HSER 264 Introduction to Professional Child and Youth Care

School of Health and Human Services

HSER 264 Introduction to Professional Child and Youth Care is designed to provide an overview of the child and youth care field, and the professional identity of child and youth care workers, which will enable the student to work with and advocate for children, youth and families in a more effective way. Students will explore the historical development of the field and gain a working understanding of the key concepts and basic principles of practice in the Child and Youth Care field. They will develop a clear understanding of the similarities and differences in the role and function of Child Care Professionals and other Human Service Professionals.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of an ECCE, SSW, or EACSW certificate

Accessibility Services Notice

Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.

Transfer Agreements

Course to Course transfer – YesBlock Transfer – Yesbctransferguide.ca
Course Details
Total number of weeks15
Total Credits
Total Hours45
Typical hours per week breakdown
Lecture3

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

  1. Describe the scope of the profession that represents aspects of child and youth care.
  2. Define terms such as normalization and integration
  3. Identify several key job functions and tasks of the child and youth care practitioner in various settings
  4. Articulate and basic principles of child and youth care practice
  5. Understand the socio-historical context for the development of services to children in need of care
  6. Explore the impact of several "founders" or "pioneers" and their personal stories in the development of child and youth care
  7. Understand child and youth care as a dynamic profession which continually changes in response to societal shifts
  8. Develop a framework for understanding the interrelationships between different areas of child and youth care practice in terms of ecological factors
  9. Develop knowledge about the characteristics of specific child and youth populations, key job functions, current issues, forces that affect practice and changes within the care system in British Columbia

Teaching and Learning Approach

Your instructor understands that individuals have diverse learning needs and preferences. As such, your instructor will provide learning materials and activities in a variety of mediums including visual, audio, video, small and large group discussions. Learners will get the most of their experience in this course through engaging with active participation.

Selkirk College offers a number of services that support student success including counselling, accessibility, learning skills as well as social and recreational opportunities. Your instructor recognizes that accessing these services should be a priority in your college experience and receiving support outside of the classroom may greatly contribute to your success inside the classroom.

Please speak to your instructor for more information on accessing services, developing accommodations and any other needs you have.

Learning Resources

Required:

O’Neill, H. (2006). Lullabies for little criminals. Toronto: Harper Collins Publishers.

Stuart, C. (2024). Foundations of Child and Youth Care. Dubuque: Kendall Hunt. (4th edition)

Detailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered

1. 1. Introduction and Course Overview Introduction to Lullabies for Little Criminals Defining Moments

2. 2. Historical Perspectives in CYC

3. 3. The Learning Journey

4. 4. Understanding the Milieu

5. 5. An Introduction to Theory and the Domains of Practice

6. 6. The Self

7. 7. READING BREAK: No Class

8. 8. Professionalism and Professional Caring in the Social-Political Context

9. 9. Communications

10. 10. Relationships

11. 11. Critically Applied Human Development

12. 12. The Systems Context

13. 13. Interventions

14. 14. Final Class

15. 15. No class

Assessment

Title Learning Outcomes Value
Assignment #1: Critical Analysis of Child and Youth Stereotypes 5, 7 20%
Assignment #2: Lullabies Assessment  3, 8 20%
Assignment #3: What is Child and Youth Care? Group Project and Presentation 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 9 30%
Test 1 and 2 - 15% each 4, 6, 9 30%
Total 100%

Grading Table

Standard Academic and Career Programs Grading Table

Percentage Letter Grade GPA
90-100 A+ 4.33
85-89 A 4.00
80-84 A- 3.67
76-79 B+ 3.33
72-75 B 3.00
68-71 B- 2.67
64-67 C+ 2.33
60-63 C 2.00
55-59 C- 1.67
50-54 P 1.00
0-49 F 0.00
DNW 0.00

See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.

Disclaimer

Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.