Course content

The course provides an introduction to psychosocial work with children and adolescents, emphasizing how their psychosocial development is shaped through interaction with family, local community, and society. Focus is placed on communication, relationship-building, and various methods and approaches that promote participation, coping, and inclusion. Students gain insight into interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration, and how to develop strong relationships with different actors involved with children and young people. The course also highlights how resources in children’s environments can

Learning outcome

Knowledge - The student has

• Extended knowledge of how the psychosocial behavior of children and adolescents develops through interaction with their surroundings and society
• In-depth knowledge of communication, various methods, and approaches in psychosocial work with children and adolescents
• Knowledge of relationship-building and the significance of relationships
• Solid knowledge of interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration, and how to create and engage in fruitful relationships with various actors involved with children and young people

Skills - The student

• Can identify and gather children’s and adolescents’ experiences and challenges in interaction with their environment
• Can apply communication skills that foster relationships, participation, and coping when working with children and adolescents
• Can apply knowledge of different approaches, activities, and methodologies in work with children and adolescents in collaboration with colleagues and with the children and adolescents themselves

General Competence - The student

• Has knowledge and skills to map, identify, and strengthen resources in children’s living environments
• Can apply knowledge and skills to achieve a holistic understanding of and interaction with children and adolescents

Learning methods and activities

The course is online and has no fixed teaching schedule. This allows students to access digital learning resources whenever it suits them. It also makes it possible for students to work while studying.

Learning methods include videos, recorded lectures presenting theoretical content, podcasts, exercises, quizzes, and self-study of the syllabus literature.

Students will be encouraged to share experiences and real-life challenges with fellow students. This will take place in small groups and will be organized and conducted digitally within the group.

Throughout the course, there will be assignments and mandatory tasks to complete and submit to the instructor. There will be four mandatory tasks submitted as part of a portfolio. These tasks, together with a final reflection, constitute the portfolio exam for the course.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

Experience working with children and adolescents, preferably while employed in such work during the course of study.

Required previous knowledge

The student must have general university admission qualifications (GSK) and at least two years of experience in direct work with children and adolescents, for example from kindergarten, school, health or social services, institutions, voluntary work, or similar.

Course materials

Literature will be presented in Canvas at the start of the course.

Course materials will be made available continuously in Canvas.