With a focus on personal, as well as professional development, our degree will engage you in understand the complexities of working with children young people and their families, in theory and in practice.  We want to support you so that you can develop to become effective agents of change, making a difference to vulnerable children and young people, and providing family support. 

The rights of children and young people, and a commitment to social justice are at the centre of what we believe, teach and research. 

As you progress through the programme you will become confident and competent advocates of children and young people; developing your personal and professional skills so that you can, in future careers, be influential in developing practice, provision and policy.

Through a supportive and nurturing learning environment, you will be encouraged to develop your communication skills, drawing on digital technologies and to take ‘risks’ as you explore and find out new things about working with children, young people and families, as well as yourself.

Experienced tutors on the programme come from a wide range of professional backgrounds and are research active, understanding the demands of study, work and family life.  The programme draws on experienced professionals from the field of education, social work and health.  They are committed to the same agenda of social justice, social mobility and social responsibility that forms the underpinning philosophy of the programme.

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A Birmingham City University Graduate is professional and work-ready, a creative problem solver, enterprising and has a global outlook.  This expectation is realised through the BA Hons Working with Children, Young People and Families programme which provides you with the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of vulnerable children, young people and their families. 

Transferable skills are considered very highly throughout the programme should you decide not to work directly with children and young people in the future.  We have embraced the Graduate + scheme  and there are opportunities throughout the programme for you to receive credit for developing your employability skills. 

We have a commitment to learning for life and actively encourage you to develop your own research skills and to pursue your learning journey by building on your first degree to Masters level and beyond.  From induction through to your final module your tutor team will support you in exploring career pathways linked to vulnerable children, young people and their families. Working closely with local services will enable you to network and find out what it is like to work in the field.

PLACEMENTS

Placement is an integral part of the programme, there will be chances in your first year to explore and find out information about a range of services that work with, or for, children, young people and families, and to visit and shadow professionals working in this field – this is so you can not only develop professional skills but can also find out about the wide range of professional careers open to you. 

It also about developing transferable skills so that after you have completed your degree you already have a strong CV that makes you really employable.  Later on you will have the opportunity to undertake a placement in a related service that may focus on education, health or social care for children, young people and their families. In your final year you will be able to carry out an evaluative study that will be work based.