module specification

Students are introduced to a range of key issues in relation to the context of Youth and Community Work,anti-oppressive practice and understanding the needs of young people and their communities. There is a strong emphasis on the National Occupational Standards (NOS). 

Throughout the module, students are encouraged to take into account diversity and anti-oppressive practice issues effecting young people and the impact such issues have on youth identities and future youth and community work practice.  Thus, combined with the ethics, values and philosophy underpinning professional practice and students’ own experiences and knowledge base, this module aims to provide a firm foundation for the professional practice of working with young people and their communities. You will learn by engaging critically with the subjects through:

• lectures or direct teaching
• group work
• study skills such as paragraph writing, guided reading or referencing tips
• preparation for assignments
• online activity
• Interactive learning experiences

Module aims
This module aims to enable students to:

1. Critically examine key concepts of values, ethics , theory, policy , principles and  practice in relation to  youth work and community work
2. Introduce students to the sector professional occupational standards and the notion of an informed  reflective practitioner
3. Examine  diverse  representations  of young people and their communities in society to
develop students’  skills in self-management, group work, oral presentation and academic writing
4. Prepare students taking the pathway leading to NYA and ESB recognition for their placement module

Topics include:

• An introduction to youth work  policy and practice, concepts of informal and formal education, the “voluntary” principle, ethics and values in youth work
• Examining principles and policies and governance of youth work in relation to professional occupational standards and the common core framework and  government policy
• Evaluating the changing role of the youth worker and the significance of reflective practice
• Exploring equality and diversity perspectives in youth work and anti-oppressive work

• Evaluating the process and impact of youth work
• Introducing youth as a concept and representations of young  people
• Examining the construction of social identities
• Examining examples of young people’s participation and rights

Learning Outcomes LO 1 - 4

Students' learning will be structured around the contact time based on the guidance supplied in lectures, group work, and interactive workshops. Enquiry based learning and problem based learning will be used to help students to comprehend theoretical concepts.
Through the use of case studies, an examination of how key skills are applicable in real life youth/ Community settings .Students will be expected to participate in all classes by presenting material for discussion and debate. The module is supported by an electronic learning management system where students will be expected to access learning materials and information via WebLearn. In addition to class contact time, independent study/preparation time will include directed reading, independent research project work and class preparation. Formative feedback will be given to students in these lectures to help them understand how well they have applied concepts and ideas, suggest how they can do this more effectively in the future.

1. Critically evaluate key concepts relating to youth work policy, ethics and practice and to young people within a broad social context
2. Synthesise conceptual understanding based on examples of the function of youth work and the role of a youth work professional
3. Critically analyse examples of oppressive practice in working with young people and apply anti-oppressive principles and practice in youth work and in learning settings  
4. Practise a range of self-management  and inter-personal skills in relation to  group work, oral presentation skills and writing for academic purposes

This module will be assessed by an essay of 3000 words on a critical examination of anti-oppressive practice and a solution focused approach to applied practice.

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

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