Youth justice: theory, research and practice
On this page
This course is primarily designed for people working in youth justice and focuses on the overarching knowledge required to be an effective practitioner in this field. It explores the relationship between theory and practice, and how both of these impact on youth justice practice.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Health and Social Care.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | K209 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 9 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 5 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
The course will give you a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the way in which theory influences both policy and practice in the youth justice system. The course explores the social construction of youth and crime, and traces a number of responses to youth offending. Issues such as diversion, restorative justice and the politics of incarceration are explored in the context of the youth justice system in England and Wales. With reference to the Risk Factor Prevention Paradigm (RFPP) the course examines the nature of evidence, both qualitative and quantitative. Finally, the course examines some alternative approaches to youth justice using comparative analysis. By the end of the course you will be expected to have a broad understanding of the overarching knowledge necessary to practice as a reflective practitioner.
You will study five blocks, which are as follows:
- Block 1 – Crime, youth and childhood – understanding theory and research
- Block 2 – Explaining and responding to youth offending
- Block 3 – Transitions: child development and the models of youth justice practice
- Block 4 – Evaluating the evidence
- Block 5 – Making sense of it all.
The course will use audio and visual material to enhance an investigation into a number of theoretical frameworks.
You will learn
Some of the learning outcomes for this course include:
- A knowledge and understanding of the theoretical bases for youth justice work, including theories of: crime, crime prevention and the construction of ‘anti-social behaviour’.
- A knowledge and understanding of the theoretical concepts that relate to childhood, identity youth and ‘troubled’ youth, ‘risk’, children’s rights and responsibilities; child and adolescent development.
- An understanding of the empirical and conceptual basis of the youth justice system in England and in Wales and the values on which they are based with reference to both geographic and historical comparators.
- Knowledge of the function and operation of the youth justice system in England and Wales within the wider context of services for children and their families.
- The interpretation of evaluation and research data including qualitative and quantitative data.
- To be able to constructively reflect upon and plan for your own continuing personal and professional development.
Entry
If you are currently working in a Youth Offending Team and you would like to be sponsored for this course you should liaise with your manager about potential sponsorship.
Although this is an open access course, you would be better served if you have background knowledge, and preferably experience, in youth justice.
You are not required to have done any prior study, but please bear in mind that this is a Level 2 course.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Outside the UK
The course is for students working in England and Wales.
Preparatory work
You will receive guidance of how to get started online in your first course mailing. This will provide you with information on using your computer for OU study and working with the Computing Guide. For example, it explains how to access and use your website and online discussion forums. If you have time before the course starts, you can work through this and explore all the online services available to you.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Descriptions of visual elements and written transcripts of any audio components will be available on DVD and the website. Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
Some of the material for this course is delivered in multimedia or online and you will need to make use of a personal computer and the internet. If you use specialist hardware or software to assist you in operating a computer or have concerns about accessing the types of study materials outlined you are advised to talk to our Student Registration & Enquiry Service about support which can be given to meet your needs.
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
Course guide, assessment guide, five study blocks, two source books, two DVDs and a website.
You will need
A DVD player.
Access to a digital camera (or mobile phone with a digital camera).
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer with Microsoft Office installed. The software on this module has some advanced features that only work in the proprietary versions of Microsoft Office. If you don't already have Microsoft Office, you can take advantage of a special educational offer.
If you have purchased a new Windows 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. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running Windows using Boot Camp or similar dual-boot system.
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. There are also five online tutorials and two day-schools which it is recommended that you attend.
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 will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
You must submit the end-of-module assessment (EMA) online.
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. We expect it to be available once a year.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Health and Social Care.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | K209 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 2 |
| SCQF level | 9 |
| FHEQ level | 5 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 5 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.
Your questions
We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.
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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