BA (Hons) Youth and Community Work with JNC Qualification

Outline of course: aims Professionally educate to graduate level: academic development to BA (Hons) external fieldwork placements professional qualified status (JNC)

Outline of course: structure 3 years full time 5 years part-time 1 external fieldwork placement per year Modular leading to 360 credits

Outline of course: learning Level 4 / Yr. 1 Theory & practice youth work 1 Working with individuals Youth in society Working with groups Inclusion & Diversity Professional Fieldwork 1 12 weeks Level 5 / Yr. 2 Theory & practice youth work 2 Community Development Leadership and Management Connecting Practice Professional Fieldwork 2 15 weeks Level 6 /3 Professional Fieldwork 3 15 weeks Research Project Theory & practice youth work 3 Young People, global and comparative studies

Placement requirements 888 hours minimum (890 hours) At least 50% direct face to face work At least 50% time direct with 13’s–19’s Remainder of time – within organisation and Uni sessions Travel to/from placement additional 2 or 3 different settings / organisations

Placement timing Level 4 / Yr. 1 Theory & practice youth work 1 Sep - Dec ‘13 Professional Fieldwork 1 12 weeks w/c 27 Jan ’ wks/ 30 x ½ days Level 5 / Yr. 2 Theory & practice youth work 2 Sep – Dec ‘14 Professional Fieldwork 2 15 weeks w/c 12 Jan ‘ wks/ 120 x ½ days Level 6 /Yr. 3 Professional Fieldwork 3 15 weeks late Sep ’ wks/ 120 x ½ days Theory & practice youth work 3 Jan – April ‘16

Key dates Oct/Nov ‘13 – identify placements w/c 18 Nov ’13 → student visit to placement Nov/Dec ‘13 - placement matching mid Jan ‘14 – final placement details w/c Mon 27 Jan ‘14 placement starts w/c 24 Feb ‘14 interim sup & tutor report w/e Sun 6 April ‘14 placement ends Tue 6 May ‘14 – students’ hand in file & final supervisor report 19 May ‘14 final tutor report

Roles – Placement Fieldwork co-ordinator – Fieldwork supervisors – Fieldwork Tutor

Fieldwork Placement Co-ordinator Identify a range of appropriate placement opportunities Work with students to identify their learning needs Work alongside placement agencies to set up placements Brief students on the expectations, assessment requirements and resources for placements Allocate, support and liaise with fieldwork tutors Monitor and review the range of placement opportunities

Fieldwork Supervisor This is the supervisor from the host organisation Be aware of the placement process and requirements Negotiate the learning contract Provide a welcoming environment Provide opportunities where the student can learn Provide time for supervision Complete interim and final assessment Complete the hours monitoring form Provide constructive feedback on the placement experience

Supervisor qualifications and experience Because of the importance of this role in the success of a placement, all Fieldwork supervisors should be able to meet the following criteria: Hold an appropriate qualification (preferably JNC recognised) Substantial experience in youth and community work or a related area At least 1 years’ experience managing or supervising staff or volunteers Committed to enabling the development of other practice Understand context youth & community work e.g. changing local / national policy Provide required level of formal supervision (1 hour per fortnight for level 1 placement and 1 hour per week for level 2 and 3) Attend 3 way meetings with student and University tutor Commitment to familiarising with the role of the fieldwork tutor Attend briefing meetings, and training as appropriate N.B Where the placement is taking place in the student’s place of work the fieldwork supervisor should not be the student’s line manager

Fieldwork Tutor Employed by the university on a casual basis All JNC qualified Provide a key point of contact between student, placement and university throughout the placement Provide individual tutorial support to the student during placement Guide the student in reflecting on their learning throughout the placement and relating this to the NOS. Support the student and fieldwork supervisor in addressing any issues that arise

Assessment process Fieldwork supervisors report Youth work values and principles National Occupational Standards Attendance Academic work

Fieldwork supervisors reports There are 2: interim and final report. The interim is due at the mid point of the placement and should be used to identify areas of strength and areas of concern- so that these can be addressed. The final report assesses students against the National Occupational Standards and values of youth work. Each placement focuses on different areas of competence.

Youth work values and principles Fieldwork supervisors are asked to assess whether students are able to develop competence in delivering work in line with youth work values and principles at all placement levels

Youth work Values from NOS Participation and active involvement Equity, diversity and inclusion Partnership with young people and others Personal, social and political development These values underpin and are to be reflected within the requirements of the relevant standards

National Occupational Standards The placements assess students against the NOS in youth work Each placement aims to allow students to focus on different areas The fieldwork supervisors report looks at additional competencies on placement 2 and 3 as student skills and experience develop Year 1 assesses 10 areas, Year 2 assesses 16 and Year 3 assesses all 19 areas

National Occupational Standards

Attendance Students need to complete the required number of hours to complete the placement Field work supervisors monitor and sign off to ensure they have done this Students expected to contact the placement agency and university if unable to attend work Fieldwork supervisors should monitor attendance Unauthorised absences are seen as professional misconduct- fieldwork supervisors should inform the university of any unauthorised absences a.s.a.p.

Academic work Alongside the placement, students are expected to be completing academic work Developed to support the placement experience For all placements students are required to compile a practice file, including paperwork and a self assessment against the relevant NOS areas There is also an essay, the content varies each year Year 1 - two case studies, one of a piece of work with a group, and one with an individual Year 2 - a funding application Year 3 - an agency analysis

Forms! Fieldwork supervisors will need to provide input in to or complete some paperwork! Learning contract – student’s responsibility Health and safety checklist - student’s responsibility Three way meting checklist - student’s responsibility Hours/ absence monitoring – fieldwork supervisors responsibility Interim fieldwork supervisors report – fieldwork supervisors responsibility Final fieldwork supervisors report – fieldwork supervisors responsibility Fieldwork placement evaluation form – fieldwork supervisors responsibility Fieldwork placement payment form – fieldwork supervisors responsibility Fieldwork placement providers declaration – fieldwork supervisors responsibility

Dealing with concerns Where a placement provider has concerns regarding the student’s suitability to practice, contact fieldwork tutor a.s.a.p. If student experiencing problems with placement, they should first discuss these with the fieldwork supervisor If this does not resolve it- supervisor should discuss with the fieldwork tutor. The fieldwork tutor may request a 3 way meeting to address the issue If the matter remains unresolved the fieldwork tutor may decide it is best if the student is placed elsewhere If the fieldwork supervisor is concerned the student at risk of failing placement, they should discuss the matter with the student and fieldwork tutor a.s.a.p. and agree remedial action

Supervision approach In the context of the fieldwork placement supervision provides a regular, structured opportunity for the student to discuss their work; to analyse and reflect on issues that arise from it; and identify what they are learning, and area for further development. Supervision should take place in an quiet area. Supervision should be uninterrupted Students should prepare for supervision, identifying issues they wish to examine Supervision should take place for one hour per fortnight in a level 1 placement and 1 hour per week at level 2 and 3