Child and Family Studies

Run in association with the University of Bedfordshire, this degree-level course gives you a comprehensive understanding of child and family situations and drawing on knowledge and theory from the fields of psychology, childhood development, working with families and professional skills and practice.

The course allows you to continue your employment in a relevant childcare setting and develop your practice on a theoretical and practical level.

This course will help you gain an in-depth understanding of the essential aspects of child development and welfare and equip you with the skills required to provide high-quality services for children, young people and families.

Their rights, and the belief that they have equal access to services and life opportunities regardless of social difference, feature strongly throughout the course. You will apply knowledge to current practice.

Your studies will have a strong vocational orientation, with ‘real’ practice issues informing the curriculum and your work. You will be expected to be employed or volunteering with children or young people for a minimum of 14 hours per week. You will have a work based mentor to support you with your studies over the next two years. The course is set within the context of current events, research legislation and policy.

You will also be given opportunities for undertaking research in preparation for your independent project, as well as enjoying the practical experience of working with children, young people and families. Underpinning the course is the belief that children, young people and their families have rights and should have equal access to services and opportunities, regardless of social difference.

Valuing the potential and the qualities of children and young people are also guiding principles. We are working alongside the Sector Skills Council to provide this Foundation degree, which has been designed to equip you with the up-to-date knowledge and skills you will need to be an effective and successful practitioner in the field of Child and Family studies.

You will learn through a variety of different methods including practical work during your course to develop your skills and gain the necessary knowledge to assess occupational competence in the work environment. Your course is linked to the National Occupational Standards (NOS) and includes units from this standard.

The objectives of the Foundation degree in Child and Family Studies are to:
Develop extensive knowledge and skills in all areas of child development and child care service provision.
Understand various related theoretical perspectives and how these are linked to and inform policy and practice in the area of childcare.
Draw out, develop reflective skills and extend learning from the work place experiences and activities.
Develop a sound working knowledge of childcare legislation and current government policy and initiatives.
Initiate and carry out independent child care research activities.
Develop skills in critically analysing theories, policy, planning and practice in the child care arena.
Relate theory to practice and reflect on practice through utilisation of the students own experiences gained from existing practice in the field of childcare.
Become reflective practitioners with good self-awareness and ability to transfer knowledge and skills to different specialist areas of child service provision.
Your assessments throughout this course will keep you on track to achieve; these could include observations, examinations, assignment tasks and a portfolio of evidence to support your learning.

Your Study Programme includes valuable additions to help you succeed!

You will have a regular 1:1 appointment with highly qualified and experienced Childcare professionals who will help you to manage your workload, give you valuable feedback and ensure that you meet College expectations.

Year 1

Introduction to Working with Children, Young People and Families in Practice (work integrated learning unit)
Introduction to Academic study and Work Based Learning (work based learning unit)
Understanding the Human Services
Law, Society and Controversy

Year 2

Perceptions and Discourses of Childhood
Researching Child and Family Practice (work based project)
Multi-Agency Working
Child welfare: Perspectives on and approaches to risk assessment
Management and applied experience within a Work based learning environment (work integrated activity)

Observation
Reflection
Essay and report writing
Presentations