A classroom scene with adult students collaborating on child studies, simulating an interactive primary school classroom.

Children, Young People and Families - Certificate of Higher Education

Start your degree-level journey supporting children and families

If you’re looking to develop or advance your career working with children, young people and families, this one-year Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) in Children, Young People and Families at Blackpool and The Fylde College provides a strong academic and professional foundation.

About the Cert HE Children, Young People and Families course

Validated by Lancaster University, this Level 4 qualification is designed to help you build practical skills, deepen your knowledge and apply theory directly to professional practice. It is ideal for those already working in the sector, as well as learners aspiring to move into roles across children’s, youth and family services.

The course takes a holistic approach to understanding children, young people and families within a range of social, educational and community contexts. You’ll explore key themes such as child development, safeguarding, risk and resilience, services and interventions, communication, reflective practice and professional values. Throughout your studies, you’ll be encouraged to link theory to real‑world practice, helping you develop confidence and effectiveness as a practitioner.

Why study this course at Blackpool and The Fylde College?

  • Strengthen essential academic, digital and interpersonal skills
  • Develop the adaptable, reflective and collaborative skills need to work in this challenging and rewarding field
  • Learn in a supportive, career-focused environment
  • Benefit from expert tutors with strong links to professional practice
  • Study in a small, friendly, inclusive institution where you're more than just a number
  • Course code SM1HE121
  • UCAS code L515
  • Duration 1 Year
  • Day/s of week Thursday
  • Time 09:15 - 16:45

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
07 Sep 2026
University Centre
1 Year

Before applying, please check whether you meet the entry requirements under 'Key Information' for this course. Don't hesitate to call us on 01253 504343 if you need assistance.

  • 86,694 Annual job openings in the North West
  • £25,650 Average annual salary
  • Well-resourced onsite training equipment

What Uni Reviews

Really enjoyed my time at uni, the tutors have unconditional support for all students. *****
- Jessica Halliwell
Amazing course. Learnt so much, tutors are fantastic. *****
- Kelly Broadbent
Tutors and HELMs are fantastic! *****
- Bethany Daniels

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Where can a Certificate of Higher Education in Children, Young People and Families take me?

Career progression

Completing the Cert HE in Children, Young People and Families can open the door to a wide range of rewarding career and progression opportunities across children’s, youth and family services. The qualification equips you with sector‑relevant knowledge, practical skills and professional confidence valued by employers, supporting entry or progression into roles such as family support work, childcare practice, youth services, community and voluntary organisations, and pastoral support roles. 
 
It also provides a clear academic pathway onto the Foundation Degree and BA (Hons) Children, Young People and Families, enabling further progression into graduate careers or postgraduate study in areas such as social work, teaching, nursing, youth and community development, and related professional training routes
 

 

Next steps at B&FC

Progression to the 2nd year of the Foundation Degree in Children, Young People and Families is the next step for students who successfully complete this qualification.

Employment Opportunities

There are several employment prospects that students can transition into having completed their studies successfully. These include:

  • Lead Children & Young People’s Practitioner
  • Assistant Childcare Practitioners
  • Children’s Residential Youth Mentor
  • Youth Development Officer

Key information

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

To be considered for this course, you’ll need:

  • GCSE English at grade 4 (C) or above, or Functional Skills Level 2
  • GCSE Maths at grade 4 (C) or above or Functional Skills Level 2 (desirable)

You’ll also need a minimum of 48 UCAS points from a relevant Level 3 qualification, such as:

  • BTEC Extended Diploma in:
    • Children and Young People’s Workforce
    • Early Years Workforce
    • Health and Social Care
    • Supporting Teaching and Learning
    • Or a related subject
  • A Level or NVQ Level 3 in a relevant subject
  • Access to HE Diploma in:
    • Health
    • Nursing
    • Social Science

Additional Requirements

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  • Professional discussion with a course tutor to check the course is right for you
  • Enhanced DBS required (student‑funded unless employer covers)
  • Minimum of 4 hours paid or voluntary work per week in relevant field for the duration of the course
  • At least 6 weeks’ experience before the course starts
  • Written evidence of work/placement required before enrolment

 

 

Entry Requirements(Non-traditional entry route)

If you are applying as a student, who has not followed the traditional routes into higher education, we will consider your application on a case-by-case basis. Applicants who are able to demonstrate relevant work/life skills or knowledge will be considered provided they have a minimum Level 2 equivalent qualification in a related subject. 

 

Qualification obtained

CertHE Children, Young People and Families

Fees and funding

Visit our Tuition Fees page and Financial Support for Degrees page for more information about fees and funding.

Extra costs and equipment

No special equipment is required as a full range of IT is available within the Learning Resource Centre for enrolled students. Students may wish to purchase a computer (desktop or laptop) as all assessments are submitted electronically and the relevant software can be provided by the College free of charge.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: Lancaster University

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and conditions

Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.

What will I learn?

  • Modules at level 4

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Constructions of Childhood Youth and Families SM4MD168 20 No
    Creativitiy and Adaptation SM4MD169 20 No
    Services and Interventions SM4MD170 20 No
    Safeguarding SM4MD171 20 No
    Risk and Resilience SM4MD172 20 No
    Academic Skills Health and Education SM4MD201 20 No

Learning Support - at a glance

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

Programme Specification

Download our Programme Specification for this course.

A young girl engrossed in a book, highlighting a positive and enriching learning environment.
A woman facilitates playtime with children using toys during an early childhood session.
A woman and a young boy smile in a vibrant early childhood playroom filled with toys and materials.
A young girl engrossed in a book, highlighting a positive and enriching learning environment. A woman facilitates playtime with children using toys during an early childhood session. A woman and a young boy smile in a vibrant early childhood playroom filled with toys and materials.
A young girl engrossed in a book, highlighting a positive and enriching learning environment.
A woman facilitates playtime with children using toys during an early childhood session.
A woman and a young boy smile in a vibrant early childhood playroom filled with toys and materials.

How will I learn?

Scheduled Learning

Scheduled time relates to the time you spend in directed study with the guidance and support of our academic tutors. Scheduled learning can take a variety of forms and will vary from one course to the next, but may include lectures, seminars, tutorials, project supervision, demonstrations, studio or workshop time, fieldwork and external visits.

Independent Study

Higher education courses rely on students undertaking work outside of formal, scheduled sessions and this is generally categorised as independent study. Independent study might include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks and revision.

Expert tutors

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

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

Learning Methods

Learning Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Scheduled 285 0 0
Independent 885 0 0
Placement 30 0 0
Total 1200 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 and Families - Foundation Degree

    View course

  • Adult Health & Social Care - Certificate of Higher Education

    View course

  • Mental Health and Resilience - Certificate of Higher Education

    View course

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 65% 0% 0%
Exam 0% 0% 0%
Practical 31% 0% 0%