FdA Childhood, Youth and Families in Practice

This work-based Foundation Degree program combines practice-based learning and campus-based teaching sessions once a week, allowing you to continue working or volunteering throughout the course. Throughout the two-year program, you will integrate your previous experience working with children, young people, and families into your studies.

In your first year, you will study learning principles as an introduction to higher education and analyze the complex link between practice and meeting the needs of children, young people, and families. As you go through the second year, you will study modules on inclusion, informal learning, and voice. The program increases knowledge and understanding of how children and young people learn and mature. You will explore new ways of working and challenge existing assumptions. You can collaborate with students from other related courses who work in various contexts, such as early childhood and formal education, to broaden your perspectives on working with children, young people, and families.

This course is suitable for staff in local authorities, schools, the NHS, voluntary and third sector who use group work, informal learning and activity, outreach, and community work as part of their role, particularly those working with children, young people, and adults often identified as hard to reach. If you want to make a difference in the lives of children, young people, and their families, this is the degree for you.

Typically, a minimum of one year’s experience in practice with a minimum of two days a week (minimum of 12 hours per week accumulating to 360 hours per year of study in a relevant role, either as an employee or a volunteer). In exceptional cases, it might be appropriate to recruit students directly from a Level 3 apprenticeship or another course in which it can be demonstrated that there is a significant element of professional practice.

In such a case, this decision will be based on the suitability of the applicant:

• Typically, a Level 3 Diploma, NVQs, access to HE programs, and subject/vocational qualifications.

• Written support from the head teacher/workplace manager in which the applicant works or volunteers.

20 hours of work permit weekly for international students.