Working with Children, Young People and Families BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  The University of Northampton’s degree in Working with Children, Young People and Families has been designed to contribute towards achieving the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG3 Good Health and Wellbeing and SDG4 Quality Education.

  This course produces graduates who can address gaps in provision and improve the services available to children, young people, their families and the wider community. Our staff (and external visitors) are experienced in the fields of childhood and youth studies, health, law, therapy, education, business and social care. Your studies cover the whole spectrum of working with children, young people and families.

  This course will help you to:

  • develop knowledge and understanding of children, young people and families within diverse cultural, inter-disciplinary and multi-professional contexts
  • acquire a critical understanding of relevant theory and research in the field of children, young people and families and equip you with the skills for independent investigation
  • critically analyse contemporary issues and debates in policy, practice and services for children, young people and families including international perspectives
  • become an articulate, confident and reflective graduate, capable of making informed career choices and transferring your knowledge to a range of relevant contexts and making a positive impact.

  Module information can be found on the Award Map.

  Watch Prof Eunice Lumsden as she talks about her career in childhood, youth and families, what diversity and inclusivity mean to her, holistic safeguarding, why policymakers need to use up to date research, and more.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 24/25. The modules relating to the academic year 25/26 will be available from June 2025.

  • Stage 1
    • Promoting Children and Young People's Emotional Wellbeing (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1022

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to explore the notion that having a happy and healthy childhood is the bedrock that supports children into happy and healthy adulthood. Through enhanced interactive media and experiential learning this module introduces students to tools and skills for use in their professional practice.
    • Advocacy and Activism: Children and Young People's Rights (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1042

      Status: Compulsory
      Students will explore the importance of advocacy and activism in enhancing children?s voice and rights in the contemporary world. They will develop an appreciation of the impact of legislation and policy and their relevance to professionals working in children and young people's services.
    • Introduction to Childhood, Youth and Families (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1043

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the field of childhood, youth, and families. The module explores definitions and understandings of `childhood?, `youth? and `family? and encourages students to understand transition concepts supporting their own transition into UON and best develop key skills for undergraduate university success.
    • Work-based learning with Children, Young People and Families (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1044P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is for students to gain work-based experience in a children, young people and families service setting. Students will enhance their own professional development through self-reflection, mentor feedback, literature research and tutor formative and summative assessment.
    • Fit and Healthy Childhoods: Development, Health and Learning (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1045

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to support students to understand the holistic development of children and young people. This will allow students to appreciate the interplay of factors that shape the health and development of children and young people and impact their present and future.
    • Working Together to support Children, Young People and Families (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU1046

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop students? understanding of social epidemiology and its value for supporting children, young people and families. It builds an appreciation of how practitioners work together to support children, young people and families.
  • Stage 2
    • Effective Intervention, Safeguarding and Integrated Working in Children and Young People's Services (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2022

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to understand the experiences and life chances of children and young people who are in need, in need of protection and those looked after by local authorities. A holistic approach to working with children, young people and their families is emphasised and the importance of integrated working is illustrated and modelled through assessments.
    • Special Educational Needs and Inclusion (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2035

      Status: Compulsory
      Students will develop an understanding of past and contemporary issues, legislation and practice related to Special Educational Needs and Inclusion as these impact children, young people and families. Research literature will advance students? appreciation of the complexities of SEN and the relationship between research and developments in policy and practice.
    • Research Methods (Children, Young People and Families) (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2036

      Status: Compulsory
      This module will provide students with a grounding in independent research. Students will explore research methods in theory and application and gain practical research experience. A range of paradigms in social science research and related methodologies are investigated including evaluation of the suitability of different research designs, methodologies and methods.
    • Working with Families (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2037

      Status: Compulsory
      This module provides students with opportunities to engage in critical debate and discussion on issues relating to children, young people and their families. Students will explore a range of issues, difficulties and challenges that families face in contemporary society, supported by the latest evidence and research in the field.
    • Diversity and Inclusion in Work Based Learning with Children, Young People and Families (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2038P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is for students to gain work-based experience in a children and young people?s service setting. Students will enhance their own professional development through careful consideration of issues of inclusion and diversity when working with children, young people, families and professionals.
    • Diversity and Pluralism (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU2039

      Status: Compulsory
      This module is designed to give students an understanding of issues and debates related to living in a diverse and plural society. The module encourages students to analyse a range of contemporary issues related to the impact diverse characteristics (and attitudes towards these) may have on lived experience and opportunities.
  • Stage 3
    • Innovation, Leadership and Management in Work Based Learning with Children, Young People and Families (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3070P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is for students gain work-based experience in a children and young people?s service setting. Students will lead their own professional development through critical self-reflection in consideration of management and leadership in children services and their personal development planning as change makers in the children?s workforce.
    • Places and Spaces: Geographies of Childhood and Youth (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3071

      Status: Compulsory
      This module critically explores the geographies of children and young people. These places and spaces will be considered analytically regarding both risk and opportunity. Students will consider how to identify and use place and space in ways that empower children and young people.
    • Empowering and Therapeutic Approaches to Working with Children, Young People and Families (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3072

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to broaden students? knowledge of alternative approaches that are therapeutic in nature and enable nurturing relationships, development and learning in order to grow their confidence and skills in when and how to engage such approaches.
    • Social Justice and Equity (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU3073

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to interrogate competing explanations about inequalities. Students will critically consider and apply social, justice theories to better understand the lived experiences of children and young people. This includes considering issues of risk, power, control and opportunities, contextualised within national and global systems.
    • Children, Young People and Families Dissertation (20 Credits)
      Module code: EDU4010

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is for students to investigate, in depth, a topic of their own choosing, within the field of children and young people. In doing so students will demonstrate honours level graduate skills associated with a significant piece of independent research.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time Children, Young People and Families degree at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

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• Integrated Foundation Year

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  The University of Northampton’s four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

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• FAQs

  How will I learn on the Working with Children degree?

  Throughout the Working with Children, Young People and Families degree, you will learn through the use of seminars, workshops, work-based activities, online learning and self-directed study. We also organise specialist guest speakers to run sessions, for example, exploring the impact of domestic violence. In addition, we arrange study trips, for example to a local prison and to the Houses of Parliament, and to local schools to carry out project work.

  At the University of Northampton, we work hard to ensure you are fully supported during your studies by allocating you a personal tutor, offering regular tutorial support and running assessment workshops.

  How am I assessed?

  There are no exams on this degree. Instead, you will be assessed through a range of methods including interviews, reports, case studies, presentations, practical projects and reflective tasks.

  What will my timetable look like?

  Your teaching is consolidated to help make the best use of your time. You might expect to be in university two or three days a week. This helps free up the rest of your timetable for tutorials, working on your assignments and gaining valuable work experience.

  Is there any work based learning?

  Work-based learning is central to the degree in Working with Children, Young People and Families. It supports you to explore different career options. Every year you will complete a placement with a different focus. We will allocate you a setting based on your interests. You will receive mentoring and support to help you make the most out of your work-based experience. Example work-based settings include, youth clubs, family support services, children’s homes, sports development programmes, working with at risk young people, mental health programmes, SEN provision, schools and theatre groups. If you already have a setting in mind, perhaps nearer to a home-base away from Northampton, we can support you to approach this setting and (subject to necessary checks) work with a mentor there to develop your work-based skills and evidence the learning outcomes.

  Are there any study trips available?

  There are exciting opportunities to take part in national and international study trips, for example:

  • Spend one week in Sweden to explore alternative ways of working with children, young people and families.
  • Go to Atlanta in America to explore the civil rights movement.
  • Visit a local prison to hear prisoners’ experiences.

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