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Working with Children and Young People in Context: Research, systems and professional practice

  • Module code: SW6004
  • Year: 2018/9
  • Level: 6
  • Credits: 30
  • Pre-requisites: None
  • Co-requisites: None

Summary

This module explores the impact of research, factors and systems that affect children and young people. It explores current issues and dilemmas facing a range of professionals working with children and young people, including social workers, nurses, teachers and Early Years practitioners. In this module, students will explore different strategies to support children and young people in the context of their life experience.

Aims

This module aims to enable students:

  • to develop frameworks for analysis of the  factors which affect children and young people;
  • to critique and analyse the systems around children and young people and explore possibilities for change to these;
  • to develop knowledge of central issues involved in professional work with children and young people

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to use frameworks to:

  • critically evaluate  factors and systems impacting on children and young people;
  • critically analyse  the roles and responsibilities of professionals working with children and young people to promote wellbeing;
  • critically analyse how factors and systems around children and young people can be worked with  or challenged;
  • critically evaluate research and other evidence supporting approaches taken by professionals working with children and young people

Curriculum content

  • Frameworks used to explore the impact of particular factors and systems on children and young people.
  • Factors and systems will include: poverty, mental health, domestic violence, substance use, disability, ethnicity , parenting programmes, professional approaches
  • Exploration of the links between the family, interprofessional agencies and the wider community
  • Critical approaches to service delivery for children and young people
  • Evaluation of research and other evidence

Teaching and learning strategy

This module builds on learning from levels 4, 5 and 6 by consolidating students' understanding of the theory, literature and research that informs work with children and young people.  Lectures will focus on the process of critical analysis regarding the knowledge base required to develop understanding of children and young people and plan effective interventions. Practice seminars will focus on reviewing the use of frameworks for analysis drawing on psychology, sociology, ethics, understanding of professional roles, legislation and social policy and current research.  During these seminars students are expected to present and debate their research and ideas with their peers. This will support and encourage individual progress and enable the exchange of ideas on theoretical and practical issues.

Breakdown of Teaching and Learning Hours

Definitive UNISTATS Category Indicative Description Hours
Scheduled learning and teaching Lectures Seminars Directed study in preparation for class presentation 10 20 50
Guided independent study Independent study 220
Total (number of credits x 10) 300

Assessment strategy

Formative assessment

Formative assessment opportunities will take place throughout the scheduled teaching sessions where students will discuss and present the reading they have undertaken and receive feedback on their understanding and critique. This will feed forward to the summative assessment.

Summative assessment

Summative assessment: A written assignment critically analysing research perspectives which addresses the factors and systems that affect children and young people. Students will be invited to choose from a range of topics. (3000 words essay)

Mapping of Learning Outcomes to Assessment Strategy (Indicative)

Learning Outcome Assessment Strategy
critically evaluate factors and systems impacting on children and young people; Class discussion and presentation (formative) Essay (summative)
critically analyse the roles and responsibilities of professionals working with children and young people to promote wellbeing; Class discussion and presentation (formative) Essay (summative)
critically analyse how factors and systems around children and young people can be worked with/ or challenged; Class discussion and presentation (formative) Essay (summative)
critically evaluate research and other evidence supporting approaches taken by professionals working with children and young people. Class discussion and presentation (formative) Essay (summative)

Elements of Assessment

Description of Assessment Definitive UNISTATS Categories Percentage
Coursework Essay 3000 words 100%
Total (to equal 100%) 100%

Achieving a pass

It is a requirement that the element of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.

Bibliography core texts

Bradshaw, J. (Ed.) (2011) The Well-being of children in the UK.  Bristol: The Policy Press.

Pollard, K., Thomas, J., and Miers, M (2009) Understanding interprofessional working in health and social care: theory and practice. Basingstoke. Palgrave Macmillan.

Trodd, L and Chivers, L (2011) Inter-professional working in practice: learning and working together for children and families. Maidenhead. Open University Press

Bibliography recommended reading

Gordon, DM., Oliveros, A., Hawes, S.W.,  Iwamoto, D.K., and Rayford, B.S. (2012)  Engaging fathers in child protection services: A review of factors and strategies across ecological systems. Children and Youth Services Review 34 (2012) 1399-1417

Institute of Public Care (2012) Early Intervention and Prevention with Children and Families: Getting the Most from Team around the Family Systems. Oxford Brookes University. 

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