Youth Social Worker Pathway | Blackpool and The Fylde College

Summary

Are you passionate about supporting children, young people, and families through life’s challenges? The Youth Social Worker Pathway at Blackpool and The Fylde College is designed for individuals who want to make a meaningful difference in their communities. Whether you're just starting out or looking to build on existing experience, this pathway provides the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to begin a rewarding career in youth work or social care.

This pathway includes the following qualifications:

NCFE Level 1 Award in Awareness of Substance Misuse
NCFE Level 1 Award in Alcohol Awareness
NCFE Level 1 Award in Stress Awareness
NCFE Level 1 Award in Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings
NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Children and Young People’s Workforce

You will explore these key topics such as substance misuse, stress awareness, safeguarding, and child development. You’ll gain a strong foundation in health and social care principles, while developing the confidence to support vulnerable individuals in a variety of settings. The pathway is ideal for those aiming to work in youth services, residential care, or family support roles, and offers clear progression routes into advanced qualifications and employment.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration / Fees
01 Aug 2025	Community Based	/ £0	Apply now
01 Aug 2026	Community Based	/ £0	Apply now

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

The Youth Social Worker Pathway is ideal for individuals who want to work with children, young people, and families in supportive, community-based roles. It provides a strong foundation for careers in youth work, social care, and early years services, and is particularly suited to those who want to promote wellbeing, resilience, and positive outcomes for others.

Whilst preparing individuals to enter the workplace directly, this pathway is also suitable for those who wish to pursue higher level qualifications allowing them to apply for more senior roles within the sector.

Next steps at B&FC

Having completed the Youth Social Worker Pathway, learners can progress to a range of advanced qualifications at Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC), including:

Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce
Level 4 Apprenticeship in Children, Young People, and Families Practitioner
Practitioner in Children’s Residential Care

These qualifications prepare you for leadership roles and specialist positions in youth work, social care, and family support services, helping you make a lasting impact in your community.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Youth Social Worker Pathway will be well-prepared for a variety of entry-level roles in care, education, and community support settings. These roles provide valuable experience and a stepping stone into more advanced positions.

Potential job titles include:

These roles are essential in promoting wellbeing, safeguarding and positive development among children, young people, and families.

Key information

Entry Requirements

Technical Entry Requirements:

Age: 19 years or over (19+)

Additional Non-Qualification-Based Entry Requirements:

DBS Check: While a DBS check is not required for enrolment on the course, it is essential for those seeking employment working with children, young people or vulnerable adults. This check is usually arranged through placement or employment.

These entry requirements ensure that students are adequately prepared for the course and any subsequent employment opportunities in settings involving children and young people. Additionally, students should have a basic level of proficiency in English and Maths.

Fees and funding

Whilst many adult courses are fully funded for 19+ learners, funding can depend both on the course itself and/or the learner's personal circumstances, including their current income levels and previous qualifications.

To find out if you might be eligible for full or partial funding or for an Advanced Learner Loan (Level 3 qualifications only), please visit our Financial Support section. You will also find more information here about additional financial support you might be entitled to such as help to cover childcare and equipment costs.

Extra costs and equipment

There are no additional costs associated with this course. 

What will I learn?

The Youth Social Worker Pathway is made up of several qualifications, each focusing on a key area of knowledge and practice:

Substance Misuse Awareness – Understand the effects of drugs and alcohol, prevention strategies, and support services.
Alcohol Awareness – Explore the impact of alcohol on health and society, and how to support individuals affected by misuse.
Stress Awareness – Learn about the causes and effects of stress, and how to manage it in yourself and others.
Introduction to Health, Social Care and Children’s and Young People’s Settings – Gain insight into care values, safeguarding, communication, and the roles within care settings.
Children and Young People’s Workforce (Level 2) – Develop practical skills in safeguarding, child development, communication, and supporting learning and behaviour.

Each course builds your understanding and prepares you for real-world roles in youth and social care.

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

While most courses in the pathway do not require mandatory placements, learners are encouraged to gain voluntary or part-time experience in relevant settings such as schools, youth centres, or care organisations. The Level 2 Certificate in Children and Young People’s Workforce does require a practical placement to demonstrate competence.

At Blackpool and The Fylde College, your learning is enriched through guest speakers and employer engagement events. These sessions feature professionals from youth services, social care, and health sectors who share real-world insights and offer valuable networking opportunities.

How will I learn?

Our courses are delivered through a blended learning approach, combining the flexibility of digital resources with the benefits of face-to-face teaching. While some elements of the course may be accessed online, this is not an online-only course—you will be required to attend in-person sessions at scheduled times throughout the programme. 

Our courses are taught in hybrid teaching rooms, allowing learners to attend live sessions either in person or online. The programme primarily focuses on theoretical knowledge but also includes practical hands-on elements to enhance learning and application. This flexible approach ensures that students can engage with the material in a way that best suits their needs.

Interactive Lectures: Engaging lectures that encourage student participation and discussion.

Group Work: Collaborative projects and activities that foster teamwork and communication skills.

Practical Workshops: Hands-on sessions where students can apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios.

Online Resources: Access to a wealth of online materials, including videos, articles, and interactive modules.

This flexible yet structured approach ensures that you receive the guidance, peer interaction, and practical experience needed to succeed in the health and social care sector.

Expert tutors

All tutors involved in the delivery of adult courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

Our recruitment process ensures that tutors delivering a given programme are suitably qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice. The aim of this is to enrich our students’ learning experience and enable them them to get the inside track on what working in the industry is really like.

How will I be assessed?

Students will be assessed through a combination of methods designed to evaluate their understanding and practical application of the course material. The assessment process is structured to ensure that students can demonstrate their knowledge and skills effectively.

Assessment Methods:

Portfolio of Evidence: Throughout the course, students will compile a portfolio of evidence that showcases their learning and achievements. This portfolio will include various forms of assessment such as written assignments, case studies, and practical tasks.
Written Assignments: These assignments will test students' understanding of theoretical concepts and their ability to apply this knowledge to real-world scenarios.
Case Studies: Students will analyse specific situations, demonstrating their problem-solving skills and ability to provide appropriate care and support.

Grading:

The course is assessed on a pass or fail basis. Students must meet all the assessment criteria for each unit to achieve a pass.
The portfolio of evidence is a crucial component of the assessment process, as it provides comprehensive proof of the student's competence and understanding.