Certificate in Working with Young People
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Certificate
- Code
- C54
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Made up of
- 90 credit points
Description
The Certificate in Working with Young People is suitable for you if you have current or recent experience of working with young people in informal education settings such as detached youth work or youth work in clubs, youth organisations like the Guides or Scouts, or other groups working with young people aged 13-19 years old. Students intending to study for the certificate should be aware that – for the first work-related course – although they are not required to be working currently with young people, it is expected that they will have recent experience of work with young people in an informal education setting such as a youth club, scout group, careers advisory service or other facility provided to help the learning and development of young people. For the second work-based learning course it is an essential requirement for students to be working directly with young people in an appropriate informal education setting for a minimum of five hours a week.
The Certificate provides knowledge of ethics, values and purposes as well as the understanding required to work effectively with young people in these settings. In developing the skills expected of professional workers in this field, it also prepares students to engage with further study, enquiry and reflection on their practice. The Certificate has been recognised on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and is recognised by the National Youth Agency as a Youth Support Worker qualification.
Planning your studies
The certificate includes a specialist vocational component which is underpinned by broad-based academic learning. You should have some experience of working in the sector prior to starting, although you will not be asked to confirm this formally until the start of the work-based learning course (E118) which makes up the second part of the certificate. A suitable level of prior experience for the certificate might be six months of one session (two/three hours) per week, or the equivalent during the last three years. You will find all the courses and the assignments much easier and more fulfilling if you continue in employment (paid or unpaid) in the sector throughout your study. During the work-based learning course, Introduction to working with young people in practice (E118) , you will need have to have suitable employment (paid or unpaid) for a minimum of five hours a week in an appropriate setting and confirmation of this will need to be provided as part of the registration procedures for this course.
In order to study the certificate, you will need to obtain the necessary clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau (England and Wales), or have passed a Disclosure Scotland check or Protection of Children (Northern Ireland) check, i.e. an appropriate check relevant to the country in which you are working. It is your responsibility and that of your employer to ensure that you meet these requirements, rather than the OU.
A range of assessment methods will be used including written assignments and project work drawing on examples of practice from students’ own work. E118 includes compulsory use of ICT and students must attend a day school to pass the course.
This certificate will take you a minimum of nine months and a maximum of four years to complete. You must include at least 30 points from OU or collaborative scheme courses that have not been counted in any other OU certificate, diploma or first degree you may have been awarded.
Career relevance and employability
Completion of a certificate will not give you access to graduate level jobs. You will have to undertake further study if you want to progress to graduate level careers.
However it may help you decide whether you like this particular area of work and study and it may enable you to gain a job below graduate level and gain the necessary experience to progress to further professional training.
Ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for the careers publication OU study and your career if you want to find out more about the process of career development and about sources of careers information and guidance. For planning your next career steps, visit the OU Careers Advisory Service.
There’s more information about the career relevance of degrees on the national HE Prospects website.
Courses
For this certificate you require:
90 points from the following compulsory courses:
| Level 1 compulsory courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
30 | Oct 2010 |
| or | ||
|
30 | Feb 2010 |
|
60 | Oct 2010 |
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution we may be able to give you credit for this study that you can count towards this Open University qualification. You can find out more on our Credit Transfer site. If you make a successful claim for transferred credit it may affect your choice of courses so you are advised to investigate this option as soon as possible.
Credit transfer details for this qualification:
On completion
On successful completion of the required courses you will be awarded a Certificate in Working with Young People.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the Award Regulations and the Student Regulations.
Award Regulations
- Introduction to the Award Regulations
- General Award Regulations
- Certificate in Working with Young People
Student Regulations
The Student Regulations (including the Code of Practice for Student Assessment and the Code of Practice for Student Discipline) are available on our Policy Documents for Students website.
How to register
To register for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the course you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that course.
About this page
An undergraduate qualification in Childhood and Youth and Education.
Study explained
- Credit points
- - show how much study is required to complete a course or qualification. One credit point represents roughly 10 hours of study.
- Level
- - indicates how difficult a course is. Undergraduate study starts at Level 1.
- Financial support
- - find out if you qualify for support with your fees with our eligibility checker.
- Study explained
- - all you need to know about studying with the OU.
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
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