Working with children requires the development of the knowledge, skills, and values associated with topics including communication, transitions, relationships, health, play, participation, working with parents, early intervention and safeguarding. All these subjects, and more, are taught in the context of current law and social policy, with an emphasis on the need for different agencies and practitioners to work together. Using a blend of text and online study materials, you will explore working with children aged 0–12. Studying this practice-focused module will help you to meet the professional and occupational standards required in childcare, health, social care and educational children’s services.
What you will study
This module is suitable for a wide range of people working with children aged 0–12 in child care, health and social care and educational settings; in the statutory, voluntary and private sectors. It will also appeal to those with a general interest in the field of childhood studies.
The module:
- supports the development of a skilled, effective, integrated workforce for children’s services
- develops the knowledge and skills needed to work collaboratively, effectively and equitably within an integrated interdisciplinary workforce for children
- develops your critical understanding of the ethical, social, legal, political and practice factors and frameworks as applied to work with children
- explores interdisciplinarity as it relates to work with and for children
- develops the knowledge and skills required to improve children’s wellbeing and outcomes for children.
Study will involve the use of online learning guides and three module textbooks: Connecting with children: developing working relationships; Promoting children’s wellbeing: policy and practice and Changing children’s services: working and learning together. The module will make substantial use of online resources and aims to develop your skills in information and communication technology (ICT). Other teaching materials include a specially made DVD.
Entry
This is an OU level 3 module. OU level 3 modules build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at OU levels 1 and 2. They are intended for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, preferably with the OU.
The Open University modules Working with children, young people and families (K218), Childhood (E212), or Child development (ED209) (now discontinued) or a relevant foundation degree would be suitable prior study.
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
If you successfully complete KE312 you can claim a Certificate in Working Together for Children (C93).
KE312 is a compulsory module in our:
KE312 is an optional module in our:
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. 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
Written transcripts of any audio components and Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader. Other alternative formats of the study materials may be available in the future.
Study materials
What's included
The online learning guides, the module website, a module guide, three module textbooks and a DVD. Through the module website you will have access to various teaching, assessment, and library resources. The series of KE312 online learning guides are key elements of the module, taking you through the different components of the module. Electronic versions of most of the printed study materials are also provided on the module website.
You will need
As well as being available from the online learning guides, the majority of the audio-visual components of this module are also delivered on a DVD that will play on a standard DVD player and television. If you want to view this on a computer, it will need a DVD-ROM drive and software for viewing DVDs.
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. Part of your tuition is delivered online so some of the contact with your tutor will be through email online discussion forums and tutorials, although phone communication may also be used. We will also be able to offer group tutorials that you are encouraged to attend. Where these 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.
Future availability
The details given here are for the module that starts in October 2017. This module is expected to start for the last time in October 2017.
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.