Description
This qualification is only available until 31 December 2016.
To claim this qualification, you must complete the required 90 credits by this date.
In order to complete this qualification, you should have already studied Introduction to working with young people (E131) or the fast track Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) module – EZL131.
If you have any questions about your eligibility for this qualification please contact the Credit, Qualifications and Ceremonies Centre on +44(0) 1908 653003 or by email.
Do you have experience of working with young people in informal settings such as youth clubs, youth organisations like the Guides or Scouts, or other groups working with young people aged 13–19 years? Are you thinking about volunteering for such a role, or considering a career in youth work? This certificate is an excellent place to start – even if you’re not yet working with young people, as it’s not until you study the second module (which is work-based) that you’ll need to be working in an appropriate setting. The Certificate in Working with Young People is designed to develop your knowledge of ethics, values and purposes, and the understanding required to work effectively with young people. You’ll also gain the essential skills expected of professional workers in this field, and be well prepared for further study, enquiry and reflection on your practice.
Planning your studies
In order to complete this qualification, you should have already studied Introduction to working with young people (E131) or the fast track Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) module – (EZL131). These modules are now discontinued
Please note that there are also strict time limits if you are planning to continue your studies towards one or more of the following qualifications:
If you would like further information or advice please contact the Working with Young People Team on (01908) 654218, or email.
Entry requirements – The certificate includes a specialist vocational component which is underpinned by broad-based academic learning.
For the work-based module – Introduction to working with young people in practice (E118) – you will need to have suitable employment (paid or unpaid) for a minimum of five hours a week in an appropriate setting and confirmation of this will need to be provided as part of the registration procedures for this module.
A suitable level of prior experience for the certificate might be six months of one session (two/three hours) per week, or the equivalent during the last three years. You will find all the modules and the assignments much easier and more fulfilling if you continue in employment (paid or unpaid) in the sector throughout your study.
To study this certificate you must also:
- be living in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, the Republic of Ireland or have a British Forces Post Office (BFPO) address outside the UK
- obtain the necessary clearance from the Criminal Records Bureau (England and Wales), or have passed a Disclosure Scotland check or Access NI or Garda (ROI) check – i.e. an appropriate check relevant to the country in which you are working – it is your responsibility and that of your employer to ensure that you meet these requirements, rather than the OU
- be able to attend the compulsory day school that is part of Introduction to working with young people in practice (E118).
You should note that the University’s unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 30 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.
Career relevance and employability
This Certificate is recognised on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) at Level 4 and it is recognised as a Youth Support Worker qualification by the National Youth Agency (NYA). It is also recognised as a pre-professional qualification in Scotland by the Standards Council for Community Learning and Development (CLD).
Although completion of this certificate will not give you access to graduate level jobs, it may help you decide whether you like this particular area of work and study. It may also help you to gain a job below graduate level and acquire the necessary experience to progress to further professional training.
Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.
Modules
For this certificate you require:
90 credits from the following compulsory modules:
| Level 1 compulsory modules |
Credits |
Next start |
| The discontinued module E131 (or the supported APEL version EZL131) |
30 |
|
- Introduction to working with young people in practice (E118)
|
60 |
|
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
- Knowledge and understanding
- Cognitive skills
- Practical and professional skills
- Key skills
Read more detailed information about the learning outcomes, and how they are acquired through teaching, learning and assessment methods.
Credit for previous study elsewhere
For this qualification, we do not allow you to count credit for study you have already done elsewhere.
On completion
On successful completion of the required modules you will be awarded a Certificate in Working with Young People.
Regulations
As a student of The Open University, you should be aware of the content of the qualification-specific regulations below and the academic regulations that are available on our Student Policies and Regulations website.
How to register
If you want to study for this qualification, read the description and check you meet any specific requirements (for example, some of
our qualifications, require you to be working in a particular environment, or be sponsored by your employer). Then select the
module you wish to study first and ensure it is suitable for you before following the registration procedure for that module.
During the registration procedure you will be asked to declare which qualification you are studying towards.
See a full list of modules available for this qualification