Career in Health & Social Care

Safeguarding and Challenging Inequalities in Early Years - Level 4 University Certificate of Credit

Summary

This is a NEW FREE degree-level modular trial course - with access to government maintenance loans, alongside non-repayable B&FC financial support.

This course has been purposefully designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and skills in safeguarding and challenging inequalities and meet the needs of employers and developing your career opportunities within an early years setting. A work based vocational course of study, delivered predominantly on-line, supports links between theory and practice within the early years sector. You will focus on two specific modules of learning, Challenging Inequalities in Children’s Lives and Safeguarding in the Early Years. Combined they provide you with an excellent starting point, if you are either new to the early years sector, or currently employed and want to develop your knowledge and skills to create positive and safe environments for children.

Challenging Inequalities in Children’s Lives explores the various challenges of accessing early years education with specific focus on the impact of race, religion, class, ethnicity, gender, learning and physical disabilities. Developing an understanding of the importance of inclusion and developing knowledge of inclusive practice will further be explored to support you to promote diversity and inclusion within an early years setting.

Safeguarding in the Early Years allows you to develop your understanding of safeguarding, a requirement for all practitioners working within the early years sector. To provide context the historical origins of safeguarding will be explored, considering critical events that have resulted in changes to safeguarding approaches. This module will allow you to explore the fundamental government policies and examine the legal implications in relation to safeguarding in early years. You will explore development in early intervention and assessment and review the techniques available to you within the sector supporting you as an early years practitioner.

  • Course code SM1HE135
  • Duration 22 Weeks
  • Day/s of week Tuesday
  • Time 09:15 - 16:45

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
Sep/Oct 2024
University Centre
22 Weeks
08 Sep 2025
University Centre
22 Weeks
  • £37,100 average annual salary
  • Rapid progression to Senior Management and Consultancy roles
  • 59,103 annual job openings in the North West

What Uni Reviews

Good community brilliant tutors and a good course. *****
- Jakub Kosiec
Teachers are knowledgeable and very supportive. Equipment is top notch. ****
- Steven Dickson
Excellent support and tutors. *****
- Afreen Hussain
Bright lights above the streets of a city, reflecting navigational routes similar to B&FC's modular acceleration initiatives.

Modular Acceleration Programme

Want to dip your toe in the water when it comes to degree-level study but don't want it to cost you a penny? Build credits towards a HTQ with flexible study, and nothing to pay up front.
MAP Explained
HTQ logo

Higher Technical Qualification

This in an approved Higher Technical Qualification and is alligned with the occupation - Early Years Practitioner.
More on HTQ

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This course provides an excellent starting point if you wish to embark on a career within the early years sector as an early years practitioner. On successful completion of this course, you could progress onto a L4 Certificate of Higher Education in Early Childhood Studies or progress onto a L5 Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies with the HTQ Early Years Lead Practitioner as a dual award or enter employment as an Early Years Practitioner or Room Leader.

Key information

Entry Requirements

There is an expectation that applicants will have:

English Language grade C/4 or Functional Skills English at Level 2

In additiont to one of the following:

  • L3 Diploma in Early Years – Pass
  • L3 Extended Diploma in Early Years - Pass
  • L3 Early Years Educator - Pass

You may also be considered If you are a non-standard student, who has not followed the traditional routes in further education and will consider applications on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who can demonstrate relevant work/life skills or knowledge will also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Additional Requirements:

  • Confirmed employment or work experience within the Early Years Sector
  • A current DBS

Initial advice and guidance will include a professional discussion with the delivery team and will include job progression and career aspirations, to ensure that the enrolment is correct for individual student circumstances.

Qualification obtained

University Certificate in Safeguarding and Challenging Inequalities in the Early Years

Extra costs and equipment

To access the online learning sessions, you will need to have IT that allows you to access the Teams meeting platform. A computer is also required as all assessments are submitted electronically. All students will need to have an up to date DBS certificate to be employed in the early years sector. If this is not provided by your setting the cost of the application is at present £38. ID verification through the Post Office is £13 and subsequent applications to the DBS update service are £13 per year.

You may also wish to purchase books to support your studies.

Face to face sessions, approximately every 4 weeks, will be at the University Campus where car parking fees apply.

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

You will be employed within the early years sector or have a work placement to allow you to complete the assessment requirements of the programme.

  • Modules at level 4

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Safeguarding in the Early Years SM4MD182 20 No
    Challenging Inequalities in Childrens Lives SM4MD183 20 No

Study Support - at a glance

  • Higher Education Learning Mentors (HELMs)
  • One-to-one and group study support sessions
  • Pre-degree preparation workshops
  • IT Support
Discover available Study Support

Tutor Profile - Francoise Peill

Area of Expertise:
Early Years, Children and Families, Safeguarding and Multi-disciplinary Working, Child Health and Wellbeing, Third Sector Strategic Management.

Enjoys teaching at B&FC because:
Education has the power to change lives and transform local communities and it's amazing when you encounter this life-changing effect within your own classroom.

How will I learn?

The two modules in this course will be covered with the topics listed below.

Challenging Inequalities in Children's Lives:

  • Inclusive policy and government legislation
  • Social constructs
  • Health promotion
  • Gender equality
  • Cultural diversity
  • British values
  • Education, Health and Care (EHC) assessment process
  • Cultural diversity
  • Equality and diversity in education
  • Marginalised groups

Safeguarding in the Early Years:

  • Approaches to safeguarding
  • Early Help Assessment and current strategies
  • Child abuse and neglect
  • Serious case reviews
  • Historical review of safeguarding practice
  • Current key government policy and legislation
  • Role of Designated Safeguarding Officer
  • Strategies to protect children at risk

This course will be delivered blended, predominantly through on-line learning with monthly face to face sessions. Teaching, learning and assessment will take place through a mixture of lectures, seminars, group activities such as discussions, research, presentations as well as completion of individual reflective journals. You will also be supported by technology, using existing and emerging learning technologies.

The course is delivered in the evening over 2 hours a week, with a requirement of a minimum of 2 hours a week independent study.

Learning Methods

Learning Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Scheduled 84 0 0
Independent 314 0 0
Placement 0 0 0
Total 398 0 0
Ready to take the next step? Navigate to the top of the page and click Apply Now to continue your degree-level journey.

Not the course for you?

Take a look at some of our other degree-level study options and see what sparks your imagination.

  • Children, Young People & Families - Certificate of Higher Education

    View course

  • Adult Health and Social Care - Foundation Degree

    View course

  • Network Fundamentals - Level 4 University Certificate of Credit

    View course

How will I be assessed?

How will I be assessed?

Challenging Inequalities in Children’s Lives will be assessed in two ways. The first assessment has a weighting of 50% comprising a 10 minute presentation that addresses how to promote inclusion, equality and diversity within the early years sector further reviewing the development of a healthy approach to making choices. The second assessment, 50% weighting, is an academic poster that explains the significant of inclusive practice and discuss within an early year’s context social, cultural and religious beliefs.

Safeguarding in the Early Years is assessed in two ways. Task one is a 2000 word essay, 50% weighting, that provides a reflection on key policies and legislations that have influenced safeguarding practice, assessing the need for intervention and current intervention strategies. Assessment two is a 10-minute presentation, 50% weighting, that will provide the opportunity to explore the challenges of safeguarding and the failings in safeguarding practice. This will conclude with an evaluation of the internal and external influences that impact on children.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 50% 0% 0%
Exam 0% 0% 0%
Practical 0% 0% 0%