Overview
Children, Young People and Policy is an e-learning degree programme which offers students a flexible and innovative approach to learning via new media. Contemporary children’s and young people’s services require a skilled, competent and confident workforce which is based on a commitment to multi-professionalism, ethical practice and professional integrity. Children, Young People and Policy is a transdisciplinary degree underpinned by children’s rights and developing integrated and responsive services for children, young people and families. This course examines the key principles of inter-agency and multi-disciplinary working and incorporates professional leadership and management to improve outcomes and reduce inequalities for children and young people.
The course adopts a 'child/young person - centred' philosophy throughout and reflects the principles of protecting the rights and interests of children and young people set out in contemporary legislative frameworks. Widespread changes in British social policy address the increasing influence of children’s rights and this course is underpinned by the principles set out by the UNCRC and is based on children’s rights to protection, prevention, provision and, increasingly, the importance of participation.
The course aims to help students to develop:
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Knowledge and understanding of the conceptual underpinnings social policy as an interdisciplinary discipline in relation to children and young people
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A capacity to assess critically evidence drawn from a range of social science disciplines to develop a critical understanding of how social policies and children’s and young people’s lives are continuously reconstructed and changed through structural and cultural issues
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Transferable specific and generic skills of value in employment in the children’s workforce, to further study and for personal and professional development
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Employers value the qualities and skills of social science graduates and typical employers include the social sector and children's and young people's services, local and central government, charitable, counselling and voluntary organisations. Graduates additionally take up opportunities for further study on related Masters courses and PhD study.
Content and Modules
Children, Young People and Policy adopts a wide variety of learning, teaching and assessment strategies and incorporates elements of distributed learning using new technologies, now widely acknowledged to facilitate inclusion and participation.
This course is available for study on either a part-time or full-time basis and is comprised of three modules at each of levels 4, 5 and 6
First year modules
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Introduction to Social Policy
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Promoting Wellbeing
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Children's Rights
Second year modules
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Ethical Research with Children and Young People
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Safeguarding Policy
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Children and Young People
Third year modules
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Young People
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Crime and Society
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The Future of Childhood Research Dissertation
Contemporary society is an increasingly media-rich environment which universities are able to exploit to create greater accessibility to education. E-learning is an intrinsically student-centred approach to learning in that students can choose the time, place and speed of their studying. The ecology of this flexibility promotes wider participation, greater inclusion and supports the Lifelong Learning agenda.
Since UCS was established we have extensively used innovative technology through our VLE (virtual learning environment) and we continue to develop learning programmes that use the latest electronic media. Students are able to choose from synchronous and asynchronous communication systems such as blogs, videos, podcasts, wikis, web-quests and text-based materials. Furthermore students will be given online training so that they gain the initial standard of ICT skills that they require to confidently access the rich learning resources.
This e-learning interface uses standardised formats and guided study units for a straightforward student experience.
Further Information
Work placements are not a required aspect of this course although those students not currently employed within the Children, Young People sector will be encouraged to undertake some related experience on a voluntary basis.
The course is designed so that students who are working can study this course on a part-time basis. Assessments are designed to be interesting, challenging and appropriate. The course adopts a variety of assessment strategies including essays, presentations, debates, and policy analysis, developed to suit the different learning styles of students. All assessment will be submitted electronically.