Diploma of Higher Education in Working with Young People: pathway

Stage 1

Stage 1 comprises three compulsory modules.

You’ll start with Introduction to working with young people (E131)Introduction to working with young people::This 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.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W03-1,module,E131,,1 (30 credits), which sets out the key principles and ideas underpinning work with young people – particularly those aged 13-19 – in areas of practice where their participation is voluntary. You’ll examine the origins and scope of this work; its underpinning values and purposes; and the changing contexts in which it occurs and is implemented. You’ll also explore the roles and responsibilities of practitioners and policy makers and the issues they face – reflecting on your own practice and that of others throughout.

You’ll follow this with a 60-credit work-based module, Introduction to working with young people in practice (E118)Introduction to working with young people in practice::This work-based learning course focuses on your own face-to-face work with young people. It will help you to develop the skills and understanding needed to work effectively with young people and support their informal learning. The course shows you how you can use your practical experiences and the knowledge you have gained from previous study of our key introductory Level 1 course in working with young people to understand your current practice better and develop it further. You’ll need to be able to undertake work-based learning, and be working with young people aged 13–19 in a suitable setting for at least five hours a week.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W03-1,module,E118,,1. This is designed to help you develop practical and analytical skills needed to work directly with young people (individually and in groups), with a particular focus on the quality of the relationships you build with them.

Your final module, Leading work with young people (E132)Leading work with young people::This course introduces key principles and ideas concerning leadership in work with young people – particularly aged 13–19 – in areas of practice where their participation is voluntary, and the aims relate to informal education. It takes leadership to be a process of working with and through others to achieve shared objectives. It views leadership not only as linked to hierarchical position, but also as dispersed throughout the organisation, occurring at all levels – including that of the young people who are the ‘clients’ or ‘users’ of the services.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W03-1,module,E132,,1 (30 credits), introduces key principles and ideas concerning leadership in work with young people. You’ll explore leadership as a process of working with and through others to achieve shared objectives.

Alternatively if you have substantial recent experience of working with young people and knowledge of the theoretical basis of this type of work, you can replace the first and third modules with fast track APEL (accreditation of prior experiential learning) versions: Introduction to working with young people: supported APEL route (EZL131)Introduction to working with young people: supported APEL route::This is a supported fast-track APEL (Accreditation of prior experiential learning) course, for students with substantial recent experience of working with young people, and substantial knowledge of the theoretical basis of this type of work. It 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 nature and scope of this work; its underpinning values and purposes; roles and responsibilities of practitioners; and the practical and ethical issues they face. Throughout, you will take a reflective stance towards your own practices and those of others.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W03-1,module,EZL131,,1 and Leading work with young people: supported APEL route (EZL132)Leading work with young people: supported APEL route::This is a supported APEL (Accreditation of prior experiential learning) course for students with substantial recent experience of working with young people, and substantial knowledge of the theoretical basis of this type of work. It will widen and deepen your understanding of the policies, practices and contexts of working with young people, particularly aged 13–19. You will examine the leadership roles that practitioners adopt and the roles they play as members of teams, organisations and interagency partnerships. The course takes leadership to be a process of working with and through others to achieve shared objectives.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W03-1,module,EZL132,,1.

Stage 2

Stage 2 begins with the work-based module, Leading work with young people in practice (E218)Leading work with young people in practice::This course explores how you can use your practical experiences, and the knowledge you have gained from your Level 1 study, to develop the practical and analytical skills needed to lead and manage work with young people. In addition, you’ll be encouraged to take a critical and reflective approach towards your work and your continuing professional development. You must meet the minimum requirement of five hours face-to-face contact with young people per week in an appropriate setting; undertake work in an additional work-based learning setting; obtain your organisation’s permission to do work-based learning; and attend a face-to-face day school (or online alternative learning experience).undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W03-1,module,E218,,1 (60 credits), will draw on the knowledge developed at Stage 1, and develop the practical and analytical skills you need to lead and manage work with young people.

Next, in Childhood (E212)Childhood::What does it mean to be a child in today’s world? Do popular images of childhood match the reality of young people’s lives? How is childhood affected by poverty, ill-health and adversity? Do children have different rights from adults, and if so why? How are modern lifestyles and technologies changing children’s relationships and identities? What part do children play in shaping their childhood? Such questions are the starting point for this cross-disciplinary introduction to childhood and youth studies, covering the age range 0–18 and including audio-visual case studies from three contrasting parts of the world.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.W03-1,module,E212,,1 (60 credits), you’ll focus on modern childhood and the differences and similarities between children’s lives across the world. Drawing on innovative, specially commissioned audio visual material, you’ll gain insight into children and young people’s lives in diverse communities. You’ll examine notions of childhood; the range of influences in children’s lives – such as family and school; transitions from childhood to youth; the role of youth in contemporary cultures; and the problems and challenges faced by many young people as they attempt to establish themselves as adults.