Curriculum Information

Youth workers are required to deliver a range of formal, informal and non-formal learning to young people in different settings and sectors, such as engaging young people in youth centres and club, alternative education, employment projects, as well as providing young people with information to support their decision making.

This module will allow students to explore educational models of learning, practical methodologies, theoretical foundations, and gain an understanding of pedagogical principles. Students will be able to apply these skills in contemporary youth work practice creatively in line with the Youth Work National Occupational Standards (CLDSC, 2019) and Community Development National Occupational Standards (CLDSC, 2015) when planning, preparing and facilitating learning activities with young people.

The module focus will be based on an appreciative enquiry approach in the belief that the educational process starts from recognition of strengths and potential of participants rather that from an appraisal of deficits. It is holistic and the educational practice aims to engage body, mind, heart and spirit.
The curriculum in this module is drawn from the real work and context of the group of participants and is developed in discussion with them. Learning is active and experiential.

Students develop their practical communication and facilitation skills with which they can facilitate expressivity and creativity in young people using an appreciative enquiry approach.
Students develop innovative and experimental ways to deliver an education experience for young people.

Content Summary

The Facilitative Relationship within informal education settings:
• Purpose and meaning of informal education settings
• The relationship between facilitator and learner in informal settings when working with young people

Group work Facilitation and Intervention:
• Conceptual understanding of group theories in relation to informal education and youth work delivery
• Participation in group activities and reflection on the interactions and roles played within the group

Intentional interventionist approaches to working with individuals, groups and communities:
• Appreciative Enquiry Approach
• The skills and knowledge required of the professional youth worker engaged with individuals and group work.
• The ability to choose an appropriate facilitative approach to a broad range of solutions and context
• Developing ways to encourage expressivity and creativity of young people by engaging body, mind, head and spirit
• Developing ways to engage young people digitally
• Dealing with conflict and knowing when and how to intervene
• Describe some of the ethical issues and domains implicit in our work with people in communities

Indicative Content:
• Communication Skills
• Facilitation Skills
• Group work, group roles and group stages
• Appreciative Inquiry Approach
• Information and Advice Giving
• Formal, Informal and non-formal learning
• Educational theories and pedagogical principles
• Cognitive, Affective and Psychomotor taxonomies
• Expressive and creative delivery
• Inclusive and equitable delivery
• Ice-breakers suited to blended delivery
• Application of digital media
• Planning and preparing creative group sessions with young people
• Facilitation and delivery of group sessions
• Evaluation

This module is working towards the Youth Work National Occupational Standards (CLDSC, 2019):
YW02, YW03, YW07, YW09, YW11, YW12, YW13, YW15, YW18, Signpost No. 26, YW19, YW20, Signpost Nos. 34, 35, 37 and 38.