Course Structure
The National Certificate in Christian Youth Work is a modular qualification which can be undertaken in two stages. To gain the award a learner will need to complete the four modules from Stage One and four from Stage Two.

Each module is normally equivalent to 30 hours of learning. The learning includes taught sessions, private study, seminars, undertaking Christian youth work, and reflecting on the time spent with young people. Learners will be required to keep a log of hours of study and practice undertaken through writing Course Diaries which record the youth work they do.

The modules are divided into Stage 1 and Stage 2 as the majority of learners on the course find that four modules in one year is a balanced working plan and the first four provide the basic building blocks.

Modules can be taken in any order, although it would help to begin with Module 1 (Gateway) because it explains a lot about the course and how it runs.


Stage One
1. GATEWAY - An Introduction to Christian Youth Work
This module provides an overview and introduction to Youth Work and Youth Ministry and is a form of “access” to the course. It will seek to provide a ‘tool kit’ for the modules and the learning.
2. UNDERSTANDING YOUNG PEOPLE
This module enables learners to examine adolescent development, the history and components of youth culture, to identify the needs of young people in today’s culture and to consider how pressures and influences impact upon them.
3. WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE
Designed to enable learners to identify, examine and practice the skills necessary to be effective youth workers.
4. GOOD YOUTH WORK PRACTICE
This module enables learners to identify and explore the legal and moral requirements impacting on Youth ministry, young people and Youth Workers.


Stage Two
5. CORE VALUES
The essential elements of youth work and Christian ministry. The module includes equal opportunities, participation by young people, mission and vocation.
6. UNDERSTANDING LEARNING
How do young people learn and how can we help them learn.
7. MANAGEMENT OF THE WORK AND OF SELF
Looking after volunteers, church councils, others! Developing the youth work and structures for growth. Mission and Evangelism.
8. MODELS OF CHRISTIAN YOUTH WORK
Working with the young people who come in to the church – worship, youth congregations, youth cells, mentoring, accompanying, discipleship etc.
Working with young people in the community – detached, inclusion, schools, Advice & Guidance, Connexions, Evangelism and Mission.

There will soon be two optional modules which may be taken instead of or additionally with the four main Stage 2 modules:

9. MISSION AND YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK
A module prepared by Frontier Youth Trust and looking at the essential skills and approaches to work with young people on the margins.
10. SCHOOLS WORK
An overview of the various styles and approaches to work which Churches and Christian agencies can undertake in secondary school settings.


Accreditation
Each individual module is accredited by CYM and when a learner has passed all four Stage 1 and four of the Stage 2 modules, or when they wish to finish their learning on the course, they can qualify for the Open College Network (Oxford Thames & Chiltern) Certificate in Christian Youth Work. This will list the modules they have passed and the levels they have achieved.

The modules are currently accredited by CYM and OCN at Level 2 and Level 3. Those learners who wish to receive the OCN Certificate will need to pay the additional registration fee. For the academic year 2006/2007 this will mean a £10 initial registration and then £80 to receive the Certificate. These are the charges made by OCN for validation of the Centre and certification for each Learner.

We are working with the profession to eventually secure recognition within the NVQ/VRQ structure and qualify for ‘Youth Support Worker’ at Levels 2 and 3..


Academic Level
The modules are designed to be accessible to all regardless of any or no previous qualifications. Assignments will be assessed at OCN Levels 2 and 3. Level 3 is roughly equivalent to A-Levels and Level 2 to GCSE at A*-C.

At Level 2 the aim is to give youth workers an insight into what they do and why. At Level 3 the aim is to enable youth workers and youth leaders to be competent in a broad range of activities where they are often in charge of a youth group and responsible for directing the work of other adults and senior young people.

Completion of the National Certificate in Christian Youth Work at Level 3 will provide the appropriate academic and practical entry qualifications for the BA Honours Degree in Youth & Community Work and Applied Theology, validated by Oxford Brookes University.


Study Pattern
Each module will normally contain the following pattern of learning:

  • 5 hours Contact teaching time - involving lectures, seminars and discussion groups.
  • 10 hours private study, assignment preparation, distance learning material.
  • 12 hours practical work with young people in a supervised setting.
  • 3 hours with a Mentor (see Notes later)

In exceptional circumstances, some modules may be completed by Distance Learning. In those cases there will be 15 hours of private study, assignment preparation and distance learning material, together with 12 hours practical work and 3 hours with a Mentor.


Contact teaching
The teaching will be by qualified tutors who will have been trained or accredited by Centre for Youth Ministry.

For learners commencing Stage One, you can either attend two weekend residentials, which will contain the teaching material for two of the core modules each, or attend the appropriate Day Conferences for the Modules you wish to take.

In some places the teaching will be at evening meetings instead of day conferences.

Some modules will be available in Distance Learning format. Students will be required to attend any combination of Residential and Day conferences which will add up to the contact teaching for three of the four modules in Stage One and three of the four modules in Stage Two.


Private Study
Learners will be expected to undertake private study as part of the learning. This will include working through the Module Workbook, further reading indicated by the module and preparing material for the assignments. Tutors will be available to students via e-mail, letter or telephone. Learners may also e-mail sections of assignments to tutors for them to provide guidance, so long as the section(s) so discussed do not exceed 25% of the final assignment.


Work with Young People
Each learner will need to have an appropriate setting in which to work with young people and learn by 'doing' youth work. Such settings could be:

  • church youth club
  • Rock Solid Club
  • Discipleship Group
  • Youth Alpha Group
  • Local Authority Youth Club
  • Detached youth work
  • School lunch-time club;
  • Mentoring;
  • PHSE Lessons;
  • Advice Centre;
  • Work with Excluded pupils or
  • Any other setting where you regularly work with the same group of young people.

Further Studies
The Centre for Youth Ministry is planning to develop modules at around NVQ Level 4, for those who wish to study at the next level in:

  • Pastoral Care and Counselling
  • Worship and Faith Development
  • Schools Work or
  • Leadership and Strategic Development.

Practical Details ..