Course Objectives

Objectives, Major course unit 2
Students will gain skills that will enable them with the necessary guidance to plan and implement practical and methodical efforts involving vulnerable children and young people. They will be able to justify their professional choices based on relevant theory, current research and in the context of the professionals and users involved.

Major course unit 2, Methodical Child Welfare Work, will help the students to:

• gain further understanding of the public services and gain insight from the period of practical training in the work which focuses on reducing the social problems of children and adolescents in cooperation with other professional groups and the users/clients.
• be able to plan, execute and evaluate initiatives for improving the circumstances under which children and adolescents grow up, in cooperation with the parties involved.
• be able to carry out professional tasks in the daily environments of children and adolescents, including various institutions where children and adolescents stay.
• be able to work with relationships characterised by conflicting interests and influences and mediate conflicts in accord with the needs of children and adolescents.
• be able to meet children and adolescents and their families with respect and empathy, and view mutual consideration and equality as necessary to the practice of their professions.
• be able to work with people with differing interpretations of reality and be able to practice their profession in multicultural contexts.
• understand and have knowledge of the relationship between society’s structures and processes and social and psychosocial problems among children, adolescents and their families.
• acquire basic knowledge of and ability in assessing care skills.
• acquire basic knowledge and understanding of initiative measures in the child welfare services.

Course Description

COURSE UNIT 6: METHODICAL CHILD WELFARE WORK AND PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE STUDIES

30 ECTS

The aim of course-unit 6 is that the students will:

• reflect on ethical problem approaches, develop ethical plans of action and be able to identify value conflicts.
• gain experience in practical-methodical work and improve their ability to integrate practical experience, theoretical knowledge and reflection while practicing their profession.
• develop insight and experience related to future professional roles.
• demonstrate an integrated view of the individual and his/her integrity and rights.
• acquire an understanding of cultural and ethnic backgrounds in child welfare.
• develop relational skills in the practical exercise of methodical child welfare.

The course unit addresses the question of practical training in different environments, practical training preparation and reflection on knowledge, attitudes and experiences gained from practical training.

Teaching and learning methods: Lectures, group work, role-playing, reflection work, exercises in communication and cooperation and practical training. The training programme includes preparation for the practice period and a concluding seminar to review the practice period.

Assessment methods: The practice studies are evaluated on a pass/fail basis.

Course unit 6 includes three assessment assignments and two documentation assignments:

Course unit code: 070-072 6-1

Assessment assignment 6-1: Information brochure

An individual response with content related to the production of an information brochure related to the practical training location. 1000 words. Evaluated on a pass/fail basis (5 ECTS).

Course unit code: 070-072 6-2

Assessment assignment 6-2: Approval of practical training

This assignment requires the students to define the basis on which their professional training periods should be judged acceptable. Individual responses. 4000 words. Pass/fail (15 ECTS).

Course unit code: 070-072 DO1

Documentation assignment: The individual student must document a minimum of 75% participation in the seminars prior to and following the practice period.

Course unit code: 070-072 6-3

Assessment assignment 6-3: Ethical dilemmas

The students shall present a written analysis of an ethical dilemma based on the practice studies. The essay should be based on ethical dilemmas encountered during the practice period and will form a basis for group work followed by individual responses. 3000 words (10 ECTS). Pass/fail.

Course unit code: 070-072 DO2

Documentation assignment: The students will present a written ethical problem describing a situation during their period of practical training. This will form the basis for assessment assignment 6-3.

Course code: 070-07P1 METHODICAL CHILD CARE WORK AND PRACTICAL TRAINING STUDIES

The objective of practical studies is that the students will gain experience with methodical childcare work, be challenged to demonstrate professional, personal and ethical reflection and to evaluate their personal knowledge, attitudes and skills. The practical training will help students to develop many professional skills which they will need in their future careers. In terms of workload, the practical studies corresponds to 16 ECTS of course unit 6.

COURSE UNIT 7: ASSESSMENT OF CHILD CARE SKILLS

15 ECTS

The aim of course unit 7 is that the students:

• acquire a basic understanding of various causes which may lead to unsatisfactory care situations for children and adolescents.
• develop an understanding of and acquire the ability to evaluate children and youth’s life situation, their need of care, and parents, and/or other responsible persons, care skills.
• acquire knowledge concerning the social, psychological and health-related consequences of living in situations characterised by loss of care.
• understand the importance of relational ties between care persons and children, and the break down of these ties.
• acquire knowledge and understanding of how initiatives may be taken with regard to the most relevant laws and regulations.
• be able to work with relationships characterised by conflicting interests and influences and mediate conflicts in accord with the needs of children and adolescents.
• acquire knowledge and understanding of how individual, cultural, individual and social factors lead to a marginalised life and social problems.

The content of the course unit is associated with theories and research relating to childcare, care skills and failure of care. In addition, the course unit includes knowledge regarding legal and framework conditions for methodical child welfare work related to care skills.

Teaching and learning methods: Self study, lectures, video recording of skills’ exercises, fieldwork and group work.

Assessment methods: The course unit includes one assessment assignment and two documentation assignments.

Course unit code: 070-072 7-1

Assessment assignment 7-1: Assessment of care skills

The content of this assignment should focus on an assessment of care skills.

Group assignment. 4000 words. A letter grade which comprises 50 % of the course grade for major course unit II (15 ECTS).

Course unit code: 070-072 DO3

Documentation assignment: The student must document 75% attendance of the group work which results in the assessment assignment 7-1.

Course unit code: 070-072 DO4

Documentation assignment: A video recording of skills’ exercises from two different situations in communication. Length: maximum 2 x 3 minutes. Group assignment. In addition, a brief individual reflection note which describes and justifies the choice of the skills’ exercises must be submitted.

COURSE UNIT 8: INITIATIVES IN THE CHILD WELFARE SERVICES

15 ECTS

The aim of course unit 8 is that the students:

• will learn how to use a ‘coping perspective’ and client involvement in initiatives in the best interests of children, youth and their families.
• understand the relation between a client’s situation and choice of methodical approaches used in initiatives.
• understand the decision-making process at both the municipal and national levels in childcare cases, as a basis for the selection and implementation of measures.
• develop their understanding and use of social educational methods, and use of activities in initiatives.
• be able to use the many possibilities open to child care initiatives in relation to marginalised children, adolescents and their families, and show how child welfare workers may collaborate with other professions in order to view clients from a broad perspective.
• have an overview of establishment, follow-up and evaluation of central initiatives in the support apparatus and be able to use it in the work which contributes to a reduction of children and youth’s social problems.
• acquire increased understanding of communication, interaction and conflict management and the importance of this in the meeting with the relevant user groups.

The content of the course unit includes theories and research relating to the life situations of vulnerable children and youth, how marginalisation and deviation is constructed, and in-depth knowledge of various methodical approaches related to the individual, families/groups and society. Social educational approaches and the use of activities and cultural initiatives in conjunction with challenges relating to students’ functional and interactive skills will be of fundamental importance. The process of initiatives in the child welfare services at local and national levels will also be importance.

Teaching and learning methods: Self study, lectures, use of activities and cultural initiatives, use of groups, practical training skills, communication exercises using video-recordings.

Assessment methods: The course unit includes one assessment assignment and one documentation assignments:

Course unit code: 070-072 8-1

Assessment assignment 8-1: Methodical work with vulnerable children and youth and oral examination.

The response should contain a professionally grounded initiative built on knowledge and understanding of the relationship between users’ situation and the choice of methodical approach. Individual answers (3000 words). Letter grade which counts for 50% of the grade for major course unit II (15 ECTS).

An individual oral examination in basic knowledge from major course unit II and the students’ understanding of their own subject. Assessment portfolio 8.1 must have received a passing grade before the student may take the oral examination. The final grade is assigned after the oral examination. The oral examination is primarily intended as an adjustment to the grade from the assessment portfolio, but it is also possible to assign the candidate a failing grade if the oral examination so indicates.

Course unit code: 070-072 DO5

Documentation assignment: Video recordings of skills’ exercises from two different situations in communication. Length of maximum 2 x 3 minutes. Group response. In addition, a brief, individual reflection note which describes and justifies the choice of the skills’ exercises.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean