Children, Young People and Society

Children, young people and society is an interdisciplinary field that takes the experiences, rights and development of children and young people as its central concern. It draws on sociology, psychology, social policy, education and social work to build a nuanced understanding of childhood and youth as social constructs shaped by culture, policy and history, as well as by the lived experiences of individual children and families. The discipline is concerned with the conditions in which children grow up, the institutions and professionals that serve them, and the social structures that produce inequality in children's lives and outcomes.

At York St John University this programme includes a foundation year, providing a pathway into degree-level study, and also includes a year abroad. The foundation year develops the academic skills and contextual knowledge needed for progression to the full degree, which runs full time over three years. The programme prepares you to engage with the challenging issues that arise in children's and family services, including safeguarding, inequality, poverty, the legal frameworks that govern child welfare, and the professional ethics required of those who work with vulnerable young people.

You will also study child development, family dynamics and the policy contexts that shape services for children across different national settings.

You will develop skills in critical analysis, social research methods, professional communication and reflective practice. These are capabilities that serve graduates well both in further study and in the range of professional roles associated with working with children and families.

Graduates from children, young people and society programmes move into careers in social care, youth work, early years provision, education support, family support services, the voluntary sector and community development. The degree also provides a foundation for postgraduate professional training in social work, education or child psychotherapy, and for roles in policy, research and advocacy related to children's rights and welfare.