BA (Hons) Leadership and Management in Children's Services

Summary 2012/13

• Gain knowledge and skills in leadership, management and research relating explicitly to children’s service contexts;
• Study a course designed specifically for individuals experienced in a variety of children’s services settings or aiming to progress into such roles;
• Develop key skills such as leadership, motivation and management within the context of children’s services and the national Children’s Workforce development agenda.

This is a Level 6 conversion programme, giving you the opportunity to progress from a foundation degree (or equivalent) to an honours degree in a relevant subject.

If you’re currently working within children’s services, this programme offers you a comprehensive learning experience in leadership and management relating explicitly to children’s services across health, social, public and private provisions. You will benefit from this diversity through inter-professional learning resulting in transferable knowledge and skills across contexts.

2012 Entry Requirements

You are normally required to demonstrate 120 credits at Level 5 or equivalent, i.e. have completed an FdA Playwork, FdSc Working with Families and Communities or FdSc Integrated Practice.

Summary 2013/14

• Gain knowledge and skills in leadership, management and research relating explicitly to children’s service contexts;
• Study a course designed specifically for individuals experienced in a variety of children’s services settings or aiming to progress into such roles;
• Develop key skills such as leadership, motivation and management within the context of children’s services and the national Children’s Workforce development agenda.

This is a Level 6 conversion programme, giving you the opportunity to progress from a foundation degree (or equivalent) to an honours degree in a relevant subject.

If you’re currently working within children’s services, this programme offers you a comprehensive learning experience in leadership and management relating explicitly to children’s services across health, social, public and private provisions. You will benefit from this diversity through inter-professional learning resulting in transferable knowledge and skills across contexts.

2013 Entry Requirements

You are normally required to demonstrate 120 credits at Level 5 or equivalent, i.e. have completed an FdA Playwork, FdSc Working with Families and Communities or FdSc Integrated Practice.

Details

Who is this course for?

This programme is ideal if you are experienced in any of a variety of children’s services settings such as health, social, public and private organisations. It is also highly relevant if you hold a leadership or management role, or are aiming to progress into such roles.

What will I gain from this programme?

You will gain knowledge and skills relating to leadership, management and research relating explicitly to children’s service contexts. It is anticipated that students will be attracted from a variety of children’s services and this will facilitate inter-professional learning resulting in transferable knowledge and skills across contexts.

How we will support you

You and your learning will be supported by a personal tutor who will be allocated at the beginning of the course and will support academic development and progression as well as providing pastoral support when required. Further support is provided by learning support services specialising in academic development of undergraduate students.

What will I study?

You will be exposed to contemporary topics relating to both leadership and management theory in addition to research skills and literature review.

Leadership topics you will cover on the programme include characteristics of leaders, leadership styles and theories and the role of leadership in motivation. Reflective leadership, negotiation, supervision and the role of leadership in managing people involved in children’s services complement the topics above. Management processes, contemporary management theories and quality mechanisms are taught within the context of children’s services, in addition to time and resource management.

You will examine the characteristics and structures of diverse organisations relating to children’s services. The programme will also develop your knowledge and awareness relating to professional skills including record keeping, mentorship and management of change.

You will learn research methodologies and skills relating to quantitative and qualitative enquiry, analysis tools, research ethics and governance. This leads to you being supported in developing an area of interest within the children’s services context into a critical analysis of contemporary literature to form an undergraduate dissertation.

How will I study?

You will learn utilising contemporary teaching and learning methods such as lectures, tutorials (both individual and group based), problem based learning, use of virtual learning environments, peer group working and presentations.

Who will be teaching me?

You will be taught by a module team which consists of a core of five senior lecturers with comprehensive experience of leadership and management within a variety of health, community and other social contexts of children’s services. All contributors hold Master’s degrees in both management and leadership and complementary disciplines. All staff teaching on the programme are active in research within children’s services.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment methods include written assignments, proposals and a dissertation of 8,000 words in addition to a summative presentation.

What are my career prospects?

This programme will prepare the student for career advancement in terms of adoption of leadership and management positions within and across children’s services. In addition the programme will develop leadership and management skills essential to all practitioners involved in the delivery of children’s services.

Further study at Edge Hill University

MSc Integrated Children and Young People’s Practice

How do I apply?

Apply directly to Edge Hill University. Download the application form (pdf) and notes for guidance (pdf).

Visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/apply for more information on the application process and our Admissions criteria.

Fees and Finance

Full-Time Study

If you are joining this conversion degree in academic year 2012/13 and will be progressing directly from a foundation degree without a break from studying (disregarding any normal intervening vacation period between semesters), you will be classed as a "continuing" student provided you also studied the foundation degree on a full-time basis. The tuition fee for full-time continuing students is £3,465 for academic year 2012/13.

However, if you are joining this conversion degree in academic year 2012/13 as a new student, have taken a break from education since completing a foundation degree (disregarding any normal intervening vacation period between semesters), or you studied a foundation degree on a part-time basis, the tuition fee for full-time study is £9,000.

Eligible full-time students will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over the threshold amount (£15,000pa for the £3,465 fee, £21,000pa for the £9,000 fee).

To find out more about fees, grants and loans for full-time students on this programme in academic year 2012/13, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/conversionfees2012.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only.

Part-Time Study

If you are joining this conversion degree in academic year 2012/13 and will be progressing directly from a foundation degree (disregarding any normal intervening vacation period between semesters), you will be classed as a "continuing" student provided you also studied the foundation degree on a part-time basis. The tuition fee for part-time continuing students on this conversion degree in academic year 2012/13 is £380 per 20 credit module and £570 per 30 credit module.

UK continuing students will be able to apply for an annual fee grant up to £1,230, subject to income level and intensity of study, and may also be eligible for a means-tested grant of up to £265 for books, travel and other course-related expenditure.

However, if you are joining this conversion degree as a new student, have taken a break from education since completing a foundation degree (disregarding any normal intervening vacation period between semesters), or you studied a foundation degree on a full-time basis, the tuition fee for part-time study is £1,500 per 20 credit module and £2,250 per 30 credit module for academic year 2012/13.

New students, and those not classed as "continuing" students, will not have to pay upfront for their tuition. The cost of tuition will be paid by a loan which you will only start to repay once you have finished the course and are earning over £21,000pa.

To find out more about fees, grants and loans for part-time students on this programme in academic year 2012/13, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/conversionfees2012pt.

Please note, the above information is for UK and eligible EU students only. A total of 120 credits must be studied (at level 6) to complete a conversion degree.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like to receive a copy of our prospectus or be kept updated about forthcoming events, contact the Course Information, Advice and Guidance Team by emailing study@edgehill.ac.uk or calling 01695 657000.

If you want to attend one of our open events held throughout the year, visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/opendays to book your place.

You will also find Edge Hill University staff at many national careers fairs and UCAS events.

Still want more?

If you have any questions you would like to ask the programme leader about this course, please contact:

• Jill Snodin, Faculty of Health and Social Care, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 657040
• Email: snodinj@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

HUG 3100 Undergraduate Dissertation (30 credits) will focus on the identification of an area of vocational interest or concern to be identified by you and agreed with your supervisor. You will engage in a structured review of the literature related to your specific area of study and then apply critical analysis to the existing literature and make recommendations that will improve service provision.

HEA 3012 Research Methods (20 credits) is designed to develop your understanding of the research process and the nature and variety of research methods. The module’s characteristic features are to encourage you to see qualitative and quantitative methods as equally valuable and often complimentary.

HUG 3116 Leadership Styles and Processes (20 credits) explores the common behaviours, skills and knowledge required for managers within health, social, private and public sectors.

HUG 3117 Professional Leadership and Management (30 credits) provides a critical and evaluative perspective on leadership theories, styles and approaches in the contexts of health, social, private and public sectors.

You will also study a further, optional module, chosen from the undergraduate portfolio (20 credits).