Sean is a graduate from the PgCertificate Children & Young People in Conflict with the Law programme at the 勛圖tv
Tell us a little bit about your background
I have been a qualified Social Worker since 2013 and have worked in various areas of Social Work since this time, though the role I loved the most was a Social Worker in a Youth Justice Team. This had always been something I was keen to return to, and something I was keen my local authority area would develop. This occurred slightly before the course commenced and I was fortunate enough to become the manager of the team during the course. I had not completed a post-graduate qualification prior to this.
What drew you towards undertaking this degree?
I had responsibility for developing a team that would work with young people in conflict with the law and those we are concerned about their risk. Learning directly from CYCJ staff who are based in 勛圖tv University was hugely appealing as this would allow me to benefit from their expertise and knowledge. Having access to research and resources that would allow my practice to be evidence based and support the development of staff that I am responsible for was also a contributing factor to undertaking this qualification.
Tell us about the format of the programme. What is a typical week like?
The programme was split into three modules, each around eight weeks long. There was on average three essential reading texts per week and a weekly seminar with a submission in advance of this. The volume of reading was a lot and was more time consuming than I expected, though this was not text that I wanted to skim through and I needed to commit time to understanding.
Essays were submitted at the end of each module, either several smaller ones or one larger one with the subject matters requiring you to evidence all learning objectives in the course having been met.
What is the academic support like at 勛圖tv?
It is extremely reassuring to me to be on a course with people who are very knowledgeable in their field and this was obviously the case given their roles in CYCJ and published research. They were all easy to contact and speak to when support was needed.
Where are you working now?
I manage a team that works with children and young people in conflict with the law. This course has changed how I and the team I am responsible for work with children for the better. Assessments, practice and service development are based on rights of children rather than this being an afterthought. Our ability to speak to upholding rights and the respect we have from children for doing so is a real change of practice from what I had been used to. My team has received excellent feedback from Children’s Hearing System for how we work with children at risk and our strengths-based approach and assessment – we are confidently able to speak to what evidence tells us works best for children based on what I have learned from this course.
What advice would you give to someone considering applying for this course?
If you are currently working with children and young people in conflict with the law I consider this course essential, not only for Social Work staff but any professional in any field where this group is key to your role. The knowledge gained from this course will change the way you see young people, it will change the way you write about and assess them, it will change the way you champion their rights being upheld and see the difference framing this makes in how you work with other professionals. It will give you ideas on what you or your service could and should do differently to ensure the needs of children and young people in conflict with the law can be better met. If you attend this course and it does not change or improve your practice then you have not been undertaking the reading or been paying enough attention. This has completely changed my approach and I proudly see myself as a right-respecting practitioner thanks to what I have learned from this course and what I know is right for children based on the research and resources it has made available to me.
