Children, Schools & Families (Foundation)

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Children, Schools & Families degree, with a Foundation Entry option, prepares students for work in settings involving children and young people. It combines academic study with real-world experience in areas like education, social work, and child development. Graduates gain a strong grounding in theory, practice, and research methods, making them well-equipped for careers as social workers, early years practitioners, teachers, and other professionals in this field.

Program Outline

BA (Hons) Children, Schools & Families (Graduate Practitioner), (Foundation Entry)

Degree Overview:

This four-year, full-time program is designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree but lack the necessary formal qualifications to directly join an honors program. It provides a solid grounding for a future career in working with children and young people in various settings, including schools, families, and care settings. The program draws on subject areas like education, sociology, psychology, social policy, and social work. It combines observational visits, work shadowing activities, and academic study to ensure students are well-prepared for the workplace. Successful completion guarantees a place on the BA (Hons) Children, Schools and Families (graduate practitioner) degree.

Outline:

Year 0:

• Study skills & Digital Literacy (SWC024): This module helps students develop study skills and digital tools needed for success in the program and future degree-level studies.
It focuses on building confidence in study skills and utilizing digital applications available on the University network.
• Asset-based Community Development (SWC035): This module focuses on asset and arts-based community development concepts and skills.
It considers childhood as a social phenomenon.
• Supporting Well-being and Development (SW1813): This module examines significant classical and contemporary theories of child, adolescent, and adult development.
It explores ecological and socio-cultural influences on development, understanding atypical development, adverse childhood experiences, safeguarding risk factors, social and emotional resilience, and professional responses to support well-being and development.
• Transitions in Children and Young People's Lives (SW1602): This module identifies and examines transitions in children and young people's lives, using theories to explain their effects.
• Professional Practice with Children and Families 1 (CI1109): This module focuses on introducing students to the children and families workforce, covering communication in professional practice, recognizing expected patterns of children's development (0-18), professional in training considerations (codes of conduct, ethics, introductory safeguarding, effective communication, placement settings, health and safety policies, and supervision), and academic and transferable skills (teamwork, academic study skills, library utilization, record keeping, managing personal learning, assignment and report writing, oral presentation skills, and CV building).

Year 2:

• Researching with Children and Young People (CI2501): This module examines research with children and young people by studying key research studies.
Students gain insights into the research process and build their competence and confidence as researchers.
• Diversity and Inclusive Practice (CI2009): This module explores the contested nature of key concepts and terminology in diversity and inclusion, challenges oppressive practices, and promotes understanding of the diverse experiences of different social groups.
It recognizes the interplay between various dimensions of social inequality and investigates the relationship between policy and inclusive practice. It explores the evidence base shaping contemporary safeguarding practice within children's services.
• Professional Practice in Children’s Services 2 (CI2109): This module explores the roles and responsibilities associated with the children and families workforce.
It examines the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of childhood and family life, building understanding of how childhood is socially constructed worldwide. It recognizes and critically discusses the prominence of children, families, and 'youth' in government policies.
• Dissertation (CI3699): This module allows students to undertake independent study in an area of their choosing, focusing on a particular issue relevant to children and young people's lives and services.
Students are guided and supported by a dissertation supervisor to plan, carry out, and write up the project as academic research. Students become advocates for young children's rights and participation, recognizing that young children are active co-constructors of their own learning. They critically apply high-level academic knowledge of pedagogy and research evidence to the holistic development of infants and young children (0-8) in a practice context that respects the child, their family, and community.

Assessment:

Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including essays, content analysis, portfolios, presentations, and workbooks.

Teaching:

The program is taught by an expert team of practicing social workers, researchers, and academic staff with expertise spanning education, social work, sociology, psychology, and social policy. Teaching methods include interactive lectures, seminars, and two full days per week of in-person, 100% face-to-face learning on campus.

Careers:

The Children, Schools & Families Foundation Entry degree is a great first step towards a career working with children, young people, and the services that support them. Potential career paths include:

• Social worker
• Youth worker
• Early years practitioner
• Teacher
• Family support worker
• Childcare worker
• Play therapist
• Educational psychologist

Other:

• Students have the opportunity to complete a Paediatric First Aid certificate and follow the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies (ECGPC) route alongside their degree.
• The program offers excellent support, including a dedicated tutor to oversee progress and provide assistance.
• Placements link learning with real-world experience of working with children, young people, and families.
• Students can explore topics such as disability, gender, drugs, and social pedagogy through optional modules.
• The program has strong industry links, offering placement opportunities in various settings, including schools, youth offending teams, residential care homes, advocacy services, domestic violence centers, early years settings, pupil referral units, and family support services.
• The program is accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).
• Students can gain work experience through the University's Centre for Volunteering and Community Leadership.

2024/25

UK

First year: £9,250 Full-time: £9,250 per year

International

First year: £16,400 Full-time: £16,500 per year