Children, Young People and Families - Foundation Degree (Progression from Cert HE)

It's not too late to start your degree-level journey with B&FC this September. We're here to guide you through your options and help you make the right choice for your future. Call: 01253 504322 or Email: admissions@blackpool.ac.uk

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Summary

This is a progression course from the Children, Young People & Families - Certificate of Higher Education to Foundation Degree level.

The Foundation Degree in Children, Young People and Families is validated by Lancaster University and is aimed specifically at individuals who wish to work in a variety of settings with children, young people and/ or families. The FdA intends to develop your knowledge of the theoretical principles which underpin child development, youth work and family studies in a variety of contexts.

You will examine a range of subjects such as safeguarding, risk and resilience, services and interventions, and managing teams. Such knowledge will provide you with the opportunity to develop holistically as a practitioner and to explore the range of settings and services which benefit from understanding such a wide ranging yet comprehensive subject.

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

Black and white logo for Lancashire & Cumbria Institute of Technology.

Entry Requirements

Successful completion of the Children, Young People and Families - Certificate of Higher Education is a pre-requisite of entry onto the programme.

You will be required to have a professional discussion with one of the tutors prior to an offer being made which is assessed against prescribed criteria available on request, and secure an enhanced DBS for voluntary work if you are not in paid employment within the sector (this will be the responsibility of the student to pay for unless provided by the employing organisation). All students are expected to undertake a minimum of 4 hours per week in either paid or voluntary employment, working with children, young people or families and must have been in practice at least 6 weeks prior to the programme commencing. Employment hours must be maintained throughout the duration of the course as requirement and prospective students will be required to provide written evidence of their employment prior to enrolment onto the course. 

  • Course code SM1HE132
  • UCAS code L516
  • Duration 1 Year
  • Day/s of week Wednesday
  • Time 09:15 - 16:45

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
September 2026
University Centre
1 Year
September 2027
University Centre
1 Year

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

The key benefit of completing the Foundation Degree is the opportunity to enhance your professional practice, apply your learning to practice, and to achieve a graduate level qualification, which can lead to a variety of further graduate career and study pathways. A robust understanding of working with children, young people and families is a highly sought after attribute by employers, and will enable you to develop confidence as a practitioner.

Employment Opportunities

There are several employment prospects that students can transition into upon achievement of the Foundation Degree, these include:

  • Family Practitioners and Senior Family Support Workers
  • Youth Justice Health and Wellbeing Worker
  • Youth Residential Team Leader
  • Community Connectors
  • Children, Young People and Families Project Worker

Key information

Qualification obtained

FdA 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, including additional financial support for those on low incomes, with dependent children or adults, or with disabilities.

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 Institute: 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.

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.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

The Foundation Degree has a mandatory work experience element throughout the both years of study and in the final year of the BA (Hons) programme. The work experience element can be achieved through either paid or voluntary employment however, should a DBS be required for employment, this will be the responsibility of the student to obtain.

The work experience element provides you with the opportunity to learn and apply the skills and knowledge that you have acquired from your academic studies. You must be in paid or voluntary employment in the sector for a minimum of 4 hours per week throughout the duration of each academic year, however concessions will be made to accommodate special circumstances on a case-by-case basis.

Your paid or voluntary employment should have commenced at least 6 weeks to the course commencing and you are required to provide evidence of your employer supporting your attendance on the course. 

  • Modules at level 5

    Module title Code Credits Optional
    Work Based Learning SM5MD226 20 No
    Policy and Legislation SM5MD227 20 No
    Statutory Childrens Services SM5MD228 20 No
    Inclusive Familiy Practices SM5MD229 20 No
    Practitioner Skill Development SM5MD230 20 No
    Leading and Managing Teams SM5MD231 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.

Student case study - Shirley

Why did you choose B&FC?
I looked at different courses but realised I needed to start from scratch with my GCSEs to build the right entry qualifications. Going to B&FC meant I could study all the qualifications I needed in one place. It just made sense.

What have been the benefits of studying here?
Smaller class sizes which means everyone gets one-to-one help and a really friendly, supportive atmosphere which makes going back into education so much easier.

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 staff 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 0 273 0
Independent 0 897 0
Placement 0 30 0
Total 0 1200 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 - Certificate of Higher Education

    View course

  • Adult Health & Social Care - Certificate of Higher Education

    View course

  • Teaching and Learning Support - Foundation Degree

    View course

How will I be assessed?

Assessment Method Level 4 Level 5 Level 6
Coursework 0% 82% 0%
Exam 0% 0% 0%
Practical 0% 18% 0%