module specification

This module has been designed to ensure the National Occupational Standards for Youth Work and Community Development for practice-based learning are achieved by students at an advanced level. 

The module content is also informed by the Subject Benchmarks as defined by the QAA which inform essential practice for a Youth and Community Worker upon qualification.

The module provides students with structured learning opportunities to consolidate the theoretical aspects of their studies on the MSC Youth and Community Work programme to practice settings which might be organisationally different to their current work place setting.

The taught element of the module will consolidate students’ practical skills gained in previous settings as preparation for the advanced placement and related assessment, and, in reviewing progress on previous experiences and on professional development. 

The substantive period of 400 hours of assessed practice will involve two distinct placements one lasting 80 hours and one lasting 320 and will provide experience of contrasting client groups and agencies. It will require students to examine in depth intervention and evaluate outcomes that take into account inter professional working and anti-oppressive practice.

Evaluating research and evidence provide a sound basis for professional, academic and personal development.  In particular, the professional commitment to reflective practice, professional autonomy and responsibility means that programme is characterised by a rigorous attention to the development of reflexive practitioners, who are able to develop practice out of theorisation in a reflective practice cycle.  Consideration and analysis of ideas, models and approaches in planning and delivering practice are integral to the supervisions and seminars.

The module aims are to:
1. Consolidate students’ practical skills to secure contrasting placements to their previous work place settings.
2. Develop students' leadership skills in the implementation of ethics, values, safeguarding and anti-oppressive practice in a practice-based setting
3. Prepare students in recognising their responsibility to implement the required professional occupational standards whilst on placement
4. Consolidate students’ confidence and critical analysis skills in relating, reflecting and evaluating youth and community work theory to practice
5. Consolidate students’ skills in critically recording and reflecting on practice using a range of professional tools and methods of reflections
6. To develop an understanding of practice-led research through an action learning project.

Introduction to Youth and Community Work
Designing Community and Youth Research

The focus of the advanced placement module is to develop students' leadership and management skills through initiating, managing and evaluating a youth work action research project, developing youth work strategy and wider leadership skills through undergoing 400 hours of assessed practice in both a youth and community work setting.

Students will also consolidate their skills in developing effective relationships with young people as individuals and in groups, in leading group work and teamwork with other professionals. A review of youth/community work policy and practice related to ethics and values Exploring the key skills required to perform effectively as a practitioner in a variety of roles

Professional practice will enable students to experience more than one youth and community work setting. Students are required to undertake placements in at least 2 different organisations, with 20% of practice from an alternative setting to the normal place of work for those in employment.

Placement 1 is a substantial piece of work and will be 320 hours.
Placement 2 must be in an alternative setting and will be 80 hours.

Theoretical and practical applications of a range of key skills:

• Critical thinking & analytical
   Research skills
• Problem solving
• Communication
• Presentations
• Project management
• Culture Awareness + emotional intelligence
• Action research and reflective practice
• As ‘practitioners’, examine case studies and provide effective solutions underpinning theory and applying ethics and values in relation to professional sector.
• Use key skills critically analysed during the course in order to plan, design and present a programme that can be integrated into a work based setting.

Learning Outcomes LO1 - LO6

Students' learning will be structured around practice and placement supervision, supplemented by learning during recall days and through group and 1:1 research supervision.

On successful completion of this module students will:

1. Employ independently and confidently a range of techniques to negotiate and secure a placement
2. Evaluate critically their learning in youth work ethics, youth work theory, safeguarding, anti-oppressive practice and community development values in their placements and develop teamwork, leadership and management strategies to confidently deal with these issues in practice
3. Apply the National Occupational Standards for Youth Work and Community Development
4. Maintain a reflective learning journal and develop a portfolio
5. Analyse and reflect critically on their practice and professional development with reference to key theoretical frameworks and identify future learning and training needs through undertaking structured supervision sessions
6. Synthesising academic knowledge and practice skills in preparation for fitness to practise within the youth and community employment sector

The purpose of the assessment is to reinforce students’ learning through a structured and time-bound process of practice, reflection and writing-up research. Students’ understanding of the module aims and learning outcomes will be assessed through a formative and summative process. The formative process involves the maintenance of a structured reflective journal which allows students to plan and monitor their progress, reflect on and learn from their practice experience and improve their performance during their placements. This process also includes regular supervision and review of professional development and performance at initial and final meetings.

The summative assessment for the module is as follow:

• Portfolio of Practice comprising two learning agreements and a critical reflective account of the practice learning with evidence of how understanding of professional standards and theoretical perspectives informed practice. (5000 words)

• Critical evaluation of action research relating to a significant project designed and implemented by the student. This will include an evaluation of a significant piece of action research work undertaken whilst on placement. (7000 words)

Reading lists are held in the University’s reading list repository at the following link:

https://londonmet.rl.talis.com/modules/SS7002.html