Children, Young People and Families

The FdA Children, Young People and Families focuses on the 0-19 agenda, and has been designed to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills in order to ensure that families, children and young people are supported to the highest possible standards.

This Foundation Degree is aimed at those with a desire to work in the children, young people and families sector, in areas such as family support, early help, pastoral work, children with special educational needs, youth justice or youth work, to name but a few. It is appealing to those who are already employed in the field, looking to gain qualifications, or progress into other roles such as teaching and social work. It is also designed for those looking to develop and follow a career working with children, young people and families.

Students are required to undertake a minimum of 200 hours of work-based learning in a suitable vocational placement within the children and families sector. This opportunity adds value by giving students the opportunity to apply learning to practice, whilst developing additional employment skills. Work-based learning is underpinned by personal and professional development modules. All of this allows students to develop their understanding of reflective practice, which is essential for continued professional development.

Our links with local partners have enabled us to work in partnership, to understand local needs and to tailor the course accordingly, ensuring our students graduate with the right skills, knowledge and understanding, to gain employment within the children, young people and families’ sector.

The course content focuses on the 0-19 agenda and has been designed to provide a holistic curriculum that equips students with the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure that families, children and young people are supported to the highest possible standards. Core foundation knowledge is developed through exploring topics such as safeguarding, legislation and policy, with an opportunity for students to develop analytical skills. Values and professional codes of practice are explored within modules such as Equality and Diversity and Youth Support. Modules such as Social Policy and the Welfare State and Sociology and Contemporary British Society ensure that students develop a wider understanding of societal factors that can impact on children and families, with theoretical perspectives underpinning all module teaching.

The team have extensive experience in their chosen field and has a wide range of professional backgrounds, with some still working in industry alongside their teaching role. The programme leader for the course aims to forge good working relationships with local employers to identify positive experiences for students, and opportunities for guest speakers and additional training. On completion, there are opportunities to progress onto top-up courses to achieve a Bachelor's degree or explore graduate-level employment in your chosen career pathway. The full and part-time options for study allow for flexibility and freedom of choice with your studies and cater for individual needs.

The following modules are studied at Level 4 and 5. All modules are mandatory.

Level 4
Preparing to be a Professional
Research and Study Skills
Children and Young People’s Rights and Safeguarding
Lifespan Development
Social Policy and the Welfare State
Children and Young People’s Wellbeing

Level 5
Continuing Professional Development
Research Skills for Practice
Equality, Diversity and Anti-Oppressive Practice
Sociology and Contemporary British Society
Partnerships and Integrated Working
Youth Support

Assessment methods are designed to align with practice and real-life scenarios and have been recognised by external stakeholders as good practice. This ensures that a breadth of skills is developed whilst learning.
Assessment methods are:

Level 4
Portfolio
Essays
Research Presentation
Case Study
Report
Poster Presentation
Group Practical Task

Level 5
Personal Achievement Portfolio
Professional mock interview
Research proposal
Group campaign
Literature review
Reports
Group Media Publication
Multi-agency Meeting
Reflective Essay