FdA Working with Children and Families

You will cover the following topics:

Level 4

• Perspectives in Human Development
• Professional Skills with Children, Young People, Families and Communities
• Social and Political Influences on Policy and Practice
• Play and Creative Development in Diverse Contexts
• Cultural and Historical Influences on Children, Young People and Families
• An Introduction to Practitioner Research

Level 5

• Researching and Evaluating Practice
• Crime and Conflict
• Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-oppressive Practice (with work based learning)
• The Internet, Media and Society
• Identity, Personality and Social Justice
• Innovative Approaches to Working with Children and Families

This course includes a wide variety of assessment methods aimed at building your subject knowledge, academic and professional skills. Assessments methods include essays; multiple choice questionnaires; individual and group presentations; presentation of a portfolio of work-based learning evidence and reflection; creation of an academic poster and a blog; and you will also take part in a creative ‘story sack’ group project. The course includes mandatory work experience of 30 hrs at level 4 and 80 hrs at level 5. All assessment methods have been designed to support you in developing a wide range of skills.

The mandatory placement aspect of the course (50-70 hours a year) allows you to explore a range of roles in the workforce relevant to working with children and families. Through placement you can build professional networks to enhance your future employability.

Career options are varied, ranging from work in schools and other settings, to family support roles within a range of organisations. You can also progress onto the BA (Hons) Working with Children and Families (Top-Up) at Bury College University Centre.

Taught in collaboration with the University of Cumbria

The University of Cumbria is fully committed to delivering exceptional and professional higher-level learning to meet the demands of an ever-evolving workforce and emerging markets. They do this by expanding opportunities, deepening connections to industries while equipping all students with the ability to thrive wherever in the world they choose to live. With a proud history of offering arts, business, law, policing, science, conservation, sport, health, social care, rehab and teacher training programmes to people nationwide, the institution ranked 1st in the UK for the quality of its education according to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2020. It enriches people by providing a safe and supportive environment, as well as innovative academic opportunities, such as providing degree apprenticeships, CPD and foundation courses through further education partners, making the impossible possible for more students.

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Positive Futures is a set of essential qualities, embedded throughout your study programme, that we seek to develop in all students: 

• Commitment
• Collaboration
• Confidence
• Resilience

You will also engage in the Positive Futures Careers Programme, developing key employability skills through a diverse range of activities including work placements, volunteering, employer talks, industry study visits and employment and university fairs.

80 UCAS tariff Points or equivalent in a Level 3 Qualification. Applicants should also have five GCSEs at grade 9-4 (A*-C) including English. The University Centre will also consider applicants who have passed a Kitemarked Access to Higher Education course (equivalent to 80 UCAS points). If you do not have the standard entry requirements but have relevant work experience or an alternative qualification you may still be eligible for the course. You may be required to attend for an interview or assessment. All students will be required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure from the DBS Service in order to undertake the required placement elements of the course.

The majority of students will be able to access a Tuition Fee Loan from Student Finance England to pay their HE Course Fee.

Self-funding students may pay in 3 instalments in September (25%), January (25%) and April (50%).

Course Fee: £8,250.00 per year