level 5 module Context, Concerns and Cultures of young people and of the students - to develop a wider understanding of the faiths and beliefs of young people and students’ awareness of wider cultural issues with young people.
Professionalism in youth work: Introducing some of the key areas of professional youth work practice, exploring the context in which youth work students will work; boundaries, policies and opportunities; professional practice and its implications for the delivery of youth work and ‘good practice’. In addition this module explores policies, procedures and practice in the work place, Child Protection and Safe from Harm, Reflective Practice and recording and the Historical development of Youth Work. At level 5 this theme is developed to explore some of the concepts and theories related to Management and Organisation including programming, aims objectives and evaluation and an introduction into employment law. At level 6 Management and organisational practice - working with staff, volunteers and the wider community, further development of supervisory skills and exploring the entrepreneurial skills of the voluntary sector.
Social constructions of Youth & Crime: this module focuses on theories and different social constructions of youth and crime; an introduction to framework of the youth justice system in England and Wales; and, critical consideration of recent policy in this field This theme introduces students to the historical development; key criminological/ theoretical approaches; basic overview of criminal justice institutions/ responses; and spotlights policy changes and current issues. This is developed at year 2 (level 5) and year 3 (level 6) to further explore the issues, ethics and theories and with some visits from or to YOT’s, HMYOI’s etc.,
Year 3 (level 6) Youth, Education and Society: The national curriculum, schools, alternative schools, youth workers in schools and youth in the wider society.
At level 6 there are a number of optional module choices for students to pursue.
There are double Fieldwork placement modules at all three levels - giving opportunity for students to practice and develop their skills and understanding of working to facilitate the personal social and educational development of young people; and leadership and organisational skills required for working with staff and in projects.
Assessment is designed to help you demonstrate your understanding and knowledge of the course content and identify the next steps in your learning. Learning, teaching and assessment are inter-related and all are planned to help support and develop highly effective Youth Workers.
The programme adopts the following principles:
- A range of assessments including, Case studies, Portfolios, Evaluative reports, Reflective Essays and presentations are used to enable opportunities for all students to display their strengths;
- All assessments are used formatively to help you develop actions plans to support your learning;
- Assessments allow students to utilise their professional settings as a context for assignment tasks.
There are many exciting opportunities within the youth work field, such as:
- local councils
- the YMCA
- NSPCC
- the Princes Trust
- Connexions Service
- Juvenile Justice Scheme
- The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
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UCAS points:
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A minimum of 240-280 UCAS points, from GCE A Levels or equivalent.
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GCE A Level:
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BTEC:
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BTEC National Diploma/Certificate: merit/distinction profile
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Irish/Scottish Highers:
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B in 4 subjects
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International Baccalaureate:
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26 points
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QAA:
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QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma, Open College Units or Open University Credits
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Extra Information:
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OCR National Extended Diploma/Diploma: pass/merit profile
The Advanced Diploma: acceptable on its own
Please note: a BTEC National Award, OCR National Certificate or the Welsh Baccaulaureate (core) will be recognised in our tariff offer.
Interview and at least 1 year's youth work experience in the previous 5 years
Enhanced Certificate from the Criminal Records Bureau is also needed.
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