BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work (Professionally Endorsed) (Youth Worker Integrated Degree Apprenticeship)
Program Overview
The University of Bolton's BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work (Youth Worker Degree Apprenticeship) is a professionally endorsed program that equips apprentices with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors necessary to facilitate the personal, social, and educational development of young people. Through a combination of academic study and work-based learning, apprentices develop the expertise to enable young people to develop their voice, influence, and place in society. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible for qualified youth worker status and can pursue careers in various youth services and community-based organizations.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The University of Bolton's professionally endorsed BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work (Youth Worker Degree Apprenticeship) is designed to support the development of confident, highly competent, compassionate and professional youth workers. It's recognised by the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) and offers dual professional endorsement from the National Youth Agency (NYA) and Endorsement and Quality Standards Board for Community Development Learning (ESB). This apprenticeship program aims to equip apprentices with the knowledge, skills, and behaviors needed to facilitate young people's personal, social, and educational development. It integrates academic study and work-based learning into the normal working week, allowing apprentices to practice their new skills and apply their understanding to their work with young people. The program focuses on the core values of youth work, ensuring apprentices understand the purpose of enabling young people to develop holistically. It covers youth work theory, models and approaches, provision and interventions, legislation and policy, and how these underpin professional decision-making. The program emphasizes experiential learning, enabling apprentices to reflect on their practice, ethics, and values while exploring contemporary issues impacting young people. By combining academic study at university with work-based learning, apprentices quickly have the opportunity to apply skills, knowledge, and behaviors in the workplace, developing excellent practice competencies. Upon successful completion, apprentices will be able to confidently use a rights-based approach to develop person-centered relationships with young people. They will be able to use informal education approaches to facilitate the development of young people and have the skills to promote the interest of young people and advocate on their behalf. Overall, as graduates, they will have the professional expertise to help young people develop their voice, influence, and place in society and reach their individual and collective potential.
Outline:
The program is fully mapped to the Level 6 Youth Worker degree apprenticeship standard (ST0522). The University works with employers to devise individual learning agreements for each apprentice, ensuring they fulfill the apprenticeship criteria and develop additional skills, knowledge, and behaviors valuable to their organization.
Modules:
The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional.
- Youth Work, Policy and Practice
- People, Power and Social Change
- Group Work and Informal Education
- Ethics, Values and Reflective Practice
- Work-Based Project 1
- Portfolio of Evidence 1
- Community Development, Policy and Practice
- Diversity, Identity and Social Justice
- Enabling Healthy Communities
- Contemporary Issues in Youth Work
- Work-Based Project 2
- Portfolio of Evidence 2
- Global Youth Work and Sustainable Communities
- Community Living: Housing and Homelessness
- Management, Governance and Organisational Development
- Work-Based Project 3
- Portfolio of Evidence 3
- End Point Assessment
Assessment:
Level
|
- ------ | -------- Level one | Coursework 64%, Practical exams 36% Level two | Coursework 78%, Practical exams 22% Level three | Coursework 68%, Practical exams 32%
Teaching:
The University of Bolton's BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work (Youth Worker Degree Apprenticeship) offers a flexible and adaptable approach to developing skills, knowledge, and behaviors required for a career working with young people.
Teaching and Learning Methods:
- Online delivery and engagement where appropriate
- Lectures
- Seminars and group-based activities
- Tutorials
- Case studies and practical scenarios
- Guided independent study
- Guest speakers from the community development and youth work field
Assessment Methods:
- Written reports
- Presentations
- Portfolio development
- Essays and reflective accounts
- Active participation in group discussions
- Practical skills assessments
Faculty:
The highly experienced program team includes youth and community practitioners, managers, and academics who offer both academic and practice-based learning to support the professional development of apprentices.
Unique Approaches:
- The program and curriculum have been designed in consultation with youth and community employers, practitioners, academics, and students to ensure its fitness for practice.
- Course materials are available online, allowing apprentices to prepare work in advance and make the most of the highly interactive in-class tuition.
- The approach to teaching and learning is student-centered, with tailored help and support provided throughout studies and work-based learning.
- The relationship between teaching and practice provides the essential learning apprentices need to develop as knowledgeable and skilled practitioners able to perform professionally and ethically in their work with young people and communities.
- Quarterly and annual reviews, where each apprentice, their workplace mentor, and a member of the team meet to assess the apprentice's progress, promote continuing conversation between the workplace and the University.
Careers:
The BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work (Youth Worker Degree Apprenticeship) is designed to meet the integrated degree apprenticeship standard for Youth Workers (ST0522). Graduates of this apprenticeship will be eligible for qualified youth worker status.
Potential Career Paths:
- Statutory, voluntary, charity, and faith youth services
- Youth and community centers
- Community-based groups
- Outdoor activity centers
- Targeted intervention and family support
- Schools, colleges, alternative educational settings
- Youth training schemes
- Hospitals and other health environments
- Youth offending teams
- Youth justice projects
- Housing associations
- Supported accommodation
- Residential settings
Other:
- The program is professionally endorsed by the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) for Youth Work (as validated by the National Youth Agency (NYA) Education and Training Standards Committee).
- The Endorsement and Quality Standards Board for Community Development Learning (ESB) also professionally recognizes the program.
- Successful achievement of the BA (Hons) Community Development and Youth Work (Professionally Endorsed) (Youth Worker Integrated Degree Apprenticeship) confers professionally qualified status for youth workers in England.
- Employers can expect graduate apprentices to possess a wide range of transferable skills, such as presentation, oral and written communication, the ability to problem solve and work independently and deal with complex and challenging situations, advocacy and empathy, resilience, teamwork, and the ability to understand and work with people from all backgrounds.
- Graduates may also progress to postgraduate-level study in subjects such as community justice, social policy, and counseling.
- Studying for a PhD or professional doctorate is another option, or they could pursue a career in teaching by undertaking the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE).
University of Bolton: A Summary
Overview:
The University of Bolton is a public university located in Bolton, Greater Manchester, England. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various subject areas. The university prides itself on providing a supportive learning environment for its students.
Services Offered:
The university offers a comprehensive range of services to its students, including:
Student Support:
Provides assistance with academic, personal, and financial matters.Accommodation:
Offers on-campus and off-campus housing options.Sport & Wellness:
Provides access to sports facilities and wellness programs.Careers & Employability:
Offers guidance and support for career development and job searching.Fees & Funding:
Provides information on tuition fees and financial aid options.International Student Support:
Offers specific services and resources for international students.Student Life and Campus Experience:
The university emphasizes a supportive and inclusive campus environment. Students can expect:
Supportive Tutors:
Faculty members are known for their dedication to student success and individual attention.Active Student Union:
The Bolton Students' Union provides a platform for student activities, social events, and representation.Vibrant Campus Life:
The university offers a range of clubs, societies, and events to enhance the student experience.Access to Facilities:
Students have access to modern facilities, including libraries, labs, and sports centers.Key Reasons to Study There:
Supportive Learning Environment:
The university fosters a welcoming and supportive atmosphere for students.Focus on Employability:
The university emphasizes career development and prepares students for the workforce.Diverse Range of Programs:
Offers a wide selection of undergraduate and postgraduate courses across various disciplines.Affordable Tuition:
Provides competitive tuition fees and financial aid options.Academic Programs:
The university offers a wide range of academic programs, including:
Accountancy & Business
Apprenticeships
Biomedical Sciences & Medical Biology
Creative & Digital Arts, English & Creative Writing
Computer Science
Dance, Musical Theatre & Performance
Dental Sciences
Education, Early Years and Teacher Training
Engineering, Motorsport and Construction
Film FX, Film & TV Production
Games
Health and Social Work & Community and Youth
Law & Crime and Criminal Justice
Medical & Paramedic Sciences
Nursing & Midwifery
Psychology
Physiotherapy & Sport Rehabilitation
Pre-University Study
Other:
The university also offers:
Research Programs:
Opportunities for students to engage in research activities.Summer School:
A program for students to gain academic credit during the summer.Open Days:
Events for prospective students to visit the campus and learn more about the university.International Student Support:
Dedicated resources and services for international students.Alumni Network:
A network of former students who can provide support and guidance.Business Gateway:
A service that provides support to businesses in the local area.Sustainability Initiatives:
The university is committed to environmental sustainability.Entry Requirements:
- UCAS points: 96 UCAS points. The university accepts a range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs, and T levels.
- GCSEs: Five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent), including English and Mathematics.
- English and Mathematics: If an applicant has yet to achieve appropriate Level 2 English and Mathematics qualifications, then with their employer's support, they can complete suitable equivalents locally or with assistance from the University before commencing the apprenticeship.
- Non-traditional entry qualifications: The university is happy to consider applicants with non-traditional entry qualifications provided they can demonstrate relevant experience or a suitable portfolio of work that is deemed a reasonable substitute for the qualifications they typically accept.
- Joint discussion: Applicants will attend a joint discussion with their employer and the University of Bolton. This combined interview and onboarding discussion fosters trust and sets the tone of the relationship between the applicant, their employer, and the university tutors.
- DBS check: Applicants must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting their studies.
- ESFA eligibility criteria: Admission to this program is only available to applicants who meet ESFA eligibility criteria, including:
- They are employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a role relevant to the apprenticeship.
- They have the right to live and work in the UK.
- Their employer is willing to sponsor them to spend a minimum of six hours per week of their time in off-the-job training, including attending the University (times and dates to be determined) for the duration of their course.
- An apprentice cannot be self-employed.
- English language proficiency: If English isn't the applicant's first language, they will also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). The university also accepts a range of other English language qualifications.
- Tuition fee funding: To be eligible for tuition fee funding through the Apprenticeship Levy, applicants should not have already completed a qualification at the same level as the proposed apprenticeship (Degree Level 6) unless that qualification was gained in a completely unrelated discipline.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- IELTS: IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent) is required for applicants whose first language is not English.
- Other English language qualifications: The university accepts a range of other English language qualifications.