Diploma of Higher Education in Working with Young People
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Diploma
- Code
- E38
- Level
- Undergraduate
- Made up of
- 240 credit points
Description
The Open University’s Diploma of Higher Education in Working with Young People is a practice-based award suitable for individuals with 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. By recent, we mean six months for one session (two/three hours) a week or the equivalent in an informal-education setting during the last three years. This experience will need to be confirmed towards the beginning of the Diploma of Higher Education. The diploma 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.
This diploma has been developed in close collaboration with employers and experienced workers from the statutory and voluntary sectors to ensure that it engages directly with the themes and issues relevant to work in this field.
By successfully completing the first two courses of the diploma – Introduction to working with young people (E131) (or Introduction to working with young people: supported APEL route (EZL131)) and Introduction to working with young people in practice (E118) – you can gain a Certificate in Working with Young People (C54). Professional recognition is currently being sought for this with the Scottish Community Education Validation and Endorsement (CeVe).
You can ‘top up’ your diploma to a full honours degree by studying a further 120 points at Level 3. You can choose from either the BA (Honours) Childhood and Youth Studies (B23) if suitable Level 3 courses are chosen, or the BA (Honours) Working with Young People (B55) which has been specifically developed to follow on from the Diploma of Higher Education in Working with Young People. This degree is available for the first time from 2009 and to obtain the additional 120 points required at Level 3, you need to study the 60-point Level 3 course Youth: perspectives and practice (KE308) and a new 60-point Level 3 course planned for February 2010.
The diploma will be of particular interest to those living and working in Scotland. It is offered to students who live and work elsewhere as the Foundation Degree in Working with Young People (G03).
Planning your studies
The diploma 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. 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 two work-based learning courses – Introduction to working with young people in practice (E118) and Leading work with young people in practice (E218) – you will need to have suitable face-to-face employment with young people (paid or unpaid) in an appropriate setting for a minimum of five hours a week. Confirmation of this will need to be provided as part of the registration procedures for the course. You will also need support and permission to study from your employer in the form of a number of key work-based learning support roles. Help in securing these roles is available should you experience difficulties in finding suitable individuals within your own organisation. In addition, you need to undertake work in the second course in a contrasting setting to the one in which you worked in the first. Further help is available to assist you with this and you should contact the Working with Young People Award team for further advice and guidance on either 01908 858650 or 01908 653766.
In order to study the diploma, you will need to undergo the relevant criminal record checks via application to Disclosure Scotland and it is your responsibility and that of your employer to ensure that you do this, 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. There will also be compulsory use of ICT on some courses and compulsory day schools on the work-based learning courses.
You must include at least 90 points from OU courses that have not been counted in an OU diploma or other first degree you have been awarded.
This diploma will take you a minimum of two years and a maximum of eight years to complete.
Career relevance and employability
The diploma has been developed directly with employers to ensure that the skills that they need are met. It has been designed to increase your career opportunities and earning potential.
It is expected that you will already have some recent experience in the workplace before you undertake the Diploma of Higher Education. The skills that you will develop will be ones that employers working with young people have identified as important for the area of work. In addition, the Certificate in Working with Young People will give you (subject to validation) a recognised introductory professional qualification in working with young people.
On completion of the Diploma of Higher Education, there are opportunities for continued professional development through progression to other professional qualifications or to an honours degree. You need to seek advice about the next level. You should note that completion of the Diploma of Higher Education will not currently give you access to graduate level careers.
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 diploma you require
240 points from the following compulsory courses:
| Level 1 compulsory courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
30 | Oct 2010 |
| or | ||
|
30 | Feb 2010 |
|
60 | Oct 2010 |
|
30 | Oct 2010 |
| or | ||
|
30 | Feb 2010 |
| Level 2 compulsory courses | Points | Next start |
|---|---|---|
|
60 | Oct 2010 |
|
60 | Jan 2010 |
We strongly recommend that you study E131/EZL131 before starting E118 and that you study these courses and E132/EZL132 before starting E218. E118 (or equivalent study from another institution) is a pre-requisite for E218.
Completing E131/EZL131 and E118 will entitle you to a Certificate in Working with Young People (C54).
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 Diploma of Higher Education 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
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, Education and Health and Social Care.
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