Education, Mental Health and SEND

Are you interested in a professional career in family support, therapeutic or pastoral roles within education or the health and social care sector? Would you like to explore how children and young people learn and develop?

On this course, you’ll investigate the role of education in the creation of a fair and inclusive society, focusing on special educational needs (SEND) and mental health, and learn how education impacts on the life chances of children and young people.

Education, Mental Health and SEND is a unique, vocationally focused inclusive education degree with two central themes, Mental Health and SEND in children and young people, which you’ll examine throughout your studies.

Academic experts with established careers in mental health and SEND practice will share their extensive experience with you. They’ll teach you about current themes linked to mental health that are at the forefront of inclusive practice in education and related sectors, such as Trauma-informed and Responsive Practice. You will consider race equity, social justice and diversity across all aspects of your studies and discuss the challenges marginalised communities face in today’s society.

A key feature of this degree is the application of theory and knowledge to practice. You’ll undertake professional work placements in a range of settings that work with children, specifically in education, health and social care. This allows you to gain vital experience and employability skills that will help prepare you for your career. We also offer opportunities to undertake additional professional development and vocational qualifications that will allow you greater access to various specialist settings after you graduate.

This degree aims to give you the knowledge, skills and experience you need to start your graduate journey in the exciting and ever-changing sector of inclusive education, health and social care.

Professional work placements We have established links with schools and other education, health and social care settings across the region so you could undertake your placements within mainstream primary and secondary education, alternative provisions and SEND education institutions. You might look for a role in family support work, youth and community work, local government or in the charity sector working with children and young people. While on placement, you could be shadowing mental health practitioners and mental health leads both inside and outside of formal education establishments.

Graduate opportunities This degree allows you to explore aspects of education, health (particularly mental health) and social care in preparation for further training or employment. Possible career routes include family support, therapeutic and pastoral roles within education or Education and Mental Health Practitioner or a Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner within NHS or healthcare settings. With its emphasis on social justice and welfare, this course also gives you the skills you need for a graduate career in other areas such as housing, local government, the police, government social research and the charity sector. You could also progress onto a PGCE (if you would like to become a teacher) or other postgraduate study or research in education, mental health or SEND.