Community, Youth and Families FdA

Modules
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Year 1
Academic Skills (SEHC)
Your vital skills and abilities will be developed to enable you to study effectively at an undergraduate level. Key learning concepts will be identified and related to skills relevant to the industry, which will then be developed through a variety of tasks and activities. This is done in a relevant context that takes into account the wider education and community focus of your course as a whole.
Democratic and Inclusive Practice
In this module you will explore how you impact on the learning and development of others in the context of informal education by looking at how your actions and behaviours influence others. You will learn about how to educate through conversation, critical dialogue, experiential learning, group work and creative activities. Taking part in group discussions and activities will help you to develop your skills so as to foster democratic and inclusive practice.
Developing Community-Based Organisations
You will develops understanding of the organisations in which youth, community and family workers are employed, and the distinctive cultures that this sector has. You will learn about the management and leadership of teams and individuals in community-based projects including inter-professional and interdisciplinary working, and learn about how staff can be properly supported. This module will also develop your understanding of anti-discriminatory practice at organisational level. This module will also help you to develop initiatives, projects and programmes using appropriate professional frameworks and methods.
Policies and Practice
In this module you will be introduced to the concepts of social justice, ideology and the development of social policy and explore them in relation to the development of youth, community and family services. The nature of interdisciplinary and collaborative working in the current social policy climate are explored as well as the current policy drivers in contemporary practice, such as in health, education, social care and crime. You will develop skills in networking and multi-agency working with other professionals, community groups and young people's projects.
Principles of Professional Practice for Employability
You will learn how to become self-aware in order to support an understanding of how personal value systems, attitudes, skills and qualities impact upon the management role of the professional within the sector. Developing an understanding of interpersonal skills and effective communication will prepare you for future work placements and employment opportunities.
Understanding Self and Others in Practice
This module invites students to explore how they impact on the learning and development of others in the context of informal education, through a combination of practice knowledge and practical placement/work based experience within a practice setting. Students are encouraged to develop reflective skills in order to recognise how their actions and behaviours influence others. To facilitate this, students will study models of life course development to help them locate key influences and experiences in their own life which contribute to their sense of personal and professional identity.
Year 2
Ethics in Practice
You will be looking at how to enhance ethical practice in the workplace. You will consider your personal ethical decision making, and consider how you are accountable to other professionals and service users. You will also learn about how law and policy ensures the safety and support of Youth, Community and Family practitioners and the people they work with.
Interpersonal Communication Skills for Managing The Professional Environment
Awareness of self and others is vital to the aims and objectives of this module, and it explores the individual processes and the analysis of effective management functions within the workplace environment. Understanding your own communication skills, and how to encourage these developments in other people, is crucial.
Research For Enquiry
You will be developing your expertise in the evaluation and use of essential research tools through class activities and scenarios. You will be encouraged to challenge research through your own analysis and establish your own research objectives and tools in order to collect and evaluate information and data.
Working with Communities
You will explore the history and theory of community based practice, which is education outside the formal learning and assessment process. You will learn how to work with people in communities to create change that is based on a commitment to social justice.
Options:
Working with Families
You will explore the sociological, psychological and cultural aspects of the concept of 'family' as well as researching the types of dynamics within a family unit. Professional intervention in family-related work will also be examined and explored through placement or work based practice.
Young People in Transition
You will explore the sociological, psychological and cultural aspects of the concept of 'young people' including the transitions they may face as they move towards adulthood. Professional intervention in work with young people will also be examined and explored through placement or work based practice.
Criminology and Criminal Justice
This module will provide you with an introduction to the social sciences in relation to criminology and criminal justice. This includes historical developments within the area and an exploration of different theories and perspectives. You will also be studying values and ethics and the structural impact of criminal justice practice.
Substance Misuse
You will develop a realistic awareness and understanding of the use and misuse of all illegal and legal drugs, the numerous treatment options, the social context of recreational and problematic drug use and related theory and policy.
Working with Gangs
If you want to pursue a professional role working with people in gangs, this module will equip you with theoretical understanding of the processes that contribute to why people are involved in gangs and gang violence. You will investigate the discourse surrounding urban street gangs, discuss appropriate interventions, critically analyse government responses and how to engage communities.
Family Wellbeing
Social and emotional health and wellbeing are foundations for enabling a family to function. You will be focusing on the needs of a new family and the skills and strategies required by practitioners to support these needs. You will also be exploring theoretical concepts surrounding resilient wellbeing and therapeutic relationships as well as reviewing family support services to enable a wider understanding of the sector.
Mentoring for Learning
In order to support the practice of mentoring, you will build on your knowledge, skills and attitudes as well as participating in practical activities in order to enable you to explore ideas within mentoring and develop your understanding of it as a learning resource.
Research option
In the final year students will have the option of choosing one of the following research modules:
Professional Engagement
You will have the opportunity to deepen your knowledge within a chosen area of the course and the related industry. Using your creativity, problem-solving abilities and data analysis techniques, you will communicate the application, management of research and appraisal of your chosen area under the supervision of an experienced tutor.
Research Project (SEHC)
You will develop your independent learning, problem solving and analytical skills by choosing a particular area of the course and related industry to study in greater depth. You will be encouraged to integrate concepts and knowledge from previous modules and draw on wide range of academic and industrial resources, supported by a lecturer within personal tutorials.