FOUNDATION DEGREE IN WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
Level 5

This programme is ideal for anyone who wants to make a difference to the lives of children, young people and families. The programme will develop the knowledge and skills you need for a career across a range of professional areas, or for entry into further postgraduate study. This programme has a number of distinguishing features including: an emphasis on interdisciplinary working; employability; internationalisation; research skills and social justice. A Foundation Degree programme in Working with Children and Families offers learners the opportunity to achieve a nationally recognised qualification that offers both career progression and professional development for those already in employment in the Working with Children and Families sectors and those learners that are looking for future employment and careers in the sectors. This Foundation Degree work-related programme of study is designed to cover the key knowledge, understanding and practical skills required in the health and social care sectors. The programme facilitates opportunities for learners to apply their knowledge and practical skills in the workplace; full-time learners have the opportunity to do this through formal voluntary work placements or part-time employment experience .

Duration - 2 years full time studied 2 days a week
Start Date - 13/09/2021
Study Mode - FT
Interview required - Yes

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have successfully gained a minimum of 96-112 UCAS tariff points* From qualifications such as:

A minimum of 2 A Levels
BTEC National Extended Diploma/Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma
Level 3 NVQ
*Other qualifications or relevant life/work experience may also be considered.
Successful interview, supported by personal statement and portfolio, and suitable reference.
All applicants will additionally require GCSE English at Grade C or equivalent. Mathematics at GCSE Grade C will also be desirable.
Non-native English speakers or those who have not studied the final two years of school in English must be able to demonstrate a capability in English at a standard commensurate with IELTS 6.0, with a minimum of 5.5 being awarded on individual sections.

The following additional requirements apply for entry to this programme:
If you are offered a place we require you to comply with an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background clearance check.

Progression - Build your future

The children’s workforce and social care services include; early years, education, social care, health and wellbeing, sport and culture, youth work, community work, crime and justice. Within each of these sectors there are employers who provide statutory services, voluntary and charitable services and private services. This provides you with a wide range of employment options. Our recent graduates have gone on to work in a wide variety of these organisations as front line staff and project managers. As a result of studying this programme you may also want to progress onto a the Top Up in Working with Children and Families.

Exam and Assessment

Southport College will also comply with the University of Cumbria Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy 2017-22 and the HPSS Assessment Strategy 2016-2020, our assessment methods:

Are designed to provide a creative and balanced strategy across the programme enabling students to evidence excellence in knowledge, skills and application to practice
Provide a range of engaging and challenging opportunities
Enable the valid testing of the programme learning outcomes
Enable progression in each style of assessment task from one level to the next
Are matched to specific module contents and outcomes
Are designed as to avoid the ‘bunching’ of submission deadlines
Promote the concept of ‘assessment for learning’ to enable the development of independent and autonomous thinkers
Provide a relevant and practicable workload for both students and staff which enables anonymous marking and timely feedback with attention to type, volume and frequency of assessment tasks
Are relevant to the needs of the workplace, allowing for authentic assessment and effective feedback to enable student success.

Qualification & Awarding Body

Qualification: FDA Working with Children and Families

Awarded by: University of Cumbria

More about the course

Interdisciplinary working: Each module explores how different professions would approach the area under study –supported by an interdisciplinary programme team including child care professionals; psychologists, youth workers, teachers. Wherever possible you are provided with opportunities to learn alongside students on other professional programmes enabling interprofessional learning. These features equip you with the knowledge, understanding, skills and experience to work in contemporary integrated practice settings.

Employability: The programme offers an excellent introduction to the wider children’s workforce and social care arena, the types of work within it and career routes that lie ahead. This keeps your career options open throughout the degree. You will gain a firm understanding of human development, issues of social justice, interdisciplinary professional practice and global perspectives. This provides a strong foundation to pursue careers across the workforce and supporting people at all ages and stages of their lives. There are modules dedicated to professional skill development and opportunities to engage with the real world of work ensuring that you are confident in your career choice at the end of the foundation degree or you may choose to continue onto the BA(Hons) Working with Children and Families level 6 Top up also delivered here in Southport College.