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

  Youth Work Professional Placement

• Unit Code

  YWK2113

• Year

  2016

• Enrolment Period

  2

• Version

  2

• Credit Points

  30

• Full Year Unit

  Y

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

Description

In this year-long unit, students are provided with the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts learned in their studies to their role as a professional youth worker in the field. Students will undertake supervised practice and be required to demonstrate that they can perform satisfactorily in all aspects of the role of a novice professional youth worker. Students will explore their professional development needs and prepare for their future careers through a process of individual needs assessment, flexible self-directed learning and reflective practice. The unit has a field based practicum component.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 units from YWK1101

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded YWK3113

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Integrate theoretical learning with practical application when working with young people.
2. Identify risks to health, safety and well-being in the youth field placement agency and take appropriate actions to maintain safety and reduce environmental impact.
3. Demonstrate the ability to appropriately select and apply a variety of youth work methods learnt through formal study or experientially during placements
4. Develop a professional e-portfolio that provides convincing evidence that satisfies the all requirements of a professional youth worker, as specified in the e-portfolio requirements.
5. Demonstrate competent use of technologies required in placement role and the technology required for production of a professional e-portfolio.
6. Demonstrate critical reflection and the willingness and ability to learn from experience during and after the supervised youth work placement
7. Demonstrate career development using systematic processes.
8. Take responsibility for own learning and engage in constructive dialogue with supervisors regarding personal development and evaluation in the placement context.
9. Demonstrate ability to maintain constructive and ethical relationships with young people and colleagues, and appropriate professional judgement including when to seek assistance from others.

Unit Content

1. Working with individual young people from a variety of social and cultural backgrounds using interpersonal and helping skills.
2. Reflection on personal strengths and weaknesses relevant to youth work professional practice.
3. Future learning and professional development needs and future career choices.
4. How to produce evidence of professional skills and build a career e-portfolio.
5. How to use placement evidence to address selection criteria for employment in youth work.
6. Risk management, health and safety awareness, audit and appropriate responses to promote health and safety in youth work environments.
7. How to apply skills and knowledge acquired in other units.
8. How to make use of professional supervision.
9. Skills in reflective practice.
10. How to build a professional e-portfolio.
11. A project with a group of young people relevant to their needs and to the purposes of the youth work placement agency.
12. How to exercise autonomous professional judgment, including how to anticipate, prevent and resolve difficult situations, sources of assistance and when to ask for help.
13. Self-management, including boundaries and appropriate relationships with colleagues and young people, team work and learning from practice.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Workshops, online materials, simulation exercises, workplace placement/s, field participation.

Assessment

GS4 GRADING SCHEMA 4 Used for undifferentiated pass/fail 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.

^ Mandatory to Pass

Text References

• ^ Cooper, T. (2013). Portfolio assessment: A guide for students (2nd ed.). Perth: Praxis Education.
• Bright, J., & Earl, J. (2008). Resumes that get shortlisted: Proven strategies to get the job you want (3rd ed.). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
• Batsleer, J. (2008). Informal learning in youth work. London: Sage Publications.
• Sapin, K. (2013). Essential skills in youth work practice (2nd ed.). London: Sage Publications.
• Batsleer, J., & Davies, B. (2010). What is youth work? Exeter: Learning Matters.

^ Mandatory reference