Ethics and Social Justice in the Early Years

The Ethics and Social Justice in Early Years module (BAEL08006) will support student exploration regarding the role of practice and policy in the experience of justice and diversity in childhood.  The impact of prejudice, discrimination, and stereotype will be investigated.  Definitions and knowledge of the sociological concepts of poverty, class, gender, race, LGBTQ+, and disability, and their impact and relevance for ethics and justice practices within childhood will be considered. 

Students will focus on the values that underpin policy and practice relevant at the time of delivery.  They will reflect and evaluate on their approach to and impact upon addressing issues of ethics and justice in childhood. 

The students will understand the role of evaluation tools in settings and the role of self-evaluation, professional dialogue and monitoring of practice has in promoting social justice and ethical practices in childhood services. 

At the end of this module the student will be able to:

• Gain knowledge and understanding of the nature of prejudice and discrimination in society and reflect on the effectiveness of legislation and policy to counter its damaging effects
• ​​Reflect on the nature of poverty and social exclusion in relation to government policy on social justice and inclusion
  
• ​​Reflect on the concept of multiple identity and apply the concept to guidance for policy writing in childhood settings
  
• Critically evaluate the practitioner’s own ability to take account of the diverse needs of children when supporting their learning

This is an SCQF Level 8 module and upon successful completion, participants will be awarded 20 credits.

Delivery

The module will be delivered on a blended learning basis on Fridays: 4 weeks at the Lanarkshire campus, other weeks online synchronous. A full timetable will be published in advance of course commencement. 

Course presenter

This module will be delivered by Robert McGill.

Funding 

This course may be available on a fully funded basis to some individuals.  Further details, including regarding eligibility, are available under Funding Support.

If you have any questions, please contact us at cpd@uws.ac.uk

NOTE: This is a university module and upon approval of your application, you will be invited to register and then supported to complete enrolment. To enrol on the university system, the first step involves security set-up using the Microsoft Authenticator app; you will need to ensure that you have a compatible smartphone.

Further information is available at the Student Information Portal.

To access this module via the CPD route, individuals should be ordinarily resident in Scotland.  If you do not meet this criteria, please enquire here.

Graduate Apprenticeship

In addition to being available on a CPD basis, this module is part of our fully funded Graduate Apprenticeship - BA Early Learning and Childcare.

Developed in response to A Blueprint for 2020: The Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare (2017) and Skills Development Scotland’s Skills Investment Plan for Scotland’s Early Learning and Childcare sector (2017), the GA offers a work-based learning route to developing qualified and competent Early Learning and Childcare practitioners.

Modules available through the UWS CPD Centre include:

• Children's Holistic Learning and Development 
• Introduction to Early Childhood Philosophy & Practice 
• Children's Voice 
• Facilitating Children's Play and Pedagogy 
• The Team Around the Child 
• Communication and Literacy in the Early Years 
• Creativity Across the Curriculum 
• Health, Wellbeing Promotion and Safeguarding 
• Leading Learning in Science and Mathematics 
• Observation, Assessment and Reflection 
• Working in a Team 
• Ethics and Social Justice in the Early Years 

For further information, please contact apprenticeships@uws.ac.uk