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Why choose the School of Applied Social Sciences
In the National Student Survey 2024, over 95% of our childhood and youth studies students were satisfied with their teaching and learning opportunities, putting these courses in the UK top 10 in their subject field in these areas.
100% of our childhood and youth studies students were satisfied with how well their course developed knowledge and skills for the future (NSS, 2024).
In the Complete University Guide (CUG) 2025, our childhood and youth studies courses tied 6th in their subject field for graduate prospects (on track).
About the course
This Level 5 Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) has been specially developed by the University of Bedfordshire to give you the skills, knowledge and hands-on experience needed to take on the central role of a manager within children, young people and family services. Through supportive teaching, simulated practice and work placements, you learn to ensure your team – and all other professionals involved in supporting a child/young person and their family – are working effectively together to improve lives and achieve lasting change.
Course accreditation
This Level 5 HTQ is approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IATE), meaning it meets the occupational standards for the sector and gives you the specific training required to work as a children, young people and families manager.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Brewster Square, our brand-new simulation floor situated in our modern STEM building, takes you from a mock home to hospital, giving you hands-on experience of a range of scenarios you’ll encounter in the real world
- Seven-storey library with an extensive range of physical and digital resources
- Bespoke lecture theatres, presentation rooms and group study spaces
Industry links
This course is designed and delivered in partnership with local employers and service users, meaning our practice-led, competency-based curriculum reflects real-world practice. Our external partners include voluntary and statutory agencies working in the sector, who contribute to course delivery with their specialist knowledge and experience.
Your student experience
Our sector partnerships allow us to offer work placements across a range of settings including residential and in the community.
Learn within the School of Applied Social Sciences, which has a strong history of training professionals to work with children, youth and families.
Draw from our academic team’s active research involvement in areas such as step-parenting, school exclusion and youth work, which feeds directly back into their teaching.
The curriculum follows professional codes of ethical conduct and statutory guidance on safeguarding children and young people, preparing you to work effectively in the field.
Develop highly sought-after leadership skills such as decision-making; critical thinking; effective communication; and collaborative working.
Expand your learning with specialist input and workshops from our sector-wide partners.
Get involved in our #SASS Change Maker initiative, which works with local charities, policymakers and community influences to raise awareness of topical issues in society.
Gaining this qualification opens the way to related further study at Level 6, such as our Childhood and Youth Studies BA (Hons).
with Professional Practice Year
This course has the option to be taken over four years which includes a year placement in industry. Undertaking a year in industry has many benefits. You gain practical experience and build your CV, as well as being a great opportunity to sample a profession and network with potential future employers.
There is no tuition fee for the placement year enabling you to gain an extra year of experience for free.
*Only available to UK/EU students.
with Foundation Year
A Degree with a Foundation Year gives you guaranteed entry to an Undergraduate course.
Whether you’re returning to learning and require additional help and support to up-skill, or if you didn’t quite meet the grades to pursue an Undergraduate course, our Degrees with Foundation Year provide a fantastic entry route for you to work towards a degree level qualification.
With our guidance and support you’ll get up to speed within one year, and will be ready to seamlessly progress on to undergraduate study at Bedfordshire.
The Foundation Year provides an opportunity to build up your academic writing skills and numeracy, and will also cover a range of subject specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree.
This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will need to successfully complete the Foundation Year to progress on to the first year of your bachelor’s degree.
Why study a degree with a Foundation Year?
- Broad-based yet enough depth to give you credible vocational skills
- Coverage of a variety of areas typically delivered by an expert in this area
- Gain an understanding of a subject before choosing which route you wish to specialise in
- Great introduction to further study, and guaranteed progression on to one of our Undergraduate degrees
The degrees offering a Foundation Year provide excellent preparation for your future studies.
During your Foundation Year you will get the opportunity to talk to tutors about your degree study and future career aspirations, and receive guidance on the most appropriate Undergraduate course to help you achieve this; providing you meet the entry requirements and pass the Foundation Year.
Course Leader - Dr Fiona Factor
My professional background is in youth work; in particular detached street-based work with vulnerable young people. I came to the University in 1995 to establish the youth and community professional JNC qualifying programme. During this period I developed numerous partnerships overseas, generated significant external business income for the university and undertook several research projects. In 2004, I left to establish my own consultancy business and worked with a range of statutory and voluntary organisations to improve how their services to children and young people were delivered.
Course Leader - Dr Fiona Factor
My professional background is in youth work; in particular detached street-based work with vulnerable young people. I came to the University in 1995 to establish the youth and community professional JNC qualifying programme. During this period I developed numerous partnerships overseas, generated significant external business income for the university and undertook several research projects. In 2004, I left to establish my own consultancy business and worked with a range of statutory and voluntary organisations to improve how their services to children and young people were delivered.
What will you study?
Studying our Children, Young People and Families Manager FD (HTQ) course will equip you with the in-depth knowledge and skills to become a practitioner and manager in a range of services to support children, young people and their families. This is explored in our Effective, Ethical and Inclusive Practice Skills in Supporting Children, Young People and Families unit where you will be provided with the theories, models and methods of intervention to develop relationships while supporting children, young people and their families. This will be helpful in allowing you to build a rapport with these groups to improve engagement outcomes. Similarly, you will examine the lives of children and young people from various perspectives while considering the different factors, such as social or cultural change alongside diversity and inclusion, and how this shapes narratives around contemporary childhood, adolescent development and family life in our Understanding and Applying Key Foundational Knowledge, Legislative, Policy and Practice Frameworks unit.
In addition, you will explore the definitions of professional practice within a career that supports the needs of children, families and young people. Furthermore, you will examine overarching issues for children, young people and families in need of intervention, safeguarding or support in the context of child welfare and youth justice in our Conducting Assessments, Delivering Interventions and Evaluating Outcomes in Practice unit. More importantly, you will learn to adopt a reflective approach to your personal and professional values when dealing with issues in the workplace and learn to develop this to deliver good quality services for your client group in our Designing, Resourcing and Delivering Quality Services to Children, Young People and their Families unit.
In practical areas of work, our Virtual Placement 1 – Working with Children, Young People and Families unit will offer you work experience opportunities where you will be able to apply theory and practice acquired from this course. The second part of this unit will allow you to demonstrate your understanding and ability to apply theory, methodologies, policy and legislation to meet occupational standards in a professional setting through direct practice, simulations or virtual placements in Virtual Placement 2 – Managing Services for Children, Young People and Their Families. Building on this, you will be supported in planning your career in our Skills for Employment unit that will help you identify your personal values, strengths and transferrable skills and subsequently articulate this in a confident way to help you secure your desired career destination.
How will you be assessed?
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Careers
The curriculum is designed to meet the growing demand for qualified people trained to take on managerial roles within children/young people and family services across the statutory voluntary and growing private sectors. It also opens the way to further study at degree level in a related field such as Child and Youth Studies BA (Hons).
Entry Requirements
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 English
Entry Requirements
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 English
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a Foundation Degree for the Academic Year 2024/25 is £9,250. These are the full course fees covering each year of study.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
International students cannot apply for Foundation Degrees.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
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