Handbook : Unit set informationEdith Cowan University

Unit Set Information

Professional Youth Work Major

Effective from 01-JAN-2019 : Code MAAAJE

This unit set provides an opportunity for students to combine a youth work major with complementary areas of study such as Aboriginal and Intercultural Studies, Addiction Studies, Health Promotion, Community Work, Criminology, Psychology, Counselling, Visual Arts, Media and Communications, and Event Management. Students can broaden their study to gain a qualification that is in high demand by employers. A key feature of the course is practicum that offers students opportunities to gain real world experience working with young people in supportive environments. Students graduate with valuable employability skills and enhanced job prospects.

Disclaimer

This unit set 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. In particular please check the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

This Major can be studied in the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
• Bachelor of Counselling
• Bachelor of Criminology and Justice

Special Admission Requirements

All applicants are required to obtain a Working with Children Check card (or equivalent if resident outside Western Australia, for example, a National Police Clearance) prior to commencement of practicum. If a student is denied this card they will not be able to complete the practicum and will not be able to complete this unit set, with equivalents considered.

Mode of Delivery

On Campus at Joondalup
Online

Practicum Requirement

Students are required to undertake a practical placement in at least two different youth work agencies. This placement is assessed by portfolio against the requirement of the Western Australian Association of Youth Workers.

Duty of care

Risk Management Assessment is negotiated with the agencies and ECU under agreement arrangements. Western Australian applicants are required to have a Working With Children Check. Applicants from other Australian states and territories must be able to meet the criminal checks relevant to their jurisdiction. International students must meet Western Australian requirements, in addition to the requirements of their home country.

Attendance requirements

Students must attend placement agencies as agreed with the practicum coordinator. Students are required to complete 400 hours over two semesters, negotiated between the student, the practicum coordinator and the agency.

Enrolment process

Students must enrol in YWK2113, having completed the necessary prerequisite units. In exceptional circumstances, students who commence the course mid-year may commence the practicum unit in their second semester of study, with the permission of the Course Coordinator.

Professional practice rules

Students must meet the requirements specified by the Western Australian Association of Youth Workers, which includes adherence to their code of professional ethics.

Implications of failing

Students who fail the practicum will fail the unit YWK2113. There is an option to re-enrol, subject to normal ECU rules about repeating units. Students should be aware that they have to pass the practicum unit to complete the unit set.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyse and evaluate the contribution of youth work to society, communities and young people demonstrating cross cultural responsiveness.
2. Apply and evaluate sustainability principles in program design and development and problem solving in the context of youth work professional practice.
3. Apply understanding of sociocultural and international diversity and other values that are the underpinning of youth work as a discipline/
4. Demonstrate English literacy appropriate to professional youth work communication, including all relevant forms of oral and written communication, both formal and informal.
5. Demonstrate ability to collaborate professionally with others through team work in academic and professional environments.
6. Demonstrate broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of youth work theory, methods, principles and values with multi-disciplinary research.
7. Demonstrate knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to make decisions based upon their full environmental, social, cultural and economic implications relating to Youth Work.
8. Demonstrate numeracy proficiency appropriate to professional youth work including numeracy sufficient to develop and read budgets for service provision and to interpret and produce reports that include qualitative and quantitative data.
9. Demonstrate use of technologies appropriate to youth work professional practice.
10. Identify how global context shapes similarities and differences in work with young people in other countries.
11. Plan, design, develop, implement and evaluate programs and services that meet young people's needs and the requirements of employers and of funding bodies.
12. Professionally and ethically communicate youth work knowledge amongst diverse audiences including young people, families, colleagues and the public.
13. Review, analyse and synthesise youth and community work knowledge by engaging in both critical thinking and reflective practice to resolve problems encountered in professional work as a novice graduate youth worker.

Related Careers

Youth Worker, Youth Support Worker, Youth Development Officer, Youth Activities Officer, Youth Welfare Worker, Youth and Family Mediation, Youth Health Educator, Youth Policy Officer, Youth Outreach Worker, Youth Engagement Worker, Youth Mental Health Worker, School Chaplain, Youth Mental Health Care Coordinator, Youth and Community Worker, Community Education Worker (Youth), Youth Officer, Youth Liaison Worker, School Retention and Participation Officer. Youth Accommodation Worker, Student Support Officer, Youth Counsellor

Employment Opportunities

Prepares graduates for a diverse range of positions in youth work. Depending on students' selection of complementary studies they may wish to pursue careers with a special focus on recreation, sport, adventure programs, youth arts, youth counselling, addiction services, youth mental health services, or youth justice. Entry level positions may be in youth welfare services including homeless support services, youth health, youth advice, advocacy and support programs. Graduates also find employment in youth holiday programs, youth activity centres, informal education with young people, school-based support programs, and chaplaincy. Employers of youth work graduates include, Local, State and Federal Government, National Charities and local community organisations.

Major Structure

Note YWK2113 is a year long unit

* Students will be assessed to see if they have achieved the ECU minimum standard of English language proficiency in this unit. Students who don't meet the minimum standard will be provided with appropriate English language support and development.

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