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Working with Children, Young People and Families

BA (Hons)

Typical offer for 2025
Duration
UCAS code

Suitable for applications.

Overview

Gain the skills you need for a career working with children and families in this three-year, full-time BA (Hons) programme.

You’ll develop a firm understanding of policy and legislative issues, and get the hands-on practical experience you need to be an effective practitioner.

You’ll study topics such as:

  • Legislation relating to education, child protection and health
  • Roles and responsibilities of agencies
  • Multi-agency working
  • Communicating with children through play, art and role play

The programme gives you the opportunity to explore different aspects of working with children and families, in a variety of environments. Upon graduation, you’ll be able to pursue careers in areas such as family support, community development, education, and mentorship.

You may choose to pursue further study after graduation, such as the MA in Social Work, giving you the qualification you need to be a social worker.

This degree also gives students the option to incorporate the Level 3 Diploma for The Children and Young Person's Workforce qualification as part of one of the option modules. This qualification is the Ofsted recognised, required qualification for many areas of the children and young people's workforce and is often a prerequisite for those making application to work in this sector.

Entry requirements

Typical offer - 112 UCAS tariff points.

 

A levels

BBC - there are no subject specific requirements.

T levels

Merit - there are no specific subject requirements.

BTEC Extended Diploma

DMM - there are no subject specific requirements.

Applicants on Access Programmes

Meet UCAS Tariff of 112 - there are no subject specific requirements.

International Baccalaureate Requirements

112 UCAS tariff points to include at least 80 points from 2 HL subjects. Plus HL 3 or SL 4 in English Language and Literature A or English B.

Plus minimum of

GCSE English at grade C or 4 (equivalents accepted).

English language requirements

Minimum IELTS at 6.0 or the equivalent.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, and you have a UKVI approved IELTS, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

Foundation Year entry

If you are a UK student and do not meet the entry requirements for this course, our Foundation Year has a route to Working with Children, Young People and Families BA (Hons).

Foundation Year entry requirements

72 UCAS points or equivalent plus an English Language and a Maths qualification equivalent to GCSE Grade 4.

Study and progression requirements

Pass each module and achieve a programme average of at least 40%.

You will study the relevant core modules plus five optional modules.

If you are an international student and do not meet the entry requirements for direct entry onto this course, you may be interested in our International College.

Transferring from another university

If you are currently studying at another university and would like to transfer to the University of Bradford, this course accepts students into the second or third year. This is called advanced entry.

Applications for advanced entry will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must include an official transcript (not a screenshot of a portal), all module descriptors, and relevant qualifications. Module descriptors must include learning outcomes.

Applications must be submitted through UCAS and the required documents emailed along with your UCAS Personal ID no later than 31 August prior to the course starting in September. Relevant documents should be emailed to [email protected]

What you will study

All module information is for 2023 entry, and is subject to change.

Learning and assessment

You will explore the theoretical underpinnings of work with children and families, with a focus on synthesizing theory and practice. You will study communication, childcare law, modules in Sociology and Psychology, and will have the opportunity to develop practical skills in an optional Learning from Practice module in year 2.

You will undertake modules that explore the social policy and legislative backdrop in relation to children and families. You will explore issues around confidentiality, information sharing and interagency working. You will gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of agencies working with children and families including children’s centres, children’s social care, schools, the police and the health services.

Professionals in this field are encouraged to develop skills in direct work with children and families and you will be introduced to a range of practice skills and learn hands-on techniques to work with children including the use of play, art and role play. Throughout the three years of the degree, you will be encouraged to develop into a reflective practitioner.

This degree pathway is suitable for anyone already working with children and families, or for anyone leaving secondary education and wanting to start a career in working with children, young people and families.

Official programme specification

Our facilities

Students have access to the Communal area of the ground floor of the Pembertron building and can also book meeting rooms in the library for collaborative learning and groupwork.

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2025

  • UK: £9,535
  • International: £20,538

Additional costs

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career prospects

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Study support

Our comprehensive support services will help you to achieve your full potential – both academically and personally. 

We provide all you need to make the very best of your time with us, and successfully progress through your studies and on into the world of graduate employment. 

Our support services include: 

  • Personal tutors 
  • Disability services 
  • Counselling services 
  • MyBradford student support centres 
  • The Students’ Union 
  • Chaplaincy and faith advisers 
  • An on-campus nursery 
  • Halls wardens 

We have well-stocked libraries and excellent IT facilities across campus. These facilities are open 24 hours a day during term time, meaning you’ll always find a place to get things done on campus. 

Our Academic Skills Advice Service will work with you to develop your academic, interpersonal and transferable skills. 

Research

All teaching staff are research active, and our research informs our teaching.

We bring a variety of experiences of children and families work including fostering and adoption, family and parenting support, child protection and childcare law.

We also bring a huge variety of other skills and expertise, including using art as a therapeutic tool with children and families and skills in other direct work activities.

This is the current course information. Modules and course details may change, subject to the University's programme approval, monitoring and review procedures. The University reserves the right to alter or withdraw courses, services and facilities as described on our website without notice and to amend Ordinances, Regulations, fees and charges at any time. Students should enquire as to the up-to-date position when applying for their course of study.