Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Bachelor of Arts with Honours Youth Work and Community Development (JNC), Level 6, 2023/24 - Course Handbook
Welcome to the Course
Welcome to our returning students to the BA (Hons) Youth Work and Community Development (JNC) degree. This handbook provides you with information that you will need on your course. You should find it helpful when you first start, when you are preparing for assessment and at any time that you need help or advice in connection with your studies here. You will also receive a module handbook for each module you study on your course.
The course team is looking forward to working with you this year and we hope that your time studying with us at Leeds Beckett University is both enjoyable and successful. On behalf of our University and the whole course team I would like to wish you well in your studies.
Alan Smith, Course Director
Welcome to your course in the School of Health. I am delighted to be able to welcome our new and returning students and apprentices into the 2023/24 academic year.
The year ahead will contain success, challenge, and personal growth for you, and the School's team of dedicated academics, learning officers and administrators are here to help you to achieve your potential.
Our School has a broad range of disciplines, including Biomedical Sciences, Health Promotion, Nursing and Healthcare, Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychological Therapies and Mental Health, Safety and Environmental Health, Social and Community Studies and Sports and Exercise Therapy teams. Our academic teams work collaboratively - drawing on each other's expertise to support learning, undertake professional practice and consultancy, and delivery internationally recognised, societally impactful research.
Throughout the year ahead please do take time to let us know what you are enjoying and what you find valuable - but also please let us know if there are things we could do differently to improve your experience through feedback to your Course Director, at the School Forum or through the module evaluation and surveys.
I wish you every success for this academic year!
Dr Duncan Sharp, Dean of School
Leeds Beckett Students' Union (LBSU) is led by students for students! Their mission is to make your uni life better! Your Student Officer Team is elected by you to lead the Students' Union into the academic year. They represent all Leeds Beckett students and campaign for the changes you want to see in the university and beyond. They do this by representing your interests, giving you the chance to socialise and meet new people, hosting CV-boosting opportunities, and providing advice and support when you need it most. Shape your own experience by submitting your thoughts through your Course Rep, or if you'd like to influence the Students' Union's policy stance on particular issues or share ideas for improving the student experience across the University, submit your ideas on the Have Your Say platform, which is designed to make change happen! Below you'll find information on a few of their services but if you've any questions, please feel free to get in touch.
Silas Ozoya, your Academic Experience Officer, also wanted to say a few words to introduce himself: "Hey There! I'm Silas, your Academic Experience Officer. It's my job to ensure your academic experience at Leeds Beckett is the best it can be! We're a friendly and open-minded bunch at LBSU, so don't hesitate to get in touch with us! I'm looking forward to meeting you very soon!"
Contact LBSU at:
Email: lbsu-welcome@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Phone: 0113 812 8400
Website: www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk
- Following the lifting of all pandemic restrictions and advice from the Department for Education, we currently anticipate that no social distancing measures will be in place on campus during the 2023/24 academic year, enabling a normal on-campus experience. Our aim is to ensure that our students experience Leeds Beckett University, our courses, campuses, facilities and services to the fullest extent possible, while maintaining an environment where students and staff feel safe.
- In all cases, the health and safety of students and staff is our priority and we will continue to follow guidance from the UK Health Security Agency, the Department for Education and all other recognised government agencies (such as the Office for Students) in full and keep matters under close review at all times. The advice and restrictions may change before and/or during the academic year, either nationally or in response to local conditions and rates of infection and include the need for social distancing measures and other restrictions. Our flexible delivery model allows us to revert to a blended and/or remote delivery model if this becomes necessary. In a worst case scenario it is possible our campuses may need to close.
- In the event that delivery is restricted as a consequence of pandemic restrictions, we will keep you informed of planned changes as they arise, to ensure you are provided with accurate information.
Key Contacts & Keeping in Touch
Level 5 students: your Academic Adviser is Alan Smith.
Level 6 students: you will be advised who your Academic Advisor is at the start of the year.
Urszula Scibior, urszula.scibior@leedsbeckett.ac.uk, 0113 812 7603, Portland Building room 513
Your Course Representative details will be provided in class or via MyBeckett.
The Academic Librarians for this course can be contacted at: sohlibrary@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Or complete their online Get Help form for help with academic and research skills.
Module Leaders
Dr Erika Laredo, 0113 812 3981, e.laredo@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Caroline Mountain, 0113 812 3279, c.mountain@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Petra Salisbury, 0113 812 4633, petra.salisbury@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Max Bell, 0113 812 9855, maxine.bell@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Emma Booth, 0113 812 6248, e.r.booth@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Freedom to Speak up Guardian
See details here: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/health-practice-learning-hub/freedom-to-speak-up/
The contact details of other key services, such as Student Advice, Disability Advice, Student Wellbeing, the Library, Student Money, Careers, Students' Union Advice Service and Students' Union Student Voice Team can be found on the Students web page.
Academic and administrative staff at our University use your student email address to contact you. It is important that you check this account regularly. You can forward emails from your student email address to a preferred personal email address, however, quarantine and spam filters needed by our University mean that emails sent from external email addresses may be delayed, blocked or deleted. It is therefore important that your student email address is the only email address that you use to contact University staff. Information on how to access your student email address can be found on the Library Student IT Support page http://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/it_support/office365/outlook
Please make sure that you inform your Course Administrator team whenever you change your address and contact details. It is important that you also update your records yourself. You can do this via the My Account/Update my Data tab on MyBeckett. This will ensure we can always contact you in an emergency, and that you receive any important University communications that we may need to send you.
We will inform you of class activities and course notifications, including any cancellations, normally through MyBeckett announcements or emails. For each module, the Module Handbook will include the preferred method of communicating general information about that module to you.
MS Teams is part of the Office 365 suite used by staff and students for communication and collaboration:
- Access via MyBeckett on University devices as well as on personal mobiles via a free downloadable app.
- Participate in online meetings and video conferencing in groups or one-to-one.
- Work on shared content, ideas, projects and online learning.
- Utilise breakout rooms to create more dynamic sessions
Further information is available on the Library's MS Teams FAQ web page.
Timetable Information
The University’s standard term dates are available on our Academic Calendars web page.
Taught sessions, both mandatory and optional, will be scheduled and included in your online timetable. Depending on your course, this may also include scheduled online teaching and learning sessions where student engagement is required at a specified time or tutor pre-recorded lectures.
Normally, timetables will be made available to continuing students on 31st July and during induction week for new students via:
- The Student Portal (MyBeckett)
- The Leeds Beckett app
You should discuss any difficulties relating to your engagement with timetabled sessions with your Course Administrator.
Course Overview
This course aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge, skills and values required by the National Youth Agency in its Professional Validation and Curriculum Requirements guidance to achieve a professional qualification at graduate level. A distinctive aspect of the youth work and community development programmes at the University has been the priority given to learning through reflection and the emphasis on the contribution of theory to practice and of practice to theory. As such, the course encourages students to: critically examine previously held assumptions about themselves, others and society; question traditional concepts such as 'youth' and 'community'; recognise and explore contradictions inherent in youth work and community development such as the tension between empowerment and social control, and; to promote enterprising, sustainable and ethical practice.
Whilst the main focus of the professional validation process is Youth Work, the course seeks to encourage students to understand the diverse family and community contexts in which young people live and the contribution they make. The aim is to equip our students with knowledge and skills to enable them to respond creatively to change taking place in families and communities whether of identity, interest and/or location. Our view is that there are common and defining principles which underpin youth work, work with young people and community development. Similarly, the impact of the changing political world (particularly post-Brexit), a decade of public sector austerity measures and the impact of globalisation on young people and communities has taken on a greater significance in the curriculum and placement opportunities. The contexts for practice are changing and innovative models of evidence based practice are evolving to meet the demands and needs of new and diverse constituencies, including newly arrived migrants and unaccompanied asylum seeking children, survivors of child sexual exploitation, those with mental health concerns, homeless people, and young people struggling to survive in mainstream education.
Inter-agency working within and across different sectors has become an established requirement for all public sector work and this has resulted in models of practice that have the potential to complement and reinforce the significance of youth work and community development. These models include coaching and mindfulness, participatory practice, mentoring, counselling, mediation and restorative practice. The development of a School-wide portfolio of courses for those who work with individuals and groups in community-based settings introduces students to inter-professional working, interdisciplinary learning, models of evidence based practice and approaches used, and raises awareness of the professional roles and responsibilities that are inherent within a changing and diverse workforce. The overall aim of the course is therefore to develop qualified workers who can demonstrate skills for employment and future learning and have attributes valued by employers within the specific youth and community work workforce and wider related settings; this includes the ability to understand and apply national policies and guidance, including the Department for Education (2017) Working Together to Safeguard Children; to be able to undertake primary research and evaluation into areas of professional practice, using a wide range of approaches and evidence that guide and inform future practices.
- Have developed a critical understanding of the place of social sciences in the professional and applied contexts of youth work and community development practices.
- Have developed the ability to employ knowledge, skills and values that reflect 'best and innovative practice' in complex situations.
- Be able to adopt an enquiring, analytical and critical approach to applying policy to their practice as it relates to young people and communities.
- Have developed a reflexive approach to new and creative forms of learning including digital literacy.
- Be able to critically assess and evaluate new and evolving models of practice and potential synergies with youth and community work.
- Be able to critically analyse the significance and impact of global/political events on young people and local communities and support appropriate practice interventions.
- Critically engage in debates around the social, cultural and economic impact of globalisation on individuals and communities, which inform intervention strategies that promote social change.
- Synthesise knowledge to articulate the history, development and current social policy impact on individuals and communities with specific regard to children, young people and families.
- Extend knowledge of primary data collection methods and develop a critical awareness of both choice and suitability of methods when applied in a practice setting.
- Critically reflect on their professional identity, through the synthesis of theoretical knowledge, skills and values consistent with professional body expectations and Occupational Standards.
- Critically analyse a variety of theoretical perspectives and conceptual frameworks, which highlight their commitment to anti-oppressive practice, social justice and overcoming global inequalities.
- Critically apply management and leadership approaches to practice-related situations in a manner that is consistent with youth and community work values and ethics.
Assessment & Feedback
Level 4 is assessed mainly by coursework with some practical assessments.
Level 5 is assessed mainly by coursework with some practical assessments.
Level 6 is assessed mainly by coursework with some practical assessments.
Placement experiences are assessed.
Please note the assessment periods in the academic calendar and make sure that you are available during those periods. Further details of your schedule of assessments and presentations can be found on your timetable once the assessment schedule is released. Coursework submission deadlines can normally be found on MyBeckett, and in individual module handbooks/other module guides.
Disabled students requiring adjustments to assessments/examinations should contact Disability Advice as soon as possible. We can only guarantee that adjustments can be put in place if students have contacted us by the following deadlines:
Semester 1 - 10th November 2023
Semester 2 - 8th March 2024
Contact us:
Email: disabilityadvice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Tel: 0113 812 5831
Website: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/disability-advice/
It is important for your progression and achievement that you submit all work for all assignments in a timely manner. It is also important that you keep copies of all work submitted until after you have graduated. You should also keep any receipts confirming the submission of assignments. In the event of your submitted work being lost you may be required to produce a copy of the work and submission receipt. If you are unable to do so, your work will not be marked.
It is important to note that submitting all assignments is a requirement of your course. Should you experience extenuating circumstances which prevent you from submitting on time please make yourself aware of the Mitigation and Extenuating Circumstances process. Without any form of extenuating circumstances, standard penalties apply for late submission of assessed work. Full details of the penalties for late submission of course work are available in section 3 of the Academic Regulations at https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/our-university/public-information/academic-regulations/
If you have been recommended 'flexibility around deadlines' as a reasonable adjustment in a Reasonable Adjustment Plan, your Course Administrator will be able to advise you of the process.
You will be required to submit your written work via PebblePad and Turnitin and information on Turnitin is available here: https://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/it_support/mybeckett/turnitin
Assessed work will normally be returned with appropriate feedback within four weeks of your submission. Summative assessment results are placed on the VLE and students receive an electronic communication announcing the publication of results. The four week turnaround period allows staff to mark, moderate and quality assure all student work. Each module handbook will provide you with specific guidelines on how and when you will receive feedback on your assessments.
Students are encouraged to communicate and consult with their module tutor as first point of contact if they are unsure about anything relating to the assessment, or the mark they have been awarded. Open communication on assessment between student and module tutor is key for developing an integrated approach to formative and summative feedback.
Formative assessment is integrated throughout the modules on the course. Key modules have practical skills assessments using communication suites, allowing tutors and peers to provide students with instant feedback on their skills and application of knowledge. Formative feedback is also provided through classroom activities such as presentations, debates, discussions, group work and online discussion boards and is encouraged in personal tutorials to support reflective learning and personal and professional development.
Results from module assessments and decisions on progression to the next level of study (e.g., from Level 4 to Level 5 of an undergraduate degree) or awards (if you are in the final level) are available on the Results Online system: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/exams-assessments-and-awards/results-online/
Results will appear on Results Online within five working days from the date of the Progression and Award Board meeting (the meeting where your end of level outcome will be decided) or the Module Board meeting (the meeting where modular outcomes are decided).
If you are unsure about when you might receive your results or have queries relating to your results, you should contact your Course Administrator.
The University recognises that, from time to time, students may encounter issues which may prevent them from being able to submit or take assessment. Where this is the case, students may be able to submit their 'extenuating circumstances' for consideration. Please see the Mitigation and Extenuating Circumstances web page for further information.
If you have not passed a module at the first attempt you will be eligible for re-assessment. See your module handbook for details of the relevant re-assessment process (e.g., whether it is coursework, a presentation or other form of assessment/when it will take place/what the deadline is). You will be advised by email or via Results Online of your options for re-assessment. You are advised to contact your module leader for any clarification.
Details about our Appeals process can be found on the appeals web page.
Academic integrity means intellectual honesty and is part of good academic practice. Further information can be found on our academic integrity web page.
Teaching & Learning
The course emphasises peer-learning and co-production of knowledge, in line with the professional value-base, and beliefs about the relationship between teacher and learner. In the majority of modules, this is experienced as a 'workshop' style approach to encourage everyone to participate. To enable students to make the most of this approach, significant emphasis is placed on preparatory work which is either uploaded in the VLE in support of 'flipped learning' or provided as module readers. This shared approach to learning is further embedded through the use of online debates, in-class activities and small group tasks.
In order to support students in their transition to University, many of the modules encourage small group working and an opportunity to practise and develop skills. This will be replicated through group activities and online seminars. At level 5, in the option modules, the learning and teaching activities are very practically focussed, whilst at level 6 part of the Management, Leadership and Enterprise module requires students to work in small teams to undertake a very practical task, usually a funding bid, and present this to a panel of senior staff from local youth and community work projects. Within the current context of youth and community work management the ability to undertake a practice-focussed enquiry or write and present funding bids and project proposals is a growing area of practice.
In addition to the taught modules, the practice placement modules include taught workshops to prepare students for undertaking their work-related learning and practice placements. These include a specific introductory course which is delivered online and covers safeguarding and child protection which must be completed prior to undertaking the level 4 Work-Related Learning. There are other level specific sessions on employability, developing reflective practice skills, understanding how to apply safeguarding policies in practice, risk-assessments and asset-based community development. These workshops are co-ordinated by our Practice Placement Co-ordinator and include external speakers and inputs from staff within the University.
A range of assessment tools are used reflecting both the diversity of knowledge and skills being assessed, and the need to provide students with a range of means of demonstrating their achievement of Learning Outcomes. Assessments include written and visual assignments, group presentations, reflective learning (v)logs, reports, digital learning objects, group projects, authentic experience exercises and in class tasks.
Digital learning objects and digital audio and video tools are used to support teaching and learning. These are introduced at level 4 to support their digital leaning and communication. Students are asked to produce a digital communication output in the Politics of Everyday Life module and the Engaging and Communicating module. These outputs take the form of a podcast/(v)log for the Politics of Everyday Life module and a practice skills video within the Engaging and Communicating module. Multimedia sources are used to engage and support students learning in a comprehensive manner throughout the course.
During the second and third year of the course, students undertake two periods of assessed practice with support from a suitably qualified and experienced practice supervisor on placement. Each placement has a specific focus, and students are supported by a member of the course team and a supervisor, to identify individual learning outcomes, role and responsibilities. The summative practice assessment is completed by a member of the course team, based on feedback and evidence from the student and their supervisor. In addition to the formal teaching and assessment roles undertaken by staff, every year group has a Level Tutor, and access to an Academic Adviser who works to support their personal and professional development.
Modules are 20 credits except where noted below.
Level 4 core modules
Engaging and Communicating
Human Growth and Development Across the Lifespan
Politics of Everyday Life
Professional and Academic Skills
Social Justice and Inequality
Working Positively: Empowering Relationships (Work-Related Learning 1)
Level 5 core modules
Developing Research in Practice: Young People and Communities
History and Ideologies of Youth and Community Work
Practice Placement: Facilitating Learning
Working in Communities
Level 5 option modules, one undertaken from list provided to students.
Level 6 core modules - indicative delivery
Semester 1
Contemporary Challenges for Practice: Working with Children, Young People and Families
Global Practitioner
Management, Leadership and Enterprise
Practice Placement: Leading and Developing Practice 40 credits
Practitioner Enquiry
Semester 2
Practice Placement: Leading and Developing Practice continues
Practitioner Enquiry continues
A standard 20 credit module equates to 200 notional learning hours, comprising teaching, learning and assessment, embedded placement/work-related learning activities and independent study.
Overall Workload in hours | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
Teaching and Learning | 210 | 156 | 150 |
Independent Study and Assessment | 890 | 719 | 475 |
Work-related learning/Placement | 100 | 325 | 575 |
Details of School academic staff can be found on the School of Health Website.
Attendance & Absence
The University expects you to attend and contribute fully to all mandatory sessions on your timetable as set out in your student contract. Engagement in your lectures, seminars and practicals is an important part of your learning - contributing both to the University community and the learning experience of your fellow students on the course. This includes engagement in scheduled virtual learning and activities and meetings in online environments related to your studies.
We monitor your engagement at the University as regular attendance and academic achievement are closely linked. Moreover, by monitoring your engagement and attendance we can identify students who may need our guidance or support at an early stage to help them progress in their studies. This is part of our commitment to ensuring an excellent education and experience and supporting your success at Leeds Beckett.
The University does understand that from time to time there is good reason why you cannot attend a class, and in this instance you must contact your School office to let them know. This may then be recorded as an 'authorised absence'.
Please note that any attendance reports can be shared with you and your Course team. You might be asked to contact your School office so that appropriate academic or pastoral support can be offered, should your attendance record give cause for concern.
Our most important aim is to support your studies, but we are also required to report attendance to various external bodies such as the Student Loan Company and the Home Office. There are measures in place for students who seek to falsely register either their own or fellow students' attendance.
Our Academic Engagement Policy is available under 'Student Contract' on the Student Regulations web page.
Please note that if your course carries professional accreditation or recognition, there may be additional course-specific attendance requirements detailed elsewhere in this handbook.
You must notify your Course Administrator if you are absent (for example for an interview, emergency unforeseen circumstances, or for compassionate leave). If you are going to apply for mitigation you will need to provide written evidence of the reason for your absence.
Please note that if your course carries professional accreditation or recognition, there may be additional course-specific absence reporting requirements detailed elsewhere in this handbook.
If you are unable to study due to Covid-19 (coronavirus) symptoms, please see the guidance available on our Covid-19 web page.
If you are unable to study because of another illness for more than 14 consecutive days (including weekends), you must provide us with a Fit Note.
You can send a digital copy of your Fit Note to your Course Administrator, and then send the original by post.
If you are absent through illness on the day of an examination or assignment deadline and you intend to apply for mitigation, you must also provide us with details as possible. Your submission for mitigation may be made online and the circumstances surrounding it may be self-certified unless your period of absence is prolonged. Generally, all absences of 2 weeks or more will require the submission of verifiable documentary evidence.
For more information on 'fit to sit' and mitigation please visit our Mitigation web page.
Please note that if your course carries professional accreditation or recognition, there may be additional course-specific absence reporting requirements detailed elsewhere in this handbook.
Any Leeds Beckett student who suspects they may have, or have been diagnosed as having a serious infectious disease such as coronavirus, Mumps, TB, measles, meningitis or chicken pox should not attend campus. For notifiable diseases, students should notify their Course Director or Course Administrator as soon as possible giving information regarding which groups of students (and/or colleagues and clients on placements) you have been in contact with and when. For some diseases, such as TB and meningitis, your doctor and our Student Wellbeing Team have a responsibility to notify the West Yorkshire Public Health Protection Team who may also wish to speak to you (or your family) to determine if others require screening or medication. You should follow advice given by the hospital or your GP about when it is safe to return to University. Further information is available on the Student Wellbeing web page.
For guidance on what to do if you have symptoms of Covid-19 (coronavirus), please visit our Covid-19 web page.
If you are thinking about changing course or withdrawing from your course, further information can be found on our Student web pages.
International Students
Please be aware that our University fully complies with United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) policy at all times. There are legal reporting requirements for all students in the UK on a Student visa, and full attendance is mandatory for all students who have a Student visa. Failure to meet UKVI attendance and engagement requirements could lead to your academic sponsorship being withdrawn and your visa being revoked.Students who hold a Student visa need to be aware of their responsibilities whilst in the UK, please see www.ukcisa.org.uk or our Student Immigration Advice and Compliance web page for full information.
For up-to-date information about visas, immigration issues and other matters relating to international students, please visit the International Students' web pages on the Students website or email the Student Immigration Advice and Compliance Team on siac@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
You should have been enrolled on the International Student's Academic Introduction module in MyBeckett when you began your studies - if you missed this you can self-enrol and explore the content which introduces you to making the academic transition to a UK university. Please refer to Library page supporting international students
Professional Accreditation or Recognition Associated with the Course
National Youth Agency
See details on the National Youth Agency website: https://nya.org.uk/career-in-youth-work/getting-qualified/
In order to successfully complete the course and qualify as a youth and community worker, each student must undertake and pass all placements during their course. It is an NYA requirement that students must complete at least 50% of their placement in direct engagement with young people aged 11 to 25 years, but where the primary focus is 13 to 19 years.
'In Year' Work Placement Information
Students undertake two assessed practice placements totalling 650 hours minimum during their course of study, 50% of which must be with young people aged between 11 and 25, but with a primary focus on 13 to 19 year olds. In addition, during level 6, students are required to undertake a piece of Practitioner Enquiry in their final placement setting, and 150 hours focussed on Management and Leadership, within the Management, Leadership and Enterprise module, exceeding the NYA 800 hours minimum requirement. Students are encouraged to gain experience in new and challenging contexts, including international settings that meet both their individual learning needs and the NYA's Professional Validation and Curriculum Requirements guidance.
Students also undertake work-related learning of 100 hours at level 4.
Level 5: 325 placement hours
Level 6: 325 placement hours and 150 hours of work-related learning
Placements may be local, regional, national or international
Placement handbooks: See these handbooks for current information regarding placements.
Travel expenses: Students undertaking work-related learning/placements may be able to access financial support in some situations - details are provided within the module handbook.
Reporting absences for placements
See details in your Placement Handbook. The absence reporting web page is here: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/health-practice-learning-hub/absence-reporting/
Skills, Employability & Graduate Opportunities
You will have opportunities to gain recognition during your time at Leeds Beckett University for the extra activities you do in addition to your studies, including volunteering, student societies, playing in our University sports teams and being a Course Representative.
By joining a society with Leeds Beckett Students' Union, you can make new friends, have fun, try something new and enhance your CV - societies provide a great opportunity to learn new skills and improve your existing ones. It can be difficult to get to know new people at university but don't worry, everyone is in the same boat! Our Leeds Beckett Students' Union believe that joining a student-led society is the best way to meet new people and make lifelong friends. There are so many societies out there - from course-based to hobby-based to religious to political and campaigning. Whether you're just starting out at Leeds Beckett or working on your last year of study, it is never too late to find the right society for you - or start one yourself!
Course-based societies are a great way to meet people on your course, expand your networks and celebrate your achievements together such as end of year Society Balls. If you have a great idea for a society, we can help you get it up and running. There are resources and support available for all societies - including funding to help make your society goals a reality. For more information on starting your own society, visit: leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/societies/create.
Graduate attributes: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/academic-skills-and-advice/graduate-attributes/
There are three Graduate Attributes for Leeds Beckett University and these are tailored to suit your course. The three attributes you should achieve by the end of the course are for you to be digitally literate, have a global outlook and for you to be enterprising. Learning about these attributes and being assessed on these as part of your modules will provide you with capabilities for your future career and wider life as you move on from your studies here. Where appropriate these attributes have been embedded into modules and across levels of the course and are identified in individual module handbooks.
Being enterprising as a concept forms part of the professional landscape of social care service provision; to support this learning and graduate attribute we have embedded it throughout the course. At level 4 we embed enterprise as a core concept within the Professional and Academic Skills module which looks at enterprise within classroom learning activities and through direct learning and observation within practice.
Digital literacy is systematically integrated throughout all modules through teaching, learning and assessment strategies. The modules use a range of digital platforms to complete module assessment including the use of a VLE environment through eportfolios to support written reflections, video logs and audio communications to demonstrate student learning and progression in relation to digital literacy.
A global outlook is embedded at multiple levels within the course. Globalisation and diversity are essential components of academic learning and professional placement. We want students to understand and appreciate how the complex social forces of globalisation interconnect with everyday life and social care practice.
The work-related learning offered at all levels is supported by the Placement team. Students work with the team to identify their placement learning opportunity, or they may wish to use paid employment within a project or service that works with young people. At each level an academic advisor/workplace mentor supports the placement experience, acting as a point of contact for the organisation and management of the placement experience, and also providing support for the academic work-related learning (portfolio). As you are studying a professional qualification, not only will you develop graduate skills that are transferable to the workplace, you are also meeting the expectations and requirements of the professional validation, which uses professional and national occupational standards in both youth work and community development.
As a qualified youth and community worker, you will be able to work in children and young people's services, employed alongside or managing a range of other professions. Our graduates work in schools, colleges, youth offending services, outdoor activity centres, residential settings and youth and community centres. Role examples include youth workers, community development workers, behaviour management workers and learning support workers.
Learning Support
If you have a question or a problem relating to your course, your Course Administrator is there to help you. Course Administrators work closely with academic staff and can make referrals to teaching staff or to specialist professional services as appropriate. They can give you a confirmation of attendance letter, and a transcript. You may also like to contact your Course Rep or the Students' Union Advice team for additional support with course-related questions.
Your Academic Advisor will be an academic member of staff who teaches you on your course. Your Course Director will make sure that you are given the contact details of your Academic Advisor at the beginning of each year, usually in your course induction. Further details on the role of your Academic Advisor are available on the Academic Advisor web page.
If you need support, but you're not sure where to go, your Student Advice Team are here to help. The team are an essential part of your Student Support Network and are dedicated to ensuring you can access the advice and support you need, when you need it most.
Student Advice can also help in the practical elements of university. The team will produce your first campus card and assist you in replacing your campus card if needed throughout your time at Leeds Beckett. They can provide Confirmation of Enrolment and Bank Letters for our current students and full or partial transcripts for our graduates and fully enrolled students.
If you need help with more complex queries or concerns, our trained Student Life Advisers offer 1-1 appointments, providing a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space to talk about your circumstances and identify support that you can access both within and outside of the university.
To contact the team, or to arrange an appointment, visit The Student Advice webpage for full details.
The Student Voice & Insight team at LBSU works alongside the elected Academic Experience Officer to effectively represent students' academic interests.
We provide support, training and ongoing development to over 1,000 Course Representatives, Postgraduate Research Reps, Student Community Leaders and Global Majority Student Ambassadors who represent you whilst you study at Leeds Beckett; and facilitate the collection of student feedback on your academic experience.
Unsure who your Course Rep is? Maybe you're interested in becoming a Course Rep or have feedback about your academic experience? Get in touch at:
- Email: studentvoice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
- Telephone: 0113 812 8400
- Website: leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/your-voice
You can find information and resources online through the Support and Opportunities tabs in MyBeckett. In the Support tab, you can find details of a range of services that provide academic and personal support. These include Student Advice, Library Services, the Students' Union, Student Money, Disability Advice, Student Wellbeing, Student Immigration Advice and Compliance and Accommodation. There is also an A-Z of Support Services, and access to online appointments/registration.
In the Opportunities tab, you can explore the options you have for jobs, work placements, volunteering, and a wide range of other opportunities. For example, you can find out here how to get help with your CV, prepare for an interview, get a part-time job or a voluntary role, take part in an international project, or join societies closer to home.
If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or a specific learning difference, we believe this should never be a barrier to studying at our University.
Please get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can ensure everything is in place before your course starts.
What should I do next?
- We will ask you to provide evidence of your disability, usually from a health professional or educational psychologist. Don't worry if you haven't got any, we can support you with this.
- Usually, we will arrange an appointment with your Disability Adviser to discuss any adjustments you might need and support you in applying for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA).
- We will work with you to ensure any adjustments you need are available so you can fully participate on your course.
Please watch this short video about how the Disability Advice Team can work with you.
Disabled students can also access the Disability Resource Areas in each library and the support provided by the Library Learning Support Officer. More information is available on the Library website.
What is Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)?
DSA is government funding to help with the cost of any additional support you might need while studying, such as: one-to-one support, specialist equipment (including useful software) and travel. For more information visit our website.
Contact Us:
Email: disabilityadvice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Tel: 0113 812 5831
Website: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/disability-advice/
The Library
The Library offers 24/7 support for your studies. You can access thousands of resources via MyBeckett or the Library website which also provides full details of all our services.
Library Academic Support
The Library Academic Support Team can help you develop your academic skills such as critical thinking, academic writing and analysing data, and research skills such as how to find, use and evaluate information for your studies. The team liaises with your lecturers to provide the information resources you need for your subject and to arrange academic skills sessions to support you in your studies.
The team maintains a number of websites and modules to support your learning:
- In your Subject guide, you'll find a variety of information resources which have been selected as a good starting point for research in that area. These are available on the Skills and Subject Support web page or via My Beckett.
- On the Skills for Learning website, you'll find online resources covering topics such as essay writing, research and time management, English Language and academic English plus information to help you reference and avoid plagiarism, alongside details of workshops that are designed to help you succeed in your assessments. The Skills for Learning website can be found on the Library website or via My Beckett.
- LBU Study Smart is a module in MyBeckett which introduces you to the key skills and services you'll need to study successfully at Leeds Beckett. There are also additional modules you can take as you move through your course to help you transition between study levels. The Academic Integrity Tutorial is a module in MyBeckett which introduces you to academic integrity at LBU and will help you develop the skills you need to attain good academic practice, including avoiding plagiarism and academic referencing.
- The Academic Integrity Tutorial is a module in MyBeckett which introduces you to academic integrity at LBU and will help you develop the skills you need to attain good academic practice, including avoiding plagiarism and academic referencing.
Library and Student IT Advice Service
The Library and Student IT Advice Service team can answer your queries on borrowing, finding information, passwords, multi-factor authentication (MFA) ,Office 365, online meetings, saving your work, MyBeckett and more:
- online (including 24/7 chat) via the Contact Us web page
- by phone - 0113 812 1000 (24/7 IT support)
- face-to-face in either of our Libraries, check Library opening times for details of when staff are available
They also have a wide range of short tutorials available on the Library's YouTube channel.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi on the University campus is provided by eduroam, a secure wireless network, which also allows you Wi-Fi access if you visit other universities. To connect:
- Select eduroam from available Wi-Fi
- Your login details are:
Username followed by @leedsbeckett: e.g. c1234567@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Password: your normal university password
*Android Users: Select under Phase 2 Authentication - MS-CHAPv2
Help is available on the Library's Wi-Fi web page.
Microsoft Office 365
You are provided with free access to Office 365 and the latest version of Office can be downloaded from the IT tab in MyBeckett or from office.com. All students who are registered for a qualification at Leeds Beckett University are eligible and you can use the subscription for the duration of your course. For instructions and more information, please see the Office 365 support page.
OneDrive
OneDrive Leeds Beckett is your individual file storage with 1TB of storage space. With OneDrive you can access and share your files across your devices. This is accessible on University PCs and off-campus through Office 365 portal. See the Saving your Work pages on the Library website for more information.
Leeds Beckett RemoteApp
The Leeds Beckett RemoteApp gives you access to a range of specialist software for your course on your personal devices. See the RemoteApp page on the Library website for more information.
Media Equipment - free loans
You can borrow high-end Media Equipment for free. Browse, reserve and collect equipment ranging from GoPros to Remote Presenters from the ground floor of the Shelia Silver and Headingley Libraries. Further information is available on the Media Equipment web page.
University life can have its ups and downs, and occasionally you may find yourself in need of advice. That's where we come in. Here at the SU we have a free advice service that is here just for you, the students at Leeds Beckett University.
The Advice Service at LBSU is a confidential, non-judgmental service run by professional advisers.
The service is independent from the University, so if you are having any problems with your course you can talk confidentially with us - although we do work with the University to find the best solutions, we would only contact them with your permission. We can advise on a range of topics including all aspects of the University Regulations and Procedures, housing issues and finance issues. We can guide you through any processes or procedures.
We're here to help you with any questions or problems you might have while you are studying at Leeds Beckett.
Get more information at www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/advice.
Resources
MyBeckett, the portal and virtual learning environment provides:
- access to your modules and timetables;
- your reading lists and email account;
- your personal storage area on our University IT servers;
- information on where to look for academic or personal support (Support tab);
- information on opportunities such as jobs, careers, part-time work, placements and volunteering (Opportunities tab)
- access to Library and student IT advice
Further information and support for using MyBeckett can be found on the MyBeckett Support Pages.
The physical and online resources available for this course include classroom and lecture facilities with PC and smartboard facilities; social learning spaces with individual tutorial rooms; and the online learning repository 'MyBeckett' which contains lectures, notices, assignment submission facilities.
Equality and Inclusion
The University actively promotes the dignity and respect of all students. It facilitates an inclusive approach through its Equality and Diversity team and by working in close co-operation with the Students' Union. The University and the Students' Union have established several staff / student forums including a Disability Action Group, Gender Forum, Rainbow Rose LGBT forum and a Race Equality Forum. These provide opportunities for dialogue and support for both students and staff. As a student we encourage you to get involved and feedback issues of interest and concern.
If you have individual concerns the University and the Students' Union employ trained, experienced professionals fully aware of equality and diversity issues. The University Wellbeing team and the Student Welfare Office can offer support, advocacy and advice in relation to these and many other issues. More information is available under the Academic and Personal Support sections of the Support tab in MyBeckett, the Equality and Inclusion web page and on the Students' Union web site. See here for more details: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/our-university/equality-and-inclusion/
Student Voice
We are committed to working in partnership with you and the Students' Union to provide you with an inclusive, safe and engaging learning environment which is conducive to study for all our students and our staff. An important element of your time studying with us is your engagement in developing your learning. Your engagement and attendance on your course enables you to further your learning and supports your achievement, course completion and aspirations for the future. There is an expectation that students will attend, engage in their learning and submit on time for assessment. We provide support for you to maximise your time studying with us and to develop your learning, skills and abilities to support you in your chosen career path.
We seek active participation by all our students in the continuous enhancement of our courses and through our monitoring, annual review and enhancement processes. These are formal processes used by our University for assuring the academic standards and quality of your course and its continuous improvement. These processes utilise your feedback, External Examiners' reports, feedback from staff and others, data relating to student outcomes on the course and student surveys to reflect on areas of good practice and areas for further enhancement. We invite all students to participate in a range of opportunities to provide us with feedback on your course and modules. This may include discussions with staff, focus groups, and meetings (e.g. with Course Representatives or with staff) and formalised student surveys e.g. mid module reviews, end of module evaluations and specific course or other surveys such as the Student Barometer, National Student Survey and Graduate Outcomes Survey. We utilise the outcomes of these surveys to benchmark our courses nationally and to inform annual course enhancements.
Informal feedback is also welcome at any time either via your Academic Advisor or module tutor or via your Course Representative. Our partnership with you enables us together to make the most of your learning experience with us and to enhance the quality and reputation of your course. You can find out what actions have been taken in response to your feedback through your Course Representative, the Students' Union, your tutors or through the Library.
Course Representatives (Reps) at undergraduate and postgraduate taught levels are student volunteers who represent you in formal and informal meetings with the University, and follow up on actions that have occurred because of student feedback. You can become a Course Rep, volunteering to represent the views of your peers in order to improve students' academic experience.
In the first few weeks of your time at Leeds Beckett, your Course Director will facilitate an opportunity to appoint Course Reps on your course.
LBSU provides support, training and ongoing development for Course Reps and supports their engagement in enhancement activities throughout the academic year.
Being a Course Rep provides you with an opportunity to enhance your own learning and the development of relevant professional and employability skills alongside your studies. As a Course Rep you would play an important role in:
- Acting as a point of contact and advocate for students on your course and in supporting their active engagement.
- Gathering feedback from students on your course to inform enhancements to the quality of your course and the student experience.
- Facilitating good communication between students and staff on the course.
- Working with the Course Director, members of the course team and the Students' Union to enhance your course.
- Facilitating and engaging in meetings about your course; and
- Being an ambassador for your course.
Further information about being a Course Representative is available at:
We invite all students to participate in a range of opportunities to provide us with feedback on your course and modules. This may include discussions with staff, focus groups, and meetings (e.g. with Course Representatives or with staff) and formalised student surveys e.g. mid module reviews, end of module evaluations and specific course or other surveys such as the Student Barometer, National Student Survey and the Graduate Outcomes Survey.
We are committed to providing a high quality experience for all our students. We welcome comments and compliments from students, and find them valuable for on-going improvements to our provision. Comments and compliments about your course can be raised with your Course Representative or directly with your Course Director or Academic Advisor.
If you have a specific complaint about an act or omission of our University, you may be able to make a complaint under the Student Complaints Procedure. In the first instance, you should raise the matter as soon as possible with the member of staff most directly concerned, or with the person who can best resolve it. If this does not resolve the matter, or if the complaint is too serious to be addressed in this way, then you should make a formal complaint in writing. Information about how to make a complaint, including the student complaints procedure and a complaints form, is available on the Students web pages.
General Information
Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) Applied Social and Community Studies
Bachelor of Arts Youth and Community Studies
Diploma of Higher Education Youth and Community Studies
Certificate of Higher Education Working with Children and Young People
All the contained awards are non-professional.
Leeds Beckett University
This course is only delivered full-time.
Course fees and additional course costs are confirmed in your offer letter. Course fees are presented to you annually through the online enrolment process. Please visit our Course and Tuition Fees Payment web pages for further information. Ongoing queries relating to additional course costs may be discussed with your Course Administrator.
Alternatively, you can contact any of the following teams:
For Student Finance related fee queries: studentfunding@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Other fee related queries: fees@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Payments: incomes@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Policies, Standards & Regulations
Key University regulations and policies can be accessed on the following web pages:
- Academic Regulations (including assessment regulations) are available on our Academic Regulations web page
- The Student Contract is available on our Student Regulations web page
- The Student Charter is available on our Academic Regulations web page (Section 20)
Other Student regulations and University policies, including Safety, Health and Wellbeing policies, are available on our Student Regulations web page
You should also familiarise yourself with Support Report Respect where students and colleagues who are victims of any form of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct, can access support, advice and guidance.
For advice on University regulations and policies, students should contact the Students' Union Advice Service.
The course follows the Academic Regulations except where noted below.
Fitness to Practise
The course is authorised to use the University Fitness to Practise Policy. Students are expected to act in a professional manner at all times in line with the Policy: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/-/media/files/policies/student/ups_fitness_to_practise_policy_procedure.pdf
Modules required to be passed
The level 5 and 6 practice placement modules and the level 4 work-related module (and all their components) must be passed to achieve the target award, BA (Hons) Youth Work and Community Development (JNC), with each component of assessment for these modules to be passed at a minimum of 40% and the pass/fail assessment must be passed:
- Level 4 Working Positively: Empowering Relationships
- Level 5 Practice Placement: Facilitating Learning
- Level 6 Practice Placement: Leading and Developing Practice
Placements
In order to successfully complete the course and qualify as a youth and community worker, each student must undertake and pass all placements during their course. It is an NYA requirement that students must complete at least 50% of their placement in direct engagement with young people aged 11 to 25 years, but where the primary focus is 13 to 19 years.
In the event of failure of placements, levels 5 and 6
Once a student is on placement, they are expected to conform to the expectations of their host agency. All students have an allocated Placement Tutor who is JNC qualified and manages the placement assessment. A focus on the student's fitness to practise is the main focus, and where it is felt that this is not being met a student may 'fail' their placement.
In the event of failure of any aspect of the placements, the student, Level Leader and Professional Practice Co-ordinator determines whether this aspect can be re-assessed. If failure is deemed to be through lack of evidence of appropriate learning, students may be asked to complete a further piece of assessed practice. Students may be able to extend or retake the placement at a suitable time. Where appropriate, this may involve an External Examiner (Fieldwork) meeting with them. However, where an issue of fitness to practise or misconduct is the reason for failure, the Fitness to Practise Policy and Procedures are followed.
Attendance requirements
As well as following the University's Academic Engagement Policy, students are required to achieve a minimum of 80% attendance across all aspects of the taught course and 100% of placement hours. Failure to attend to the 80% standard (without mitigating circumstances and evidence) means that a student is given an opportunity for re-assessment; although the re-assessment mark is capped at 40% where appropriate/ applicable, in some circumstances failure to attend may result in the student receiving a contained award without professional recognition. This means that:
1. Students must attend 80% of their taught course. Failure to attend 80% of these sessions with no mitigating circumstances may result in the student failing the module(s) overall, although reassessment opportunities are available in-line with University Regulations.
2. Evidence of attendance, in excess of the minimum placement hours detailed within the module specification, must be presented. The student is responsible for providing evidence of completing their assessed practice placement hours.
3. Failure to meet the attendance requirements, without evidence of mitigation, may result in a student only being eligible for a non-professional contained award.
4. Where students are at risk of failing to meet the attendance requirement, they are seen in the first instance by their Personal Tutor, and if concerns remain the Level Leader or Course Director agrees an Action Plan/ Learning Contract.
Non-attendance at tutorial, practical and group-based sessions has the potential to cause problems for completion of the course. Class registers sheets are used to record attendance. Students who have missed more than two sessions are required to attend a formal tutorial and provide evidence for their absence. If absences continue, they must submit a claim for mitigating circumstances which decides the level of severity and suitable outcome, which can include additional assessed work, or the repeat of a module, or invoking the Fitness to Practise procedures.
Contained awards
The contained awards are non-professional. The BA (Hons) Applied Social and Community Studies may be awarded to students who have undertaken 360 credits of study and have met the University requirements for an honours degree award but have failed to successfully pass their assessed practice at any level or achieve the minimum 80% academic attendance and 100% placement attendance as required by the NYA.
The External Examiner assures that you are assessed fairly in relation to other students on the same course and also that the standard of your own award is comparable to similar courses taken by students in other higher education institutions within the UK. The External Examiner(s) provide an annual report for your course. External Examiner reports are available on our External Examiner Reports web page, which is accessible via the Course Information link on the Students home page.
Mr Robin Smith, Director of Studies, The Institute for Children, Youth and Mission
Mr Mushtaq Khan, Commissioning and Quality Assuring Youth and Play Services, Manchester City Council
Appendices
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