UDYOUJUS - BA (Hons) Youth Justice

This is a degree programme which combines two professional work placement modules, with more traditional face to face lecture:seminar modules.

The professional placement modules will be completed offsite at a partner Youth Offending Team, and students will be supported by a mentor based at the partner organisation. During this time students will be assessed on their application of core competencies. As such the university will organise and pay for a DBS check students at the start of level 4. If the DBS check returns information that means it will not be possible for the student complete the practical placement modules, then the student will be transferred on to the BSc Criminology degree

All of the modules will be supported by our e-learning web facility Weblearn where PowerPoint presentations, additional reading materials and online tutorials can be provided. All students also are offered personal one to one tutorials to plan work or receive feedback.

This degree provides both the theoretical basis and practical experience students need to enter the statutory youth justice sector. IT has been developed in conjunction with the Youth Justice Board and is delivered in partnership with local authority youth offending services. The course has been designed to meet the Skills for Justice National Occupational Standards for Youth Justice set by the government and as such graduates automatically meet the requirements for employment within the statutory youth justice sector. The degree involves students completing placements with partnering youth offending teams or their contracted service providers. However, there is no guarantee the university will be able to place all students, particularly if the university feels that doing so will pose a reputational risk to the course or the university as a whole.

With more and more youth offending being addressed by community interventions, rather than prison sentences, this degree offers students the unique opportunity to enter a vital and vibrant sector and help change the lives of young people. Graduates of this course will have a head start in when applying for work within the statutory youth justice sector as well as having a significant competitive advantage, when compared to other graduates seeking employment in the growing related voluntary sector. The course is delivered by academics whose research addresses some of the most critical issues within the criminal justice sector today, with placements at some of the highest performing Youth Offending Teams in the capital.

By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

1. Apply methods and techniques appropriate to their own research or scholarship in youth offending and/or youth justice

2. Apply knowledge with originality, based on a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in criminology

3. Critically assess the individual and social factors contributing to youth criminality through applying existing research and theories

4. Evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in Youth Justice and offending management

5. Demonstrate a sound knowledge and experience of applying the core competencies for youth justice services

6. Advance their knowledge and understanding, of the criminal justice system

7. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations

8. Learn independently for the purposes of continuing professional development

Module Name Module Code

Introduction to Criminological Theory SC4000
Introduction to the Criminal Justice System SC4001
Researching Crime and Deviance SC4003
Personal and Social Factors Affecting Young People SC4050
Introduction to professional practice SC4051
Youth Justice Practice 1 SC5006
Youth, Resistance and Social Control SS583
Safeguarding Children SC5083
Supporting Children with the Youth Justice System SC5084
Crime, Media and Technology SC5050
Youth, Crime and Violence SC5051

Criminological Research Practice SC6P50
Youth Justice Learning Practice 2 SC6006
Social Control, Drugs and Organised Crime SC6004
Crime Control and Penology SC6000
Victims and Crime SC6053

L O 1 - LO 8

https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/subject-benchmark-statements/sbs-criminology-14.pdf?sfvrsn=b3e2f781_8

On the course, there is a special emphasis the on the practical requirements needed to meet the sectors professional standards, which will be assessed through observations within work place settings and end of placement reflective reports. This will be supported through ensuring students have a sound grasp of the relevant academic literature, including substantial use of key scholarly journals in the field of criminology and youth justice. This is assessed through a variety of summative assessments including essays, examinations (seen), practical research methodology assignments, an extended thesis, and various formative presentations to class peers.

The course has a 60 credit work placement module in the 2nd year and a 75 credit work placement in the 3rd year. These will be delivered in partnership with youth offending teams. Completion of these modules will ensure that graduates meet the minimum requirements for employment within statutory youth offending services.

General Regulations apply

Students will be required to complete two professional work placements, which will be assessed though portfolio based assignments. Personal development planning and personal reflections will be included within this portfolio.

This course is specifically designed for students who want to enter the youth justice sector. The modules have been designed to ensure that students meet the entry requirements for roles within the youth justice sector upon course completion. As such the course learning will be benchmarked against the National Occupational Standards for Youth Justice Services. Some partner youth offending teams have indicated that they will offer job interviews to students on completion of the course, although this is not expected from placement providers, it wil be encouraged. Due to the course’s grounding in core criminological theory, graduates will also be able to enter other growing linked sectors such as probation and rehabilitation services.

Graduates will also be able to continue their personal development though completing one of the masters programmes on offer from the criminology department, with further development opportunities available through the profdoc programme.

Successful completion of this undergraduate course will enable you to work within the statutory youth justice sector. There will also be significant scope to work within secure estates, such as the Youth Offending Institution Feltham or Thameside. These institutions often work in partnership with organisations such as Catch 22 or the Shaw Trust, which offer specific interventions around violence, rehabilitation and resettlement.

You’ll also be able to work within a local authority, national government or regulatory body policy team, helping to shape the future of rehabilitation and support for young offenders.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• a minimum of three A levels with grades BBC (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma or Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits)
• GCSE English Language at grade C/grade 4 or above (or equivalent)

If you don't have traditional qualifications or can't meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing our Criminology (including foundation year) BSc or Social Sciences and Humanities (including foundation year) BA.

To study a degree at London Met, you must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. If you require a Tier 4 student visa you may need to provide the results of a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

If you need (or wish) to improve your English before starting your degree, the University offers a Pre-sessional Academic English course to help you build your confidence and reach the level of English you require.