BA (Hons) Youth and Community Work

Duration: 3 years full-time

Requirements:

Applicants must have three A-levels at grades CCD or above, BTEC triple grades MMP or above, or Access 3-36 D/M with min 3D and GCSE English Language at grade 4 or grade C or above.

UCAS points: 88UCAS code: L530

Fees UK students: £9,250 per annum

Fees for International students: £11,000 per annum

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Applicants should have sufficient practical experience prior to commencement of the course (i.e. 100 hours practical work with young people and / or communities). A DBS check is required. All suitable applicants will be interviewed during which you will need to be able to demonstrate a level of interest and experience. Applicants with other qualifications and/or experience will be considered on an individual basis.

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Course Overview

Through supervised professional practice placements and university-based study, you will learn how to work with young people and the communities in which they live to help them realise their potential. This delicate and expert approach will allow you to build relationships, helping to inspire and stimulate the people you work with to make positive changes in their lives. You will develop your professional identity through your unique placements, theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

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Placements are a significant part of the course and help you build the professional confidence and skills necessary to make a difference to other peoples’ lives. You can do your placement in three different environments, broadening your skills and experience as you progress. You may choose to do one of your placements overseas, for example with our partners Helsinki Youth Service. Each youth and community work student is unique, and therefore brings their own interests and skill sets to the profession. This course is all about fostering students’ individual passions within the field.

Why this course at Marjon?

25 years’ experience in training some of the UK’s most outstanding youth and community professionals.
The National Youth Agency has assessed and validated the course to meet the professional qualification for youth work (as set out by the JNC).
The teaching team are leaders in international research meaning teaching is informed by the most current thinking.
Extensive placements (the equivalent of one year on placements over the three years) help you build the professional confidence and skills to make a difference to other peoples’ lives.
You may choose to do one of your placements overseas, for example with our partners Helsinki Youth Service.

Perfect if you're curious about:

Is it more difficult being a teenager in the 21st century?
Are we really ready to listen to young people?
Are young people a cause of concern or a hope for the future?
Is society scared of or scared for communities in crisis?
What does the future look like to a 13 year old?
Have you got what it takes to make a difference?

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Course Snapshot

Associate Professor Sue Cooper - Course Leader

"In your first year you will explore the nature of youth & community work and gain an understanding of the key concepts and be able to apply this in practice over 250 hours on placement. During year two you will learn about groupwork, project management and how politics affects youth and community work, again applying this in practice across a 12 week block placement. In the third year you will develop expertise through your own research project, optional specialist modules and by looking at the current debates around how youth and community work is changing, preparing you to go out there to make a difference!"

Modules

Year 1 and 2 modules are compulsory. Year 3 modules are compulsory unless marked with an asterisk (*):

1st Year

Introduction to Youth & Community Work
You’ll explore the nature of youth & community work, its histories, values and process and the many different settings and methods associated with youth & community work practice. You’ll develop an understanding of key concepts such as participation and empowerment and how these are central to informal education.
Interpersonal Communication & Relationship Skills
You’ll explore the elements of effective interpersonal communication and how conversation is used for informal learning purposes. You’ll develop an understanding of communication models, verbal, non-verbal and para-language. You will develop your understanding of personal & professional boundaries and skills in developing trusting relationships.
Engaging with Learning
You’ll develop a range of skills that will support your academic and professional development e.g. accessing & using resources, reflective practice, critical thinking and understanding assessment. Working collaboratively around a shared passion you will develop practitioner knowledge and awareness that will support the development of your professional self.
Diversity, Inclusion & Social Justice
You’ll explore the key concepts of social divisions e.g. class, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, age and religion, and the nature and impact of discrimination. You’ll develop an understanding of the significance of power, language, discourse and inequalities and increase your awareness of your own history, biography and value base.
Issues & Interventions
You’ll explore a range of contemporary social issues e.g. health, housing, employment, crime and develop an understanding of the social construction of issues and policy responses. Using an enquiry- based groupwork approach you will create a learning resource for youth & community work practice.
Level 1 Professional Practice Placement
You’ll complete 256 hours of supervised practice in an appropriate setting over a six month period and achieve a range of National Occupational Standards. You’ll develop understanding and skills in forming positive relationships and using these to create opportunities for informal learning.

2nd Year

Policy & Practice
You’ll explore the political landscape, political perspectives on social policy and the policy making process of the UK, and the construction of the welfare subject. You’ll develop an understanding the role of social movements and community action in challenging injustice and discrimination.
Participatory Groupwork
You’ll explore the theories and practice of groupwork and the use of groupwork in informal education. You’ll develop an understanding of group facilitation, power and empowerment, and group management; building observation and reviewing skills to enable you to effectively use group work in practice.
Developing & Leading Projects
You’ll develop an understanding of project management and, working collaboratively, use this to design and implement a project. You’ll develop skills in needs assessment, planning, project design and evaluation. You’ll demonstrate creativity, innovation and enterprise as well as team work, conflict resolution, self-management and accountability.
Practitioner Research
You’ll develop an understanding of the purpose and practice of practitioner research. You’ll gain an understanding of research ethics and reflexivity and skills in research methods, reviewing literature, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. You’ll be prepared to conduct your practitioner research project.
Level 2 Professional Practice Placement
You’ll complete 370 hours of supervised practice in an appropriate setting over a ten week period and achieve a range of National Occupational Standards. You’ll develop understanding and skills in organising and managing a specific project within the setting.

3rd Year

Organising, Leading & Managing Practice
You’ll explore a range of management and leadership theories and examine how these work in practice. You’ll develop an understanding of the distinctive and changing culture of youth work organisations, including social entrepreneurship, models of social enterprise and social investment. You’ll explore strategic development and leadership and the funding of youth & community work.
Practitioner Research Project
You’ll explore, through research, an area of your choosing (and appropriate to the course). You’ll develop a critical understanding of a practice-related issue or topic in order to produce a dissertation, and develop your expertise in this area.
Changing Practice: Current Controversies & Dilemmas
You’ll explore the range of issues, controversies & complexities which underlie contemporary youth work practice. You’ll have the opportunity to critically assess a current issue, controversy or complexity which underlies your own practice. You’ll develop a critical understanding of the professional role as educator in relation to other professional interventions in the lives of young people and communities.
Level 3 Professional Practice Placement
You’ll complete 174 hours of supervised practice in an appropriate setting over a twelve week period and achieve a range of National Occupational Standards. You’ll develop understanding and implementing youth & community work strategy within the setting.

Please note: This course is subject to validation which means that it is either a new course or that the content is currently being updated. You can apply for this course now while some of the details of the course are being finalised by the University. Please contact the course leader if you would like further information.

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What might you become?

The jobs market has changed significantly over the past few years and these are exciting times for graduates from this programme as the range and scope of employment opportunities has never been so diverse.

Opportunities exist across the sectors, in voluntary and charitable organisations, in the public sector, for example children’s’ services, schools and colleges; and in the private sector.

Recent graduates have forged careers in a range of settings including: school inclusion projects and alternative curriculum projects, in youth offending teams, in youth projects and detached projects, in housing and advice agencies and in housing projects.

“I am over the moon to be working in community work, paid to do a job I dreamt of. I am working at the place I most enjoyed in my university placements, with a team of dedicated people who are proud to help homeless and vulnerable young people. My university placements showed me policy and procedure in action and I engaged with ‘the real world’ of community support. I can only convey my gratitude to my lecturers and peers to thank you for all your help. I would not have done it without you.”

“I feel very passionate about my work, it makes a huge impact on the people I meet. Taking time to understand and explore why a person behaves in a certain way and how to react to this is something I explored throughout my degree. I am more confident in my own professional judgement and feel confident in managing and supervising volunteers. My three years at Marjon saw me grow as a person and due to the support received from my lecturers, I left feeling ready to take on new challenges.”

“I didn’t think I would ever go to uni. The tutors were really good in giving me the confidence to go on and I did well, its one of the things I’m most proud of. Uni gave me the language to be able to have this job and the understanding of the law. Five years ago I’d have thought I could never have this job and that’s what going to Marjon gave me.”

“I support young people to improve their overall health by reducing problematic drug and/or alcohol use and associated harms. The work is diverse, no two sessions ever the same. What I love most is building the rapport and therapeutic relationships critical for the meaningful work to take place and improve wellbeing and future outcomes. The degree has given a solid foundation to all of my practice and vital understanding of the theory behind the dynamics of therapeutic relationships.”

How will you be taught?

Teaching generally includes 9 hours a week, split between lectures and activity-based seminars. Tutorials focus on individual personal and professional development. Three professional practice placements totaling 800 hours take place in up to three different settings and are supervised by professional practitioners. In the final year, the practitioner research project enables students to specialise in an area of their choosing.

How will you be assessed?

Assessment methods are based on coursework (essays, reports reviews), presentations and the production of placement files that include reflective practice and self-assessment. Professional practice is assessed against the National Occupational Standards.

Course Leader

Dr Susan Cooper

Associate Professor

Sue is a youth work academic and author, specialising in participatory practice. She was youth and community worker for thirty years, working as youth worker in Norfolk, Birmingham and Gloucestershire and then and as a senior manager in Hampshire. Currently, her work on evaluating the impact of youth work is influencing youth work practice regionally and internationally (Scotland, France, Italy, Estonia, Finland and Western Australia). Her book ‘Participatory Evaluation in Youth and Community Work’ was published in 2017.

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Current Students

“I most enjoy how supportive the tutors are and the wide variety of topics that are covered. The learning environment is very easy going and not once since starting have I felt overwhelmed. Due to having some difficulties with assignments the University and my tutors give me ongoing support and guidance which has been fantastic. I like that it is more placement based and that you're not continuously given assignments.”

“I have enjoyed all aspects of the course so far and I have been able to produce work which I am proud of. I’ve been taught how to write academically and I’ve realised that reading around the subject increases your knowledge, which has given me confidence in both my work and placements. The lecturers are extremely helpful and aid you to achieve to your highest ability.”

Lecturers

Dr Jon Ord

Associate Professor

Jon has worked for 20 years as a youth work practitioner and brings that knowledge and commitment to youth work to his teaching and research. He is particularly interested in the impact of policy on practice as well as the management of youth and community work and outdoor education. Jon is leading a major research project into the value and impact of Youth Work on the lives of young people in Europe.

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Chris Simpson

Senior Lecturer Institute of Education

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Dr Sue Wayman

Senior Lecturer

Sue teaches primarily in Education Studies but has a multidisciplinary understanding with experience of teaching Development Studies and Geography here. She is working on research projects both nationally and internationally.

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More Info

Five recent placement examples:

Livewire - students work alongside experienced staff working with young people through music.
SpaceShot - students experience centre-based and detached youth work in deprived areas.
All Saints Academy - youth work in a formal education setting, supporting and mentoring young people.
Seymour House - working with young people who are excluded from school or who are at risk of exclusion.
The Zone - students experience working in Information & Advice; offering young people emotional support and information around issues such as housing, sexual health and mental health.

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