Educational aims
The overall aim of this qualification is to provide people who work in the youth justice system (or those wishing to enter the field from a background in more general youth work) with the skills and knowledge necessary to assist them in their practice.
The OU level 1 and 2 modules are compulsory and cover a wide range of materials about children and young people, crime and offending, including theories of crime and the practice of restorative justice.
At OU level 3, you can choose from two modules after studying the compulsory OU level 3 module, which is a general module designed to improve your ability to negotiate, plan and execute practice objectives by both assessing evidence and, where appropriate, analysing research findings. The two optional modules allow you to specialise in youth work or research with children and young people.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You will gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the empirical and conceptual basis of the youth and criminal justice systems and the values on which they are based
- the function and operation of the youth justice system in England and Wales within the wider context of services for children and their families
- the roles and responsibilities of those who work within the youth justice system
- the national and international legal and regulatory frameworks within which the youth and criminal justice systems in England and Wales operate, the rights they afford, and the requirements and responsibilities they place on agencies and practitioners, as well as the children and young people with whom they work
- principles of practice that promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and counters all forms of discrimination and exclusion; the evidence base for the need to actively pursue such goals
- some of the theoretical bases for youth work and youth justice work, including theories of: risk, children’s rights, child and adolescent development, resilience and anti-social behaviour
- demonstrate systematic knowledge and critical understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles underlying your practice, informed by current thinking and practice developments.
Cognitive skills
On completion of the degree, you will be able to:
- analyse and synthesise theories and demonstrate how these can inform the development of more effective practice with children and young people in youth justice contexts
- critically interpret research evidence and apply it as the basis of evidence-based practice
- develop and apply problem-solving approaches to the resolution of complex issues
- evaluate and resolve issues by drawing on a range of professional and theoretical perspectives.
Practical and/or professional skills
On completion of the degree, you will be able to:
- Understand and describe the process of assessment and planning of interventions for children and young people in youth justice contexts.
- Show awareness of the delivery of interventions designed to (a) tackle the risks faced by young people to their current welfare, to their healthy development and to their life-opportunities, and (b) encourage young people to desist from offending or reduce their offending behaviour.
- Show awareness of the work done in partnerships with other professional groups and agencies working with children and young people in youth justice contexts
- plan for one’s own continuing personal and professional development
- Critically evaluate approaches to service provision and reflect on strategies for improving practice and developing quality services.
Key skills
On completion of the degree, you will be able to:
- communicate ideas, principles, theories, arguments and analyses effectively in writing, using visual and ICT tools where appropriate
- identify, present and develop systematic arguments, drawing on appropriate, up-to-date evidence, literature and theory
- reflect on your own learning constructively in order to develop as an effective and antonymous learner, including maintaining records of your personal learning and development
- apply relevant IT solutions to situations.
Teaching, learning and assessment methods
Assessment is an integral part of the teaching and learning – you will be required to complete tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and end-of-module assessments (EMAs).
Tuition is a mixture of face-to-face day schools and online tutorials. The OU level 1 and 2 work-based modules require verification of practice by your workplace supervisor.