Working with Children, Young People and Families

Working with children, young people and families is a professional field that sits across social care, education, health and community development. The people who work effectively in this area need a combination of practical skills, a strong ethical framework, an understanding of child development and wellbeing, and the ability to build supportive, professional relationships with some of the most vulnerable members of society. The field spans early years provision, youth work, family support, looked-after children services, community and voluntary sector roles, and educational settings.

This two-year full-time foundation degree at Sheffield Hallam prepares you directly for practice in these settings. You will study contemporary topics relevant to the lives of children, young people and families, exploring policy, theory and the realities of professional work. Placement experience is embedded throughout the programme, giving you real-world exposure to the environments and populations you will be working with.

The programme also includes opportunities to volunteer abroad with partner organisations, which adds an international dimension to your understanding of children and families in different social and cultural contexts.

The combination of academic study and practical experience means you graduate with both theoretical grounding and a track record of professional engagement, which employers in the sector value. The foundation degree provides a qualification that is recognised in its own right and also gives you a platform for progression, either into employment or to top-up routes to a full bachelor's degree for those who wish to continue their academic development.

Graduates work in local authority children's services, early years settings, schools, youth organisations, family support programmes, the voluntary sector and residential care. Some go on to further study and professional qualification in social work, teaching or youth work.