Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Principles of Youth Work

• Unit Code

  YWK1101

• Year

  2017

• Enrolment Period

  2

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  Y

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

• Unit Coordinator

  Ms Orietta Marie SIMONS

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Description

This unit will introduce students to the core principles of youth work. Primary definitions of youth work as a professional practice will be explored, as well as the varying ways that core principles of youth work practice translate into programs in different ideological and practical settings. This will include models of youth work and some basic youth work skills. The unit will survey a number of methodologies used by youth workers, and explore how the relationship with the young person can be constructed differently in each.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Discuss different ways in which youth work has been conceptualised in Australia and elsewhere.
2. Demonstrate in assessments how models drawn from the literature apply to contemporary youth services in Australia and elsewhere.
3. Explain some of the methods youth workers use in their work (for example, informal education, informal counselling, outreach work, advocacy, conflict resolution, mentoring, case management) and discuss how and why youth workers might select particular methods in different settings.
4. Describe the nature of professional relationships between youth workers and young people and discuss the similarities and differences between youth work and other types of work with young people, (for example, teaching, social work, sports coaching, youth ministry).
5. Outline some ethical issues that can arise in youth work practice and discuss how a Youth Work Codes of Ethics can be used to promote ethical youth work practice.
6. Explain how youth work is funded and discuss the benefits and disadvantages of different funding models, (for example, competitive tendering, recurrent funding for service provision).
7. Describe the roles and functions of some of the key organisations in youth affairs, including peak bodies, professional associations, and state and federal government departments

Unit Content

1. Codes of professional ethics for youth workers.
2. Methodologies of youth work practice.
3. Familiarisation with core practice models, methods and values.
4. The changing context for youth work practice, including competitive tendering, corporatisation and entrepreneurial youth work practice.
5. An introduction to the youth affairs field, the diversity of agencies, philosophies and practices, and peak bodies and other networks.
6. Familiarisation with a variety of contexts of youth work.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, Guest speakers may participate.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Core Reading(s)

• Jeffs, T., & Smith, M. K. (2005). Informal education: Conversation, democracy and learning (3rd rev). Nottingham: Educational Heretics Press.
• Cooper, T., & White, R. (1994). Models of Youth Work Practice. Youth Studies Australia, 13(4), 30–35.

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