Working with Children & Families

Embark on a transformative journey dedicated to enhancing the lives of children and families. Gain a deep understanding of the skills and knowledge needed to support children and families effectively in a range of professional settings. This course explores key areas such as child development, family dynamics, safeguarding, and communication strategies, providing a solid foundation for working within education, social services, or community organisations. With a focus on both theoretical knowledge and practical application, you’ll examine the policies and practices that shape this vital sector. Taught by experienced professionals, the course combines academic insight with real-world expertise, preparing you for a meaningful and impactful career.

Any students enrolled on the programme who are in employment within the sector and working with/for children aged from birth to 18 years or their families are able to count their employed experience against the required placement hours.

Course Modules

You will study six modules which include:

• Perspectives in Human Development
• Professional Skills with Children, Young People, Families and Communities
• Social and Political Influences on Policy and Practice
• Play and Creative Development in Diverse Contexts
• Cultural and Historical Influences on Children, Young People and Families
• An Introduction to Practitioner Research

The programme uses a blended learning approach, combining face to face sessions with online and practical work where appropriate. The learning and teaching methods typically used by tutors include lectures, seminars, guest speakers, workshops and tutorials. A significant amount of personal study time is expected to be undertaken by the student, comprising, for example, background reading, assignment work, preparation for seminars and practical case studies. A social learning community including a peer support programme will further enhance this. Assessment tasks are linked to the learning outcomes of each module and are normally completed at the end of the module. Assessment typically consists of practical and theoretical work. Assessment include: portfolio, oral presentation, written work and exams. You will have formative assessment to help you learn and develop your knowledge and skills and summative assessment on which you are graded. Continuous assessment is utilised on the programme. Formative feedback is an ongoing process and is delivered via tutorials, group discussion and peer input. Summative feedback takes place at the end of each semester and you can expect written feedback on your module performance. You are also offered the chance to further discuss the written comments via one-to-one tutorial with the module tutor and/or Programme Leader