School
Children, Young People and Families
UCAS tariff points
96-120
Years of Entry
2024
Location
Main Campus (Horsforth)
Study abroad
Yes
Study Mode
Full time (3 years)

Course overview

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of children and their families?

Working with Children, Young People and Families addresses the increasing demands faced by contemporary families, such as the effects of social media, poverty, social injustice, safeguarding issues and changing family structures.

The Student Contract

About this course

In the UK today, research indicates that a high proportion of children live in circumstances of unmet needs. The financial cost of addressing these needs can be reduced if addressed preventatively. Equally, if parents are unsupported this can have a 'knock-on' impact for children and young people’s development and future outcomes. The importance of supporting the ‘whole’ family has clear implications for practitioners and the government alike. 

This programme will equip you with the ability to understand what effective practice with families looks like and consider the difficulties and challenges of working with children and families, including recognising and challenging social injustices, valuing and respecting diversity and investigating the impact of social and family policy. 

You’ll study aspects of child development, looking at how society understands the concept of family and the rights of children. You’ll also look at the complex issue of safeguarding children, considering as a practitioner the current law and policy initiatives to understand how we can protect children. 

We’ll explore the range of problems that families can face while children are growing up, examining not only the approaches needed to support and empower families, but also the range of skills and therapeutic interventions needed for families.

Throughout your course, you’ll have the opportunity to visit professional practitioners in a range of settings to support your knowledge and understanding of concepts.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have developed the key professional skills needed for assessing and intervening in children’s lives and an understanding of the complexities of multi-agency working.

Why study with us?

  • Get hands-on practical experience of how children, youth and family services work when you complete professional work placements as part of your degree.
  • Learn from the experts. Our lecturers are active researchers and experienced practitioners, with extensive experience in the field of child and family work.
  • Develop the skills and knowledge to enter a wide range of professional roles in child, youth and family work.

Course Modules

You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Year 1

During your first year, you will study five core modules.

Introduction to Social Policy and Work with Families (core)

Get an introduction to the perspectives on childhood that have shaped UK social policy.

We'll highlight key trends and legislation and look at the changing relationship between the state, parents/carers and children.

We'll discuss the impact of social policy in particular contexts, such as children in care and youth justice.

You'll explore socially constructed concepts of childhood and the foundations of contemporary work with children and families.

We'll also cover the importance of a systematic and values-based approach.

Sociology and Psychology of Childhood (core)

Get an introduction to fundamental concepts used in social sciences and childhood studies.

You'll use basic analytical tools from sociology, family studies and childhood studies to study the national and international context of children, young people, families and communities.

Safeguarding and Child Protection (core)

Explore safeguarding and protecting children.

You'll consider current legislation and policy along with relevant current research findings.

You'll engage with current procedures and understand the frameworks practitioners are expected to operate within.

We'll make specific reference to the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the current statutory frameworks.

You'll learn the different categories of abuse and develop the expertise outlined in current policies and legislation.

Ethics, social justice and cultural differences will be a theme running through this study.

Health and Wellbeing (core)

You’ll examine the concept of health including its contribution to wellbeing, using theory and research to explore factors that have both a positive and negative impact on family health.

You’ll learn the contribution of health education and health promotion, and identify positive approaches that facilitate family health improvements.

Academic Skills, Personal and Professional Development (core)

In the first semester, you'll get to know about university and academic life at Leeds Trinity University.

You'll develop self-confidence, motivation and team-working skills.

Find out about different kinds of assignments and grading criteria.

We'll also teach you how to reference your work and show you how we check for plagiarism.

You'll develop your time management, critical thinking, digital and independent study skills, and find out how to make the most of your tutors.

In the second semester, we'll focus on your personal and professional development.

You'll consider ethical, sustainability and social justice issues related to work.

You'll develop employability, digital, and money management skills.

Find out about local, regional, national and global issues relevant to the professional sector.

Plan for your future career and development, and improve your study skills and module marks.

Year 2

During your second year, you will study five core modules.

Families and Society (core)

Develop an understanding of the social context and evolution of families.

We'll frame understandings of how different forms of family life now feature in our society.

You'll look at the internal development of family life and how family members share life together.

You'll also explore how the family adapts to its social environment, primarily thinking about work.

This module will broadly reflect the well-established discipline of the sociology of families.

Violence in the Family: Addressing Needs and Risks (core)

Consider the impact that violence in the family has on the person experiencing it and on others living in the household, including children and young people.

You'll explore and analyse different theories and responses to this social problem.

You'll learn about family violence in the context of culture and ethnicity, and across the life course, from babies to the elderly.

You'll also look at the professional responses to addressing needs and risks, and make links between theory and practice in the national and international context.

Research Methods and Evidence Based Practice (core)

Explore a series of research methods, including their key features, usefulness and application in different contexts.

You'll critically examine research methodologies, with an emphasis on ethical research conduct.

You'll evaluate the usefulness of research methodologies to explore specific research questions, problems and designs.

You'll reflect on ethical issues relating to children, families, communities and professional settings.

You'll understand how to design, conduct and write up research, and understand the relationship between research, policy and practice.

Professional Placement (core)

There are three stages to the module - preparation, work placement and reflection.

You'll have workshops to develop your employability skills, analyse your career prospects and go through the practicalities of getting and undertaking a professional placement.

You'll complete a short weekly reflective log reflecting upon the practical skills gained through your placement experience and what you have learnt about applying theoretical understanding in practice.

Multi-Agency Working (core)

We'll introduce concepts of leadership to the multi-professional integrated workforce involved in building a health, educational and welfare team around the child.

We'll focus on working in partnership with parents as children's first educators, supporting the home learning environment, and listening to and working in collaboration with young children.

You'll consider approaches to leadership and the impact of leadership on team working.

You'll explore the challenges and constraints around multi-agency working and appraise the benefits to the child, family and society in the context of cultural differences, ethical approaches and social justice.

You'll look at the way professionals within education, social care and other sectors, work together for the benefit of children and families.

Year 3

During your final year, you will study four core modules.

Difficulties Families Face with Therapeutic Interventions (core)

Explore problems contemporary families may face and the service support available locally and nationally, focussing on parental empowerment.

You'll critique the role of the government and the conflict between family rights and state intervention.

We'll then look at therapeutic support for families.

You'll study therapeutic interventions and associated theoretical approaches.

You'll make links between theory and practice, looking at research from national and international perspectives.

Reflective Practice, Lifelong Learning and Employability (core)

Develop your knowledge, skills and understanding of professional development and lifelong learning.

You'll explore approaches designed to equip individuals for lifelong learning and encourage their professional development.

You'll explore relevant theories including philosophical perspectives underpinning positive approaches to experiential learning.

You'll develop and demonstrate effective communication skills and the ability to evaluate holistically your progression in practical and academic understanding.

Inequality and Social Justice (core)

Gain a critical understanding of families through their social context, with a particular focus on the difficulties of ordinary families in meeting material needs and moral obligations.

You’ll analyse and assess issues around inequalities including gender, ethnic inequalities and social class disparities. You’ll also consider specific social issues around topics including job insecurity and in-work poverty.

Research Project (core)

Complete an independent investigation or undertake a work-based project.

You'll apply the principles and practices introduced in the Research Methods module at Level 5.

You'll get the opportunity to extend your engagement with employers.

Once you have identified an area of inquiry, you can do a practical investigation, theoretical study or work-based project in negotiation with an employer.

You'll inform your investigation or project with a selected literature review and gather evidence with due regard to ethical concerns and international contexts, where appropriate.

Professional work placements

Experience matters. That's why we include professional work placements with every undergraduate degree.

How does it work?

Careers and Placements will work with you to find your perfect placement or help you arrange your own, whether that's in Leeds, another part of the UK or even abroad. You will be able to take part in a series of workshops, events and live ‘employer challenges’ to boost your confidence and prepare you for your placement.

During your placement, you will have an opportunity to gain degree-relevant work experience, build your knowledge of career sectors and secure valuable employer references and industry contacts. This experience will help you to shape your career decisions and find the right path for you.

Our students have worked as family support workers, learning mentors and teaching assistants in settings including children and youth centres, police domestic violence units, youth offending teams, special educational needs, schools, nurseries, social services and charities both in the UK and overseas.

To find out how we can help you make your career ambitions a reality, visit:

Professional Work Placements

Learning and Teaching

At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and provide you with the tools and support to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional potential.

Our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy delivers excellence by providing the framework for:

  • high quality teaching
  • an engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
  • a clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study.

We have a strong reputation for developing student employability, supporting your development towards graduate employment, with relevant skills embedded throughout your programme of study.

We endeavour to develop curiosity, confidence, courage, ambition and aspiration in all students through the key themes in our Learning and Teaching Strategy:

  • Student Involvement and Engagement
  • Inclusion
  • Integrated Programme and Assessment Experience
  • Digital Literacy and Skills
  • Employability and Enterprise

To help you achieve your potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and real-world activities. This approach ensures that you fully engage in shaping your own learning, developing your critical thinking and reflective skills so that you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape your own development.

We believe the secret to great learning and teaching is simple: it is about creating an inclusive learning experience that allows all students to thrive through:

  • Personalised support
  • Expert lecturers
  • Strong connections with employers
  • An international outlook
  • Understanding how to use tools and technology to support learning and development

Programme delivery

Your time on campus, learning through in-person teaching, is at the heart of your academic experience and the way we deliver our programmes. This is supported and further enhanced by additional engagement activities and opportunities provided online and through digital teaching materials. This blended approach seeks to ensure a positive learning and teaching student experience.

Your programme of study has been carefully designed around a three-phase model of delivery:

  1. Preparation: You will be given clear tasks to support you in preparing for live teaching. This could include watching a short-pre-recorded lecture, reading a paper or text chapter or preparing other material for use in class.
  2.  Live: All your live teaching will be designed around active learning, providing you with valuable opportunities to build on preparation tasks, interact with staff and peers, and surface any misunderstandings.
  3. Post: Follow-up activities will include opportunities for you to check understanding, for staff to receive feedback from you and your peers to inform subsequent sessions, and for you to apply learning to new situations or context.

Preparation, Live and Post teaching and learning and the digital materials used will vary by course, but will be designed to help you structure your learning, take a full and active part in your course, and apply and test your developing knowledge and skills.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used, matched to the learning outcomes for your programme, allowing you to apply and demonstrate the full range of knowledge and skills that you have developed.

For more details on specific assessment methods for this course contact hello@leedstrinity.ac.uk

Entry Requirements

Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits; we value highly the experience you illustrate in your personal statement.

Information about the large range of qualifications we accept, including A-Levels, BTECs and T Levels, can be found on our entry requirements page. If you need additional advice or are taking qualifications that are not covered in the information supplied, please contact our Admissions Office.

Entry requirements for this course:
QualificationGrade
UCAS tariff96-120
GCSE requirementsGCSE English Language or English Literature at grade C or 4 (or higher) will be required

Fees and finance

Funding

UK Home Students:

Tuition fees cost £9,250 a year for this course in 2024/2025.

Part-time tuition fees will be prorated accordingly to the number of credits you're studying.

Depending on government policy, tuition fees may change in future years.

Tuition fees for 2025/26 entry will be set in summer 2024.

Living costs, e.g. accommodation, travel, food, will also need to be taken into consideration.

Leeds Trinity offers a range of bursaries and scholarships to help support students while you study.

International Students, including EU Students:

Visit our webpage for international students.

Part-time study is not available for international students on a Student Route Visa. 

Additional costs

We advise students that there may be additional course costs in addition to annual tuition fees:

  • Recommended and required reading lists will be provided at the start of your course. All the books and e-books are available from our Library to borrow but you may choose to purchase your own.
  • On some courses there may be additional costs, such as field trips, equipment, accreditations, that may be part-funded by the University. More details will be provided at the start of the course.
  • You'll need to include placement/s travel and associated costs too, however the University will contribute a standard amount towards your total expenditure.
  • The University provides students with a £6 printing credit each academic year which can be topped up either on campus or online.

How to apply

For full-time undergraduate courses, you apply through UCAS. That's the University and Colleges Admissions Service.

On your application form, you'll need to know our institution code - it's L24 - and the course code. If you click through to the UCAS website using the button below, it'll take you to the right place with all the information you need.

You'll need to write a personal statement - we've prepared a guide to help you.

You can now apply for 2024 entry. The UCAS application deadline for courses starting in September 2024 is 31 January 2024.

If you require a Student Route Visa in order to study in the UK, then you must meet all the conditions of your offer and present all supporting documentation required for the visa application no later than Friday 26 July 2024.

There's lots more information about the application process on the UCAS website, or you can get in touch with our admissions team who will be happy to help:

Graduate opportunities

Providing you with the opportunity to develop the professional skills and experience you need to launch your career is at the heart of everything we do at Leeds Trinity University.

Our graduates are working in areas including youth services, police domestic violence units, educational settings, charities, therapeutic services, childcare settings and on youth offending teams. You may choose to pursue a career as a family support worker or undertake postgraduate research. Graduates from this course have gone on to train as social workers by studying for an MA Social Work degree, or via a Social Work Apprenticeship or fast track social work route.

After you graduate, Careers and Placements will help you as you pursue your chosen career through our mentoring scheme, support with CV and interview preparation and access to graduate employability events.

To find out how we can help you make your career ambitions a reality, visit:

Careers

Chat with our students

Do you want to find out more about studying at Leeds Trinity University?

Ask our Student Ambassadors about what it’s like to be part of the Leeds Trinity University community, chat to them about your course(s) of interest and hear more about their Leeds Trinity University student experience.

Chat with our students

Foundation degrees

If you already work with children, young people and families and are looking to gain a higher education qualification we also offer foundation degrees. These are work-based learning degrees, specifically designed to fit alongside your current work and other commitments, and offer an alternative route to studying for a degree.

Learn more about Foundation degrees

What is Discover Uni?

Discover Uni is the official, authoritative source of information and guidance on higher education in the UK. The website allows you to search for and compare data and information on university and college programmes from across the UK.

It helps you make sense of all the information out there by linking to other quality resources and explaining what can be found where. It also allows you to search for and compare information and data for individual undergraduate courses across the UK.

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