Working with Children, Young People and Families

Please check the Sheffield Hallam University website for the latest information.

(This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa
to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, email internationaladmissions@shu.ac.uk to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.)

Course summary

- Gain key skills and knowledge to work with young people and their families.

- Learn directly from 400 hours of valuable placement experience.

- Study alongside others on a supportive, collaborative course, with no exams.

- Current opportunities to work abroad (on an organised placement or as a volunteer with European refugee support groups) – with the possibility of funding through the Turing Scheme

On this course you will develop an excellent grounding for further studies or to work with children, young people and families. You will focus on important contemporary topics such as child safeguarding and child and adolescent development and parenting – alongside interdisciplinary-focused modules and work placements. You will graduate with a diverse range of skills that make a real difference.

How you learn

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.

This course provides high-quality work placements alongside enriching and enjoyable teaching sessions. We are a team of supportive and dedicated professionals from a range of relevant backgrounds. The modules are designed to introduce and develop your confidence and understanding of the principles and skills you will need to work with children, young people and families. Alongside university teaching sessions, you will learn from two x 200 hour placements of work-based learning experience.

You learn through

- workshop-style sessions from current practitioners and experts

- case studies, presentations and assignments

- placements in a wide range of statutory, voluntary and independent settings

- one-to-one support from an academic adviser

- on-placement learning support

- technology designed to enhance your learning experience

Applied learning

Applied learning is the ethos at the heart of all Sheffield Hallam courses – meaning you are given the opportunity to put your studies into practice.

You will be taught by professionals who are active in their field, so you'll get cutting-edge, practice-focused knowledge of your subject. You will gain real-world skills and insights through placements, workshops and a range of development opportunities.

Work-based learning is embedded into both years of the course, so you will develop your workplace skills and confidence alongside building a solid knowledge and understanding of your subject. These will help you to build your skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, integrity and curiosity as a developing professional. This will take place in different practice learning environments, reflecting the range of ways services are currently delivered.

In-class knowledge and theory will help prepare you for practice-learning experiences on placement. You will also bring your practice-learning experiences into the classroom to reflect and explore more fully. Modules are designed to help you not only apply theory to practice, but also to develop critical and ethical approaches to your practice in order to become life-long, competent professionals.