The Professional Certificate in Effective Practice (Youth Justice) is a HE level 2 qualification awarded on successful completion of a 60 CAT point (transferable higher education creadits) course developed and delivered by the Open University [opens in new window].
Students will learn to demonstrate a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the youth justice system in England and Wales and how to apply this to their own practice and its operation within a multi-agency context. The course teaches the principles of evidence-based practice and the appropriateness of different approaches to preventing offending and reoffending by children and young people.
Students will be asked to provide evidence – from their own practice and the operation of the team in which they work – of competence in putting these methods, values and principles into practice. By the end of the course they will be expected to be able to accurately and discriminately specify, search for and use the information needed for effective practice in work within the youth justice system and show that they are confident and competent in the relevant communication and learning skills, at a level that enables them to continue to develop as autonomous learners and reflective practitioners
The overall aim of the qualification is to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to work effectively in the youth justice sector. The course enables students to develop the skills, knowledge and understanding to develop, implement and evaluate practice within evidence-based frameworks. They will be required to engage in a systematic review and critical assessment of current ways of working in youth justice, including their own practice and that of their team.
On completion of the award, students will be able to:
- demonstrate a sound knowledge and critical understanding of the youth justice system in England and Wales
- apply this knowledge and understanding to your practice and its operation within a multi-agency context
- compare critically the appropriateness of different approaches to preventing offending and re-offending by children and young people
- understand the principles of evidence based practice and have insight into how this should be applied to prevent offending and re-offending by children and young people
- show how they have an effective balance of generalist and specialist knowledge of the youth justice system
- provide evidence – from their own practice and the operation of the team in which they work – of competence in putting these methods, values and principles into practice
- accurately and discriminately specify, search for and use the information needed for effective practice in work within the youth justice system.
Click for the Professional Certificate frequently asked questions.