Childhood and Youth

Many radical changes are taking place in this area of work and there is great demand for higher level professional skills.

Skills you can develop

As well as the specific subject knowledge gained from studying an OU degree, you'll develop many transferable and work-related skills that are highly valued by employers and which will increase your employability.

The OU Careers Advisory Service defines student employability as: ‘A set of capabilities and achievements that support students in developing their careers, raising their aspirations and enhancing their contribution to society’.

Whatever your motivations for study, your goals and career aspirations, you are entitled to supported personal development planning either as an intrinsic part of your programme of study or through signposted optional activities. You can view the full Student Employability Policy Statement on our website.

For Childhood and Youth students the employability skills you will develop that are highly valued by employers include:

• analysing, assessing and effectively communicating information to others
• competence in team and project work, supporting and/or supervising others
• organising, synthesising and questioning opinions and arguments
• evaluating the appropriateness of different approaches to problem-solving
• managing and organising time, resources and information to support decision-making
• reflecting on and learning from personal experience
• using ICT effectively and being able to interpret data.

To see specific learning outcomes related to the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in this area go to the following:

• Childhood and Youth Studies
• Early Years
• Youth Justice Studies (England and Wales)
• Youth Work
• Childhood and Youth (masters degree)

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Career opportunities

In the UK over 60% of graduates enter employment where a degree in any subject would be acceptable. In this instance what they offer the employer is evidence of the range of competencies which have been developed through their academic study, rather than the specific subject content of their degree. This page will focus on careers directly related to childhood and youth, however, if you want to explore all of the choices open to you, also refer to the ‘Further Resources’ section.

Given the current economic climate and the increased competition for graduate jobs, it is important to consider a range of occupational areas. Bear in mind that many careers require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

We advise you to thoroughly research your career choices as early as possible, particularly in relation to experience required, differences that relate to where you live, or where the study choices you make may affect future opportunities.

You can enter a range of careers by taking a qualification in this subject area and there is a great demand for the knowledge and analytical skills developed in OU study. For example, you could find openings in the following career areas

• childcare
• children and young people’s services
• counselling
• early years work including play therapy and hospital play
• educational psychology
• local, national and international policy development
• police work
• probation service (in Scotland a social work specialism - criminal justice)
• research
• speech therapy
• teaching assistant (classroom assistant in Scotland)*
• voluntary sector
• youth and community work

*Note that if you want to teach, The Open University does not offer routes into teaching in the early years and primary age ranges. See getting into teaching.

You need to be aware that the BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies and BA (Hons) Working with Young People are not qualification routes into teacher training. However some HEIs will consider the BA (Hons) Childhood and Youth Studies as an appropriate degree for entry into PGCE/PGDE Primary teacher training.

In England, as part of a commitment to a graduate led Early Years workforce, Early Years Professional Status (EYPS) was created for those working with children in the age range birth to five. The Government is on target to have an Early Years professional in all early years settings by 2015. From April 2012 responsibility for early years work (including the EYPS programme) will pass from the Children's Workforce Development Council to a new body called The Teaching Agency.

In Scotland all workers in early education and child care need to register with the Scottish Social Services Council.

In Wales, the Early Years and Childcare Workforce is regulated by the Care Council for Wales.

If you live in Ireland look at the relevant information on career sectors and jobs with your degree on the Gradireland website. The Career Directions website also provides individual career profiles. Also see the Community Exchange section of Active Link for jobs and voluntary opportunities in the not-for-profit sectors.

Use the Prospects website to explore career options related to this subject. Click on your subject to see examples of job roles and get information for further research. You may also find it useful to refer to the job profiles on the National Careers Service website, and do job searches under the keywords 'Children' and 'Youth'.

To find out about ways of gaining experience through volunteering, see our voluntary work pages. You can also make use of the searchable databases on the following websites:

• Do it!
• Volunteer Scotland
• Volunteer Ireland
• Volunteering Wales

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Your employers

Rigorous academic standards ensure that OU qualifications are recognised and valued by professional organisations and employers.

As an OU student, you can access the Employer Showcase to find out about some of the employers who are keen to recruit OU graduates, including:

One graduate employer, Logica, says this of OU students

If you are a student you might want to see further advice from major employers on applications, the skills they require and the value of OU study. Go to our What employers say pages.

As an OU student you can also register for our online vacancy service and receive email notification about job opportunities.

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Further resources

Use the other sections of this web site to

• plan your career
• explore your career options  
• identify your achievements, skills and strengths
• get advice on job seeking

Don’t forget to check the careers home page regularly for news of events, forums, careers fairs and short courses. If you are an OU student you can participate in and read entries on our online forums.

If you are a current OU student (or finished your studies within the last three years) you are entitled to a careers consultation with a careers adviser in your region or nation. This is designed to help you through the planning process and identify an action plan for your future. (Non-OU students should go to the Contact page of this website for other sources of careers advice.)

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