Working with Children, Young People and Families

Build your skills to support and work effectively with children, young people and families. You'll learn how to support people to achieve their full potential.

As part of this course, you'll:

• Develop the skills and knowledge to support and safeguard vulnerable children and young people

• Mix academic study with work related learning to gain practical skills and experience to support you in accessing a rewarding career

• Hone your communication and therapeutic skills in a safe, controlled environment and reflect on your learning

• Equip yourself with a broad knowledge of topics ranging from child development to domestic violence and serious case reviews

• Learn about the different policies and frameworks underpinning practice in children, young people and family contexts, including child in need, family support and safeguarding

• Dive into psychological, sociological and trauma informed theories and approaches

• Study current and relevant issues that frequently make headline news, such as child poverty, mental health and intimate partner violence

On this course, your studies begin with a clear focus on local contexts. As you progress, you'll gain the skills to address national and global issues and discover the complexities and interconnectedness of contemporary society.

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Hands-on experience
You'll practise your counselling and therapeutic techniques in simulated environments and take part in small group sessions to enhance your communication and negotiating skills. You'll also get the opportunity to apply your practice and legal knowledge to real life case studies.

Work related learning opportunities
You'll further enhance your expertise and bolster your career networks and prospects through work related learning opportunities, available in a range of children, young people and family contexts. You'll choose your own work related learning according to your interests, enabling you to enhance and develop a bespoke CV and be ready for the workplace upon graduation.

A rewarding future
With your broad academic grounding, practical experience and professional connections, you'll be prepared for a richly rewarding but challenging career supporting children, young people and families.

Global opportunities
The course takes a global outlook in your final year. We'll explore the impact of globalisation on local practice as you learn to look further and link macro context to micro practice.

Study options
You'll share some modules with students from related courses, promoting multidisciplinary working and enabling you to learn about different areas of practice.

After you complete your first year, you'll have the opportunity to transfer to our BSc (Hons) Social Care, Justice and Recovery course. If you choose to transfer, you won't need to repeat any modules.

Why study the BA Working with Children, Young People and Families course at Leeds Beckett University?

• 100% of students on BA (Hons) Working with Children, Young People & Families were positive about the way teaching staff explain things*

• Fantastic work related learning opportunities - enhance your expertise, build a network and grow your experience working with local services

• Access specialist facilities - including simulated sessions to support the development of your essential skills prior to real-world practice

• Learn from experts - further your understanding of children, young people, families and communities, guided by active practitioners and staff who engage in continuous research

• Build your understanding and knowledge of local authorities and organisations - you'll be guided by tutors who have significant experience and developed professional networks

*National Student Survey 2025