FdA Working with Children, Young People and Families

Study Mode Part-time
Year of Entry 2024/25
Tutor supervising young children teaching

FdA

Working with Children, Young People and Families

Part-time Social work

Train to work with children and families on a course developed in consultation with employers.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: £4,625 per year
    Not open to International/EU

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    3 Years

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    Collegiate Campus

  • Bookmark

    What are the entry requirements?

    64 UCAS Points

  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2024


Student satisfaction

This course scored 90% for overall satisfaction in the 2022 National Student Survey.

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Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.

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Course summary

  • Gain key skills and knowledge to work with young people and their families.
  • Learn directly from 400 hours of valuable placement experience.
  • Study alongside others on a supportive, collaborative course, with no exams.
  • Current opportunities to work abroad (on an organised placement or as a volunteer with European refugee support groups) – with the possibility of funding through the Turing Scheme.

On this course you will develop an excellent grounding for further studies or to work with children, young people and families. You will focus on important contemporary topics such as child safeguarding.


How you learn

Watch course leader Sukey Tarr talk about the FdA and BA (Honours) Working with Children, Young People and Families course.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

This course provides high-quality work placements alongside enriching and enjoyable teaching sessions. We are a team of supportive and dedicated professionals from a range of relevant backgrounds. The modules are designed to introduce and develop your confidence and understanding of the principles and skills you will need to work with children, young people and families. Alongside university teaching sessions, you will learn from two x 200 hour placements of work-based learning experience.  

You learn through

  • workshop-style sessions from current practitioners and experts
  • case studies, presentations and assignments
  • placements in a wide range of statutory, voluntary and independent settings
  • one-to-one support from an academic adviser
  • on-placement learning support
  • technology designed to enhance your learning experience

Course leaders and tutors

Paula Green
Paula Green
Principal Lecturer

Staff profile for Paula Green, principal lecturer at Sheffield Hallam

Student View

FdA Working with Children, Young People and Families student, Jasmine, and BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) student, Tom, both travelled to Lesotho in South Africa. There they worked with community leaders on social justice projects and put into practice some of the skills they'd learned on their courses.

Applied learning

Applied learning is the ethos at the heart of all Sheffield Hallam courses – meaning you are given the opportunity to put your studies into practice. 

You will be taught by professionals who are active in their field, so you'll get cutting-edge, practice-focused knowledge of your subject. You will gain real-world skills and insights through placements, workshops and a range of development opportunities.

Work-based learning is embedded into both years of the course, so you will develop your workplace skills and confidence alongside building a solid knowledge and understanding of your subject. These will help you to build your skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, integrity and curiosity as a developing professional. This will take place in different practice learning environments, reflecting the range of ways services are currently delivered.  

In-class knowledge and theory will help prepare you for practice-learning experiences on placement. You will also bring your practice-learning experiences into the classroom to reflect and explore more fully. Modules are designed to help you not only apply theory to practice, but also to develop critical and ethical approaches to your practice in order to become life-long, competent professionals. 


Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in

  • educational settings
  • social care and health settings
  • public, private and third sector roles supporting children and young people
  • family support and early intervention
  • community development and outreach

Or you could further study one of the following Sheffield Hallam University courses

  • BA (Honours) Working with Children Young People and Families – guaranteed progression route to all graduates of this foundation degree
  • BA (Honours) Social Work – entry into the second year (via a competitive interview for limited places)
  • BA (Honours) Childhood Studies – entry into the third year
  • BA (Honours) Early Childhood Studies – entry into the third year
  • BA (Honours) Teaching and Learning in Primary Education (5-11) with QTS (top up)

Where will I study?

You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Collegiate campus

Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.

Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities 


Collegiate Campus map
Location

Collegiate Crescent
Sheffield
S10 2BP

Get directions
Students outside Collegiate Library
Collegiate library

Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Equipment and facilities

We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.

Entry requirements

All students

UCAS points

64

This must include at least 24 points from an A level or equivalent BTEC National qualification. For example:

 

  • CC at A Level
  • MPP in BTEC Extended Diploma
  • A combination of qualifications, which may include AS Levels, EPQ and general studies

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

Or

  • Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in social science, health studies, health science, nursing or another relevant course.

Other equivalent qualifications are considered individually.

And

GCSEs in

  • English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
  • *GCSE English equivalents
    • Level 2 Literacy
    • Level 2 Key Skills

IELTS

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 overall and a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English.

 

Helping your application succeed

 

Experience

Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care.  It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview.

Reference

You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution with your UCAS application.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview. To confirm your identity on the day please bring a valid form of photo ID with you, preferably a passport or photo driving licence.

View our interview guidance to ensure you understand the interviews process and how you can prepare for this.   

Course enrolment - professional requirements

Before enrolling you must fully declare on the forms provided during the admissions process:

  • Unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
  • Involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments
  • Involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
  • Enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University

In addition

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check

  • You must undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
  • If you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining this check can be found here
  • Where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.

Occupational Health Screening

You must undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.

Immunisations

You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge.

Pre-course Day

After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK you are expected to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the professional requirements of your course. This is also an opportunity to meet fellow applicant to the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, some current students and teaching staff.

Other professional suitability information

Your full enrolment on your course will be confirmed when the Professional Issues Team have verified that your Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas criminal record check where relevant) indicates that you are suitable to work with vulnerable groups including children and clearance from your health screening has been received.

If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, you must tell the Professional Issues team immediately by calling 0114 225 5637 or emailing HWB-Professional-Issues@shu.ac.uk.

Disability support

We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.

The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students on health and social care courses and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course. You can contact our disability co-ordinator for social work and social care on 0114 225 5769 to discuss any queries you may have or you can contact our university disabled student support team on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom).

Open day

Our online open days give you an opportunity to chat live to our teaching staff and current students. You can explore the campus and view our facilities virtually as well as asking any questions you may have. To book your place at one of our online open days please follow this link: University open days.

Additional information for EU/International students

This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, email our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.


Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

Important notice: The structure for this course is currently being reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment are all likely to change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Once the changes have been confirmed, updated module information will be published on this page.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Child Development
Credits 20
Assessment
Personal, Professional And Academic Development
Credits 20
Assessment
Work-Based Learning One (Academic)
Credits 20
Assessment
Work-Based Learning One (Practice)
Credits 20
Assessment
Year 2

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Foundations For Effective Collaborative Practice
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Multiagency Communication And Intervention
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Safeguarding And Assessment
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Using And Evaluating Evidence To Inform Practice
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Elective modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Creative Methods
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Refugees And Migrant Families
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Developing Collaborative Partnerships
Credits 20
Assessment
Theory And Practice Of Parenting
Credits 20
Assessment
Work-Based Learning Two (Academic)
Credits 20
Assessment
Work-Based Learning Two (Practice)
Credits 20
Assessment

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2024/25 is £4,625 per year (based on studying 60 credits per year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

HSC bursary image

Health and social care funding

Home fee-paying students can access a non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 per year. You may also be eligible for additional financial support based on your circumstances.

Learn more

Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Additional costs for Social work courses (PDF, 214.3KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

Student success story

Up to 30 students on the University's social work, social care and community studies courses put everything they learned into practice when they travelled to Calais and Dunkirk to help displaced migrants.

 

How do I apply?

Complete an application form to apply for this course.

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Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Employment

95% of our UK graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey)

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Training

We are one of the largest training providers of health and social care in the UK, giving you access to cross-discipline learning

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