Working together for children
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Working with children requires the development of the knowledge, skills, and values associated with topics including communication; transitions; relationships; health; play; participation; working with parents; early intervention; and safeguarding. All these subjects and more are taught in the context of current law and social policy, with an emphasis on the need for different agencies and practitioners to work together. Using a blend of text and online study materials, you will explore working with children aged 0–12. Studying this practice-focused course will help you to meet the professional and occupational standards required in childcare, health, social care and educational children’s services.
Fees 2012
See fees and funding options for study from September 2012.
Course facts
An undergraduate course in Childhood and Youth , Education and Health and Social Care.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | KE312 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| Examination |
| 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
This course is suitable for a wide range of people working with children aged 0–12 in child care, health and social care and educational settings; in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. It will also appeal to those with a general interest in the field of childhood studies.
The course:
- supports the development of a skilled, effective, integrated workforce for children’s services
- develops the knowledge and skills needed to work collaboratively, effectively and equitably within an integrated interdisciplinary workforce for children
- develops your critical understanding of the ethical, social, legal, political and practice factors and frameworks as applied to work with children
- explores interdisciplinarity as it relates to work with and for children
- develops the knowledge and skills required to improve children’s wellbeing and outcomes for children.
Study will be directed using an online learning guide, which takes students through three course textbooks: Connecting with children: developing working relationships; Promoting children’s wellbeing: policy and practice and Changing children’s services: working and learning together. The course will make substantial use of online resources and aims to develop your skills in information and communication technology (ICT). Other teaching materials include a specially made DVD.
Entry
This is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, preferably with the OU.
The Open University courses Working with children, young people and families (K218), Childhood (U212), Child development (ED209) or a relevant foundation degree would be suitable prior study.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
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
Written transcripts of any audio components and 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.
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
A course guide, three course textbooks and a DVD. You will also have access to a website through which details of assessment, teaching and library resources are available. An online learning guide will lead you through the different components of the course. Electronic versions of most of the printed study materials are provided on the website.
You will need
As well as being available from the online learning guides, the majority of the audio-visual components of this course are also delivered on a DVD that will play on a standard DVD player and television. If you want to view this on a computer, it will need a DVD-ROM drive and software for viewing DVDs.
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. Part of your tuition is delivered online so some of the contact with your tutor will be through email online discussion forums and tutorials, although phone communication may also be used. We will also be able to offer group tutorials that you are encouraged to attend. Where these are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
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.
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 February 2013. 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 Childhood and Youth , Education and Health and Social Care.
| About this course: | |
|---|---|
| Course code | KE312 |
| Credits | 60 |
| OU Level | 3 |
| SCQF level | 10 |
| FHEQ level | 6 |
| Course work includes: |
|---|
| 6 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) |
| Examination |
| 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
Studying KE312 was an eye opener on who children are, how they have voice and how people from different cultures ...
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Absolutely loved this course, it related well to my job as an Outreach Worker and the tutor was brilliant. I ...
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Course satisfaction survey
See the satisfaction survey results for this course.
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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