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Why choose the School of Applied Social Sciences
95% of our social sciences students were satisfied with the learning opportunities their course offered; 100% of our students were satisfied with how well it developed knowledge and skills for the future (NSS, 2024).
This Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) is approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
The course has a strong vocational approach that includes case studies, work-based experience and simulated practice.
About the course
If you are already working with children/young people and their families, then this Level 4 Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) allows you to up-skill and take your career to the next level. It gives you the specific training, knowledge and skills needed to work in a professional role, supporting children and young people. There is a strong emphasis on work-based and simulated learning to build your skills and understanding, particularly how this role can improve the lives of children/young people.
Course accreditation
This Level 4 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 practitioner.
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
Apply your theoretical knowledge to real-world situations through case studies, virtual placements, and both work-based and simulated learning.
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.
Gain a qualification that opens the way to further study at Level 5, such as our Children, Young People and Families Manager FdA (HTQ).
Develop highly sought-after transferable skills such as decision-making; critical thinking; effective communication; and collaborative working.
Expand your experience with regular talks from guest speakers and relevant field trips.
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.
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 Practitioner CertHE (HTQ) course will equip you with the in-depth knowledge and skills to become a practitioner across 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 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.
How will you be assessed?
.
Careers
The curriculum is designed to meet the growing demand for qualified people trained to take on 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 Level 5 with our Children Young People and Families Manager FdA then on to top-up 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
- Safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced DBS, and Occupational Health check are required
Entry Requirements
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
- GCSE grade 4/Functional Skills Level 2 English
- Safeguarding checks, including an Enhanced DBS, and Occupational Health check are required
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs. See www.gov.uk/student-finance
Excellence Scholarships
Worth £2,500 per year of study over three years when you score a defined number of UCAS tariff points from specified qualifications*
» If you don’t qualify for an Excellence Scholarship but have 120 UCAS tariff points, you have enough points for one of our Achievement Scholarships offering £500 per year of study**
» Other scholarships, bursaries and financial support packages are available
* Points requirements vary depending on type of qualification.
** Threshold is 120 UCAS tariff points across all awarding bodies and qualifications.
International
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2025/26 is £16,900 per year.
There are range of Scholarships available to help support you through your studies with us.
A full list of scholarships can be found here.
Virtual Tour
