Athlone Institute of Technology

This programme equips learners with the skills necessary to specialise in the field of child and youth studies

Aim of Programme
Social care is an evolving sector which addresses the needs of people who experience marginalisation or disadvantage or who have 'special needs'. One of the largest sub-disciplines within this sector is that of child and youth care. Child and youth care workers work with children who are at risk of not reaching their developmental potential, or who already have experienced difficulties in development, as a result of social disadvantage. Over the past ten years the needs and circumstances of clients and the forms of care have changed considerably. Some of the current challenges for the profession include the evolution of specialisations in therapeutic approaches, the development of a multidisciplinary approach to the care of children and youth, and an appreciation of an increasingly rights-based approach to policy and practice. The MA in Child and Youth Care will equip you with the skills necessary to become a leader in the profession and to advance the field of child and youth care to internationally accepted standards of best practice.

As a graduate of this programme, you will have a specialised knowledge of child development, risk and resilience; will appreciate and advocate the rights approach to the care of children and youth; and will be in a position to develop empirically-based intervention programmes for children and young people. The programme will promote a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to the care of the young, and will make a significant contribution to the move from crisis-based approaches to early intervention and prevention of problems.