module specification

This module will embrace the notion of social justice, compassion, and inclusion. This is key to our Education for Social Justice Framework at London Met.

The rationale of this module is to ensure students are meeting the requirements of fieldwork practice and are able to take leadership roles in the planning and implementation of group work and using action research to enhance their practice.

● Students will be contacted prior to the semester to provide support in securing work based activity in good time. 
● Students are responsible for applying for opportunities and to engage with the Module and Work Based Learning teams to assist them. 
● The suitability of any opportunities will be assessed by the Module Team/Work Based Learning Team and all roles must meet the Health and Safety requirements for Higher Education Work Placements. 
● Those studying on a Student Visa will be required to submit weekly timesheets for the hours undertaken for the work based learning activity to meet Visa requirements. These will need to be signed by their line manager/supervisor.

This module will enable students to be able to reflect upon the different projects in their settings and utilise action research to develop and enhance the work within their employment. The 300 hrs of experience will offer the opportunity to further develop their critical skills and personal development through a process of reflection and supervision. This forms the second part of the Fieldwork Practice of 800 hours of which 400 hours is face to face work with young people in the 13-19 age group over the time of the programme.
Partnership working and multi-agency working will be a core element of this module as students will need to liaise with other agencies in this major role with agencies who will already be working with other partners in a multi-agency setting. An appropriate DBS will be required but specific Safeguarding and Risk assessments will also need to be completed to ensure a professional safe working environment.

It aims to:
● Introduce students to the preparation, planning and implementation of group work projects with regards to their major fieldwork practice, utilising the knowledge gained from action research. Students will also demonstrate how they are operating in collaboration with other partners in a multi-agency setting.
● enable students to reflect upon the type of project they want to focus on and to take an active leadership role in the implementation of the provision.
● Students will lead on the key issues that have practical importance in the lives of young people today within their setting, and assist students to reflect upon drawing learning out of their leadership roles and how to make effective use of supervision.
● To analyse how power operates with groups of young people and how it is maintained and implemented through normalising issues of compulsory heterosexuality, whiteness, religion and ‘ableism’. Issues of bullying, harassment, consent, race, gender and sexuality and other forms of oppression will also be analysed and reflected upon to create a learning environment from which students can learn effective ways of addressing issues.

SS4W00 Initial Fieldwork Preparation and Practice (or equivalent)

The syllabus will encourage students to think critically about issues affecting oppression in contemporary contexts and introduce theory, practice and applied youth work principles in relation to the following themes:
1. Socio-cultural dimension of oppression, exclusion and marginalisation of groups and communities, collective responses to oppression
2. Critically analyse the work of people such as; Chauhan, Batsleer, Sapin, Khan, Davies and other writers and practitioners.
3. The values, principles, ethics and practice of  Youth Work In relation to racism, classism, sexism, homophobia and disablism.
4. The historical and contemporary perspectives on gender and sexuality
5. Identity issues - Androgyny, Transexuals, Heterosexuals, Lesbians, Gay men, Bisexuals
6. Masculinity - theories, research and approaches relating to men’s role in society, lifestyle and behaviour
7. The importance of anti-oppressive practice in Youth Work

Learning Objectives: L/O 1,2,3,4,5

The module will be taught in the first semester by a blended learning approach to lecture and critical discussion. There will be a focus on group work and how to work with and in groups and how to think about working at a higher level with regards to additional responsibilities and management of projects.

1. Recognition that work with young people remains within the professional boundaries of a youth worker's role and the core values of youth work and the wider context in which they operate and to develop meaningful professional relationships with young people.
2. Analyse organisational policies, procedures and legislation relating to equal opportunities, discrimination and oppression, as well as Safeguarding, H&S, any other policies that may apply such as loneworking.
3. Demonstrate an awareness of and apply anti-oppressive practice and behaviour in ways which promote youth work values. Identify the connection between personal values, youth work values, NOS and behaviour in practice and analyse the use and abuse of power in micro and macro contexts.
4. Implement AOP effectively and with due regards to the principles and values of youth work.
5. Ability to work effectively as a youth worker using professional skills to enhance practice.

Formative assessment, and draft work is considered and commented on. Comments on draft work are provided a week before the final hand in date, so that students have opportunities to amend their work.

The learning of the module will be assessed through one 5000 Word portfolio where self and peer feedback will be a key feature completed at different stages throughout the year:

The reading list for this module can be found here