Why this course?

Developed in partnership with the

You'll develop a theoretically informed, practice-based understanding of issues related to the social, political and cultural contexts of children and youth.

The programme considers and examines theoretical and policy contexts, child development in the lifespace, critical reflection, relational practice, management and leadership, intervention methods and research methods.

The role of the state, non-governmental agencies and private organisations in the provision of child welfare services will be examined along with the internationalisation of child welfare policy through developments such as the UNCRC. A range of approaches and traditions of childcare practice will be considered, including child and youth care, social pedagogy, residential childcare and social work.

How's the course delivered?

The programme is delivered entirely online with no physical attendance requirement. Classes involve a range of individual tasks – directed reading, podcasts, forum boards – in addition to one live online session per week where the student group participate in an online seminar.

What you'll study

You'll complete six taught modules, followed by a practice-based dissertation.

There are specific learning outcomes for each module. On successful completion of the programme, you'll be able to:

critically analyse a body of knowledge and literature on child and youth care and other related disciplines, incorporating a variety of international perspectives

demonstrate a critical awareness of diverse international and ideological perspectives to childcare and models of service delivery and to critique these accordingly

demonstrate a critical awareness of both the positive contributions and limitations of these international and ideological perspectives whilst still demonstrating an understanding of the distinctive elements of child and youth care practice

begin to develop strategies for affirming and seeking to develop the professional identity of child and youth care

locate childcare and development with an ecological framework which takes into account individual, systemic and cultural influences

consider the ‘lifespace’ (the living environment as experienced by children and youth) as an arena for therapeutic intervention

demonstrate research mindedness and critical thinking as well as an ability to critique literature, research and social policy developments

draw upon practice knowledge in a critical and theoretically informed manner in order to generate academic knowledge