Work in the area of youth justice is different from most work in social care in that it spans two potentially conflicting goals – to support children and young people who are ‘in trouble’ while, at the same time, addressing their troublesome behaviour. This key introductory OU level 1 module will equip you with the knowledge, skills and insights that make up the foundations of effective practice in the field of youth justice. If you're working (or you intend to work) as a volunteer or professional, you’ll be able to apply your learning directly, and to improve your practice and that of your agency or team. If not, you'll gain valuable insight into the policy and debate within youth justice and associated services.
What you will study
The youth justice system in England and Wales is designed to prevent children and young people from offending and re-offending, using a wide range of approaches and strategies. These youth-offending services operate in conjunction with Children’s Trusts and other agencies that promote children’s welfare and their healthy development.
This module will develop your basic knowledge and understanding of the youth justice system in England and Wales; the cognitive skills and key skills required for undergraduate study at OU level 1; and the capacity to reflect constructively upon your practice and the operation of the team or agency in which you work. You’ll gain a grounding in evidence-based practice in this field and competence in applying the methods, values and principles of effective practice to your practice. By the end of the module, you’ll be able to accurately and discriminately specify, search for and use the information needed for effective practice in work within the youth justice system, and show that you’re confident and competent in the relevant communication and learning skills at a level that enables you to continue to develop as an autonomous learner and a reflective practitioner.
Entry
This is a key introductory OU level 1 module. OU level 1 modules provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, which help you to progress to modules at OU level 2.
If you are currently working in a Youth Offending Team and would like to be sponsored for this module you should liaise with your Manager about potential sponsorship.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Preparatory work
You will receive guidance of how to get started online in your first module mailing. This will provide you with information on using your computer for OU study and working with the Computing Guide. For example, it explains how to access and use your website and online discussion forums. If you have time before the module starts, you can work through this and explore all the online services available to you.
Qualifications
K115 is a compulsory module in our
K115 is an optional module in our
We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this module can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying K115 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
Study materials
What's included
Module Guide, three Learning Guides and a wallchart. You will have access to a website through which teaching, assessment and library resources are available. Electronic versions of most of the printed study materials are also provided on the website.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the study material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. If you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor is particularly concerned to help you with your study methods. You will also attend group tutorials and day-schools. Where your tutorials and day schools are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the module.
Contact us if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
The end-of-module assessment (EMA) must be submitted online.
Professional recognition
The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales has the statutory responsibility of monitoring standards in the youth justice system with the central aim of preventing offending by children and young people. It also has the responsibility of advising the Home Office on youth crime issues, and funding Youth Offending Teams across England and Wales. The Board sets the national standards for youth justice, the key elements of effective practice and the quality assurance framework.
Future availability
Foundations for effective practice in youth justice starts once a year – in October. This page describes the module that will start in October 2018 when we expect it to be presented for the last time.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the academic regulations which are available on our
Student Policies and Regulations website.