Working with Children and Young People

The Foundation Degree (FdA) operates in partnership with local employers and combines academic knowledge and practical experience, to enable students to support children and young people. A range of themes are covered, including social policy, youth justice, and health and well being, delivered by highly experienced tutors.
Working in the sector offers an opportunity to make a positive impact on both individuals and the wider community, and as such can offer a rewarding career.

You will acquire knowledge and develop skills in areas and disciplines such as: child development, safeguarding, leadership and management, and teamwork.

As a full time student, you will attend one day per week, spend two days in an appropriate setting and use the remaining time for independent study.

Students are generally already in relevant employment, but many students use the Foundation Degree to help secure promotion, or to change career pathway. Previous graduates have progressed to careers in management, SENDCo roles, pastoral work in educational settings, social care and community work, family outreach services and youth justice work.

Graduates may pursue careers across a wide range of roles in the children and young people's sector, including:

Early years practitioner
Nursery manager
Teaching Assistant
Youth worker
Residential support worker
Support worker
Behaviour support worker
Learning mentor

Upon successful completion, students may apply for a place on the BA (Hons) Level 6 Top up Childhood Studies, studied at the University Centre, Stockport College. This is validated and awarded by Sheffield Hallam University. The Foundation Degree is often used by students to help them secure promotion or change career pathways. Graduates have progressed to careers in management, SENDCo roles, pastoral work in educational settings, social care and community work, family outreach services, and youth justice work. Alternatives include progression to professional qualifications, leading to careers in teaching in primary, secondary, or further education.

For further information please contact us by visiting the contact page on the college website.

Although every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained within this document is accurate, there may be changes to this programme and provision. We will endeavour to keep prospective and current students updated where appropriate and when the information becomes available.

On this programme you will study the following modules:

Level 4:

The Reflective Student
The Enabling Practitioner in the 21st Century
Learning and Development
Working Together
Effective Teamwork
Specific Needs

Level 5:

Key Issues in the Lives of Children and Young People
Leadership and Management
Safeguarding in Practice
The Critically Reflective Student
Social Policy for Children and Young People
Research Theory and Practice

A range of assessment methods are used from reports and essays to presentations and portfolios. Typically each unit has two forms of assessment attached to it. Assessments have been carefully designed to support and develop your skills in independent thinking and learning.