Curriculum Information

Document Version

QAA Benchmarks

Educational Aim

Learning Outcomes

Course Structure

Level 4 Modules

Level 5 Modules

Teaching and Assessment

Learning and Teaching Methods

Employer Engagement

Visiting Speakers

The course will be completely designed around producing practitioners who possess of the knowledge and practical skills required for employment within the field of working with children and young people. As well as the work based learning element discussed below, students will be given opportunities to listen to visiting speakers in taught sessions. This will facilitate their understanding of the workplace as well as focussing on particular pertinent issues which affect children and young people. An example of this would be the inclusion of talks from different agencies such as Flying Start, social services, CAMH.

Work Placements

Work-based learning will be a critical aspect of the course. A key element of working with children and young people is the practical and critical development of skills and knowledge and this occurs through work based learning opportunities. This will be the key element of the provision, allowing for effective application of theory, and the development of the skills required to become a confident, competent practitioner. Most of the students that this course attracts are employed in a suitable setting. If this is not the case, students are expected to volunteer at a suitable setting.

Students will attend the setting every week (minimum of 12 hours).

Students will be required to produce a portfolio of evidence which will be an assessed feature of the Reflective Practice modules.

Work based learning will be the student’s responsibility. The monitoring of students will be coordinated by the Course Leader and they will visit them once per year. Students are responsible for ensuring that the appropriate documentation is given to the setting and the student is also required to create a practice file and maintain a register of attendance. The student will receive at least one visit per year where he or she will be observed by an academic member of staff. A discussion will also take place between the lead adult in the setting and the course representative, finally a report of the visit will be constructed and feedback will be given to the student. The duration of the observation and the required task varies according to the assessment requirement. The Course leader is an important link between the setting and the College. The course team have excellent links with work based learning settings in south east Wales and the FD continues to work with existing partnerships as well as forging new relationships with employers.

Means of Assessment

Portfolio

Report

Presentation

Literature Review

Essay

Reflective Practice Logs

Academic Test

Learning Support

Induction

All students are offered personal tutorials. At induction all students are signposted to both USW SAS and college advice services.

Personal tutor

Personal and group tutorials will take place over the duration of the course. The focus of these sessions is on helping learners succeed, and on providing advice and support for development and improvement.

The aim of personal tutorials is to monitor and enhance students’ academic progress; this may include issues of attendance, library and VLE use, success on assessment and, critically, an oversight of feedback across a programme of study. Tutorials on study skills, and academic progress/grade reviews are incorporated either in groups or through individual meetings.

If difficulties are detected then students are signposted to the college’s student advice and disability and dyslexia services.

Office hours

All academic staff make students aware of their availability throughout the academic year in line with their timetables.

Tutorials

Students undertaking taught modules within the subject area receive academic support from the module leader who liaises with individual staff on the module to ensure consistency of delivery and assessment. This is overseen by the Course Leader.

Seminars

Seminars are integrated into the teaching schedule for each module.

Formative Assessment

Formative assessments are integrated into the teaching schedule for each module.

Progress meetings

See personal tutorial sessions above

Research Supervision

The Module Leader will provide bespoke guidance and 1:1 tutorials.

Online Resources

Students have access to the following resources online including the induction programme, learning and assessment schedules, key USW and college procedures and regulations. This documentation is made available to students via the Student Handbook and on Blackboard.

Students also have access to an online database defining all modules, course and module handbooks.

Learning materials for all modules are available through Blackboard.

Advice Centres

The USW and college Advice centre team is available throughout the year to offer students general advice and guidance related to study within the Faculty. The advice centre offer confidential and impartial guidance and advice. The Advice centre also helps students identify more specific sources of help and information should it be needed and as such the centre staff liaises closely with other broader support services;

Student counselling;· Disability Service – advice and support for students with disabilities;

Student Money Service – advice on aspects of finance.

Students can also access bespoke services at their own college institution.

DDS Service

The Disability and Dyslexia Service (DDS) at individual colleges provides a confidential and professional service where students with disabilities can discuss their individual requirements and coordinate their support needs. The Disability and Dyslexia Service should work in partnership with academic staff to embrace the potential of achieving an inclusive environment and thus reduce the barriers experienced by disabled students.

The types of support available may include:

· Advice and support in one-to-one, confidential meetings on a range of subjects; · Information on Disabled Students Allowances and how to apply for this funding; · Support in the process of completing Financial Contingency Funding applications to cover the cost of a diagnostic assessment and other support; · Information on the one-to-one study skills tutorials available; · Liaison with support departments, faculties and other services on behalf of students; · Liaison over in-class assessment and/or other support; · Provision of Individual Support Plans (ISP) – identifying the support required and how it can be accessed.

IT/Library

The USW Library is a part of Learning Services encompassing Careers and Employability Services and Student Development and Study Skills. Learning Services provide a wide range of facilities for students including the campus Learning Resource Centres at USW. They offer a wide range of information resources in print and online, as well as access to photocopying and IT facilities. Online resources are available through the Library website http://studentlibrary.southwales.ac.uk/.

The Librarian for the subject area continues to have responsibility for liaising with academic staff to ensure that the Library supports the teaching, learning and research for the subject area.

The Library provides:

· Opening hours adjusted in response to student feedback:” early bird” 8am opening and 24-hour access in designated areas· Self-service has been introduced in response to student feedback · Number of loans increased to 15 items in response to student feedback· Virtual chat “Ask a Librarian” service· Online journals: access to over 32,000· Online databases: access to over 250· E-books: purchased in addition to hard copies whenever available· New Library Catalogue, including book images, QR codes and Google books preview· Revamped and simplified Library web pages via Library Channel· New FINDit portal, including managed links to full text journals and personalisation· Online reading lists: now available for most modules· A Library Induction is offered to all students at the beginning of their course· 1:1 Information Literacy consultations undertaken by request (automated online booking)· Study Skills support and workshop programme maintained, including referencing support· Bookstock continues to be regularly updated· Subscriptions continue to be reviewed annually· Guide to e-Books

IT Services

At the University, ICT facilities are provided in a number of locations across the five campuses with onsite support staff, to support students’ needs better. There are currently over 3,000 PCs and Macs available in purpose-built computer laboratories (‘labs’) or via loan services.

The University provides campus-wide internet and wireless network services free to students offering a flexible way to access online resources across the University campuses.

Across the University, we are working towards achieving a Cashless Campus, so that you can pay for selected services online or in advance. To access the online payment area, go to the Self-service Account Administration (SSAA) website.

Course Exit Points

Progression Route

CourseBA (Hons) Education, Learning and DevelopmentLocationBridgend College, Coleg y Cymoedd (Ystrad Mynach), CAVC (Barry).

Entry Requirements

Admission to the course is typically through the following qualifications:

For undergraduate courses the entry requirements can be found via a search on the UCAS website https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/choosing-course

For postgraduate courses the entry requirements can be found via a search on the University’s website http://courses.southwales.ac.uk/

For international students information can be found on the University’s website http://international.southwales.ac.uk/apply/international/ucas-direct/

Applicants are required to be working in either a full time, part time or voluntary capacity within a relevant setting for a minimum of 12 hours per week.

Will students be required to undergo a DBS check?Yes

Inclusive Curriculum Statement

The University of South Wales operates a policy of inclusive learning, teaching and assessment to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational potential. Course teams will have considered ways of designing out any potentially disadvantageous element of courses during the course design process. However some specific needs may remain, details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be found at: http://unilife.southwales.ac.uk/pages/3040-disability-and-dyslexia-service/

Addendum for Delivery at a Partner Institution

N/A