Level 5 Diploma

 

“Embedding a social pedagogical culture, which underpins all aspects of practice, is a foundation for building other skills and knowledge. It develops tacit knowledge of practice, making it explicit through a shared language, which creates a reflexive practitioner and so brings meaning, and a framework to connect and understand what we do, and how we can continue to do better. Social pedagogy has the potential to create leadership at all levels within an organisation and support the development of confident practitioners who are active in leading and leadership within practice and service delivery.”

Patricia Walls, Social Pedagogy Manager, Kibble Education and Care Centre

Why learn about social pedagogy?

Social pedagogy connects care and education through relationship-centred practice. Its central idea is that each person has inherent potential, is valuable, resourceful and can make a meaningful contribution to their wider community if we find ways of including them. The objective in social pedagogical practice is to create the conditions in which people can thrive and unfold their unique potential. As a social pedagogy practitioner you are able to form warm and authentic professional relationships that make a genuine difference to the lives of the people you work with, play an active part in developing your organisation’s approach and address social inequality through educational means.

A 2017 ‘excellent’ Ofsted report gave an example of social pedagogy in action. ‘Social pedagogy is a well-established model of care in this home. Its implementation permeates throughout the home. This has enhanced children’s and young people’s outcomes, experiences and progress, because it places a major emphasis on positive relationships and purposeful, focused work. Children and young people feel listened to and know that their opinions are valued. Participation is promoted through regular ‘chill and chat’ meetings, monthly independent advocacy, daily recording of the children’s and young people’s wishes and feelings, and a monthly journal.’
– Ofsted Report (2017) on Eastgate, Lincolnshire County Council

Qualification overview

Jacaranda and ThemPra are now offering the Crossfields Institute Level 5 Diploma in Social Pedagogy for people working in care and education across the age range, with a particular focus on social pedagogical leadership and organisational development. Regulated by Ofqual, the 60-credit qualification is equivalent to one semester of university studies and consists of 3 integrated modules:

  • Social pedagogy in relationship-centred practice
  • Developing Leadership Skills in Social Pedagogy
  • Social pedagogy in a social and political context

Taught face to face, the 12-day course at the heart of this qualification draws on experiential, active and reflective learning methods to:

  • Develop practice and organisational culture by integrating social pedagogical theories and principles
  • Lead with greater confidence, intention and creativity
  • Enhance important interpersonal skills such as communication, relational and reflective skills
  • Develop strength-based, ethical and reflective leadership skills

You will have access to our virtual learning environment, one-to-one tutorial supervision and ongoing support in your learning and assessment. Assessment includes essays, presentations, and a creative practice project.

 

Module Outline

Social pedagogy in relationship-centred practice:

This module provides an overview of key theories and principles in social pedagogy and equips learners to apply these in relationship-centred practice, based on the Standards of Proficiency for Social Pedagogy.

Developing Leadership Skills in Social Pedagogy:

This module aims to help learners to develop social pedagogical leadership skills and supports them in developing social pedagogy within their own organisation.  Learners will become familiar with how they can fulfil a leadership role in a social pedagogical manner, placing ethical considerations at the heart of decision-making and resolving ethical dilemmas.

Social pedagogy in a social and political context:

This module helps learners familiarise themselves with the social-political dimension of social pedagogy as an ethical orientation concerned with social issues: promoting human welfare, addressing social inequality and creating conditions in which individuals, groups and communities can unfold their potential.

Career opportunities

Social pedagogy is highly relevant for inter-professional practice in education, health, and care settings across the life course. Successful graduates of the qualification will meet the SPPA Standards of Proficiency in social pedagogy and may carry the title Social Pedagogy Practitioner. The qualification credits enable progression into further study and relevant degree programmes in higher education.

Who is it for?

This new qualification provides an excellent professional development opportunity for ambitious practitioners, including leaders, managers and advanced practitioners, working in settings, such as:

  • Residential and foster care
  • Services for care leavers
  • Adoption support
  • Early childhood education and care
  • Education services, including schools, virtual schools, residential schools, Pupil Referral Units
  • Youth justice
  • Early Help and family support
  • Field social work
  • Independent reviewing
  • Youth, play and community services
  • Advocacy and participation services
  • Person-centred care
  • Mental health support
  • Day care and supported living for adults
  • Arts-based support projects
Who delivers the Diploma?

Jacaranda and ThemPra, UK pioneers in social pedagogy learning and development, are approved to deliver the Diploma. This is built on our longstanding experience in facilitating social pedagogy courses.

When and where does it start?

 

Starting in early 2018, we will be running three open courses across England and Scotland. Please register your interest early, and we will endeavour to plan locations around your needs. Courses can also be commissioned by single organisations and regional clusters of organisations (please contact us for further information), so it’s worth checking out with your employer and colleagues if they are interested. We are very happy to support you in outlining the organisational benefits of investing in social pedagogy.

 

Recognition of prior learning

If you have previously participated in a social pedagogy course, we may be able to recognise your prior learning. Please contact us to discuss what level of support you will require to refresh or deepen your learning and undertake the qualification.

Cost

The introductory fee for the Full Qualification is £3,100 (no VAT) per learner.

If you have completed a social pedagogy course of eight or more days with Jacaranda or ThemPra, the introductory fee is £2,400 (no VAT) per learner for six days of further learning, tutorial support, access to our Virtual Learning Environment and assessment.

These introductory fees are subsidised by the Scaling up Social Pedagogy project, so make sure to apply quickly to be amongst the first cohort of learners.

Next Steps

Any further questions? Submit your enquiries here: http://sppa-uk.org/qualifications/enquiry

If you are interested in this qualification, please click here to register your interest. We’ll accept applications from November and will send you further details as they become available.