Introduction to working with young people
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This key introductory Level 1 course introduces key principles and ideas underpinning work with young people – particularly aged 13–19 – in areas of practice where their participation is voluntary, and the aims relate to informal education. You will examine the origins and scope of this work; its underpinning values and purposes; the changing contexts in which it occurs; how it is implemented; roles and responsibilities of practitioners and policy makers; and the issues they face. You will develop a reflective stance towards your own practice and that of others. It would be helpful – though not essential – for you to be directly engaged in work with young people, or have recent experience in the field.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Childhood and Youth and Education.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | E131 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Register for the course
This course is available for study in the countries shown. Fees and financial support may vary by country.
What you will study
Through the printed Study Topics and supporting resources such as the DVD and the reader, you will be exploring and analysing a range of perspectives on work with young people. As you do so you will be encouraged to review and analyse your own experiences as a learner and a practitioner.
By the end of your studies you will have developed your understanding of:
- the range of practices included in ‘work with young people’
- the issues, theories and research relevant to this field of practice
- ways of supporting young people with diverse needs and abilities in a range of contexts
- how young people learn
- the impact of policy on work with young people
- processes of critical reflection and programme evaluation.
Vocational relevance
Introduction to working with young people is aimed at practitioners working in a wide range of settings involving work with young people, focusing on the age range 13–19. You might, for example, be involved in:
- running a youth club
- working with young people on a housing estate
- participating in a church group
- advising young people on health or careers
- mentoring young people
- working with a group of scouts or guides.
Entry
This is a key introductory Level 1 course. Level 1 courses provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning to help you to progress to courses at Level 2.
Before starting this course, it is expected that you will have current or recent experience of working with young people in a setting such as those listed above. A suitable level of experience for this course might be six months of one session (two/three hours) per week, or the equivalent, during the last three years.
If you do not have experience of working with young people, you will be able to complete this course, but you will not be able to progress to Leading work with young people (E132) or to the practice-based courses Introduction to working with young people in practice (E118), Leading work with young people in practice (E218) and Youth: policy in practice (E318).
An APEL (Accreditation of prior experiential learning) fast track version of this course is also available – Introduction to working with young people: supported APEL route (EZL131). This is appropriate for students with substantial recent experience of working with young people, knowledge of the theoretical basis for this kind of work and a readiness for higher education study.
If you are new or a less confident learner, start with Understanding children and young people (Y176). This is an Openings course, also at Level 1 but worth 15 credits. Designed with lots of support and no examination, it will give you a gentle introduction to this subject and to OU study. If you successfully complete this Openings course, you’ll be ready to study E131 providing you meet the entry requirements above.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Preparatory work
There are no formal qualification requirements for this course. However, if you have no previous experience of higher education, or if you have not studied for some time, we would strongly advise you to make use of the OU’s wide range of introductory courses and packs.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course, and in particular the assessment, make substantial use of audio and visual materials that are made available to students on DVD. These can be played on either a personal computer or a standard DVD player.
The study materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), though some components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. The books are available in a comb-bound format. Written transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our publication Meeting Your Needs.
You can also find information about accessible study materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Study materials
What's included
Printed study materials, a DVD, a reader and a website.
You will need
The ability to play DVDs.
Access to a computer, at your workplace for example, would be sufficient.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new computer since 2005 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. If you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor will be particularly concerned to help you with your study methods. We also offer group tutorials. You are strongly encouraged to attend these and make the fullest use of the support that your tutor (and fellow students) can give. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. You can also take part in an online forum with other students, and again we strongly recommend you to do so.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You can choose whether to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) on paper or online through the eTMA system. You may want to use the eTMA system for some of your assignments but submit on paper for others. This is entirely your choice. The end-of-module assessment (EMA) must be submitted on paper.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching and so you are required to complete it all. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Professional recognition
The Certificate in Working with Young People is recognised on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) at Level 4 and it is currently recognised as a Youth Support Worker qualification by the National Youth Agency (NYA). It is also recognised as a pre-professional qualification in Scotland by the Standards Council for Community Learning and Development (CLD).
The Foundation Degree in Working with Young People, of which the certificate forms a part, is currently Sector Endorsed by the Children’s Workforce Development Council (CWDC). The foundation degree is also available for those living and working in Scotland as a Diploma of Higher Education in Working with Young People.
The Open University’s BA (Honours) Youth Work is now the recognised professional youth work qualification in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. However, students who began their studies before August 2010 can still qualify at foundation degree level provided that they complete the degree within eight years.
Please note that you cannot complete the Certificate in Working with Young People, the Foundation Degree in Working with Young People, the Diploma of Higher Education in Working with Young People, or the BA (Honours) Youth Work if you are studying in Continental Western Europe. The three compulsory practice-based modules Introduction to working with young people in practice (E118), Leading work with young people in practice (E218) and Youth: policy in practice (E318), are only available for study in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, British Forces Post Office (BFPO) addresses outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2012 when it will be available for the last time.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Childhood and Youth and Education.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | E131 |
| Credits | 30 |
| OU Level | 1 |
| SCQF level | 7 |
| FHEQ level | 4 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 4 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| End-of-module assessment |
| No residential school |
Study explained
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about distance learning with the OU.
Student Reviews
Theroretically this course was good at explaining the types of situations that can arise, but to be able to grapple ...
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I found this course very interesting and enjoyable. I'm a part-time youth worker so it was very relevant to me. ...
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Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90+44(0) 845 366 60 35
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