Welcome

“Thank you for your interest in the Working with Children and Families Department! Whatever the status of your application, I hope the following information will help prepare you for future studies in Working with Children and Families, maybe even help you decide that Bury College University Centre is the place for you.”

Sarah Morris - Programme Lead

Sarah writes, develops, delivers, and supports and mentors on FdA Teaching Assistants, BA (Hons) Supporting Teaching and Learning, and BA (Hons) Working with Children and Families.

Sarah’s qualifications include;

  • PGCE (Level 7) - Lifelong Learning in-service, from University of Huddersfield
  • A.: Early Childhood Studies, University of Huddersfield
  • Early Years Teacher Status (ITT): Early Years, University of Huddersfield
  • A. (Honours): Early Years, University of Huddersfield
  • Foundation Degree: Early Years, University of Huddersfield
  • Level 5: Leadership and Management, Institute of Leadership & Management

 

Why choose university study?

For those still thinking about their options, our current students have provided some reasons why they chose to pursue a university education:

  • Better earning potential
  • Greater opportunities to broaden your skills, knowledge to take into future employment
  • Flexible learning to fit around you
  • Build up contacts for your future careers
  • Develop transferable skills you can use in your future career
  • Meet new friends, new lecturers, and new people who are interested in the same industries you are

 

Modules and course information

This degree, which is awarded by the University of Cumbria and taught at Bury College University Centre, is aimed at people wanting to work with children, young people and families. It covers a wide range of issues affecting children and families in today’s society. Each of the modules provides a secure grounding in issues for all professionals working in multi-agency contexts with children and their carers.

The course is validated by the University of Cumbria, and we have been running the course for around 7 years now. The course covers a wide scope of issues, and takes you through the lifespan of working with children and families. Those with a childcare background who want to branch out will benefit from this breadth of study. Distinguishing features of the course include the emphasis on interdisciplinary working, employability, internationalisation, research skills and social justice/policy.

Modules you may study include:

Level 4 – first year

  • 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 – second year

  • 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

Level 6 – third year

  • Enabling Practice and Empowerment for Communities
  • Outdoor Environments and Experiential Learning
  • Supporting Health and Wellbeing
  • Extended Professional Practice Report: Dissertation
  • Employability, Progression and Leadership

As part of the Personal/Professional Development modules you will undertake placements in a variety of settings, this could be paid or voluntary work. This varies by year but is between 50 and 70 hours.

Across the course, the modules will present different ways of working, and allow you to gain a variety of skills. There are three modules per semester, and two semesters in an academic year, so six modules total.

 

How you will be assessed

Each module will require you to complete a summative assessment, which can vary in its challenges. Some assessments might be a straight-forward 3000-word essay, but most modules have a mixed model. For example, play and creative developments is about working with others, and there is an element of groupwork to produce a practical resource that will be aimed at children, young people or families, as well as a small written portfolio.

Other assessment methods might include:

  • Essays
  • Systematic literature review
  • Workplace reflections
  • Dissertations
  • Bid writing tasks
  • Conference style presentations
  • Academic posters
  • Reports
  • Story sacks
  • Ethics proposals
  • Intervention design and evaluation
  • Case study work

 

Skills that will help you in your university career

We are looking to ensure that by the time our students finish their course, they are:

  • Enquiring and open to change
  • Self-reliant, adaptable and flexible
  • Capable of working well with others
  • Able to manage their own time and development
  • A leader of people and places
  • Ambitious
  • Confident in their digital skills
  • A global citizen
  • Confident in their discipline and how it changes over time
  • Community-minded

 

Career opportunities

Past students on this course have gone into a variety of roles and future destinations, including:

  • A job in the prison service
  • The Frontline Social Work training programme
  • MA in Social Work at Salford University
  • Safeguarding Team
  • PGCE

 

What our students say

Hear from past and current students!

Ricci said, “Tutors are really supportive… and the course has shown me so many potential careers that I want to explore.”

Jhelita said, “I am looking forward to see what the future holds; I am so glad I chose Bury College University Centre.”

Ezekiel said, “The degree is opening up so many future career pathways for me to study, e.g. social worker, teaching, and working in the social sector.”

 

Get in contact

Our friendly staff are happy to answer any questions you may have about your course or the University Centre. We can also put you in contact with your course tutor for a chat. Please email victoria.rowcroft@burycollege.ac.uk with any queries.