Skip to main content
Apply now
Apply now
Entry Requirements icon

Entry Requirements

You’ll need 48 UCAS points to join this programme. In addition, for this programme, you will be required to have a GCSE (or equivalent qualification) at grade 4/C or above in English, or an equivalent level 2 qualification in English.

Study Mode icon

Study Mode

Full time

 

Duration icon

Duration

1 year

 

Timetable icon

Timetable

Check with your tutor


Key Features & Benefits

  • Gain a Higher Education qualification in one-year of full-time study
  • Validated by Lancaster University
  • Choose to extend your qualification by joining the second year of the Foundation Degree in Working with Children and Young People

The Certificate in Higher Education (Cert HE) in Working with Children and Young People is a new type of qualification available for students wishing to start a Higher Education qualification in September 2022. The course is validated by Lancaster University.

  • Overview

    You will be able to complete this qualification in just one year of full-time study which makes it ideal if you are looking to start a new career sooner. If, at the end of the your year of full-time study, you wish to continue your Higher Education journey with us, you will be able to join the second year of our Foundation Degree in Working with Children and Young People. This will enable you to achieve a Foundation Degree in two years of full-time study.

    This is a new flexible type of qualification for students who may not be able to commit to three years of full-time academic study.

    This course should appeal to you if you need to fit studying around other commitments or if you are looking to take your first step into Higher Education after a gap of study.

    This course provides an excellent preparation for a wide range of occupations including careers in pastoral roles in education, family support work, social care, community support roles, employment within local authorities, health or the charity sector. 

    This qualification is intended to ensure that those students who wish to work with children and young people are equipped with the knowledge and skills to support their emotional development and stability. It combines underpinning academic knowledge and work-based learning and assessment to allow students to understand how current policy and trends inform the working environment.

  • What will I study?

    The Certificate in Higher Education (Cert HE) in Working with Children and Young People comprises 6 modules.

    All of these modues are mandatory and you will need to successfully complete all of these modules in order to achieve the qualification.

    Level 4 Modules (all modules are mandatory) include:

    • Child and Adolescent Development
    • Ethical, Legal and Professional Responsibilities
    • Effectively Supporting Children and Young People
    • Reflective Practice
    • Research Methods
    • Integrated and Multi-Agency Working
  • Entry Requirements

    You’ll need 48 UCAS points to join this programme. In addition, for this programme, you will be required to have a GCSE (or equivalent qualification) at grade 4/C or above in English, or an equivalent level 2 qualification in English.

    All applicants must show that they have a good level of spoken or written English, and if English is not your first language you’ll need to demonstrate the ability to study in English.

    Applicants who do not meet the standard entry criteria but have relevant work/life experience will be considered on an individual basis and may be invited to interview.

    You'll need a clear current Disclosing Barring Service (DBS) check at a cost of around £50 to be paid by the student.

    This qualification is a higher education qualification in its own right and it may be appropriate that some students take this 1+1+1 route to achieving their honours. Even if an application to a foundation degree is made you may advise that this route is better for the potential student and make the offer of the Cert HE.

    Care Leavers or Young Carers

    We want students from all backgrounds to have the opportunity to go to University. If you have spent three months or more in local authority care OR are a young carer, you will be eligible for a contextual offer. This is a grade reduction of 1-A Level grade below our standard entry requirements. For example, a standard offer of CCC, would become CCD. MMM at Level 3 Extended Diploma would become MMP. To apply we advise that you tick the box on your UCAS application which identifies you have spent time in care and to help identify you as eligible for our contextual offer.

  • How will I be assessed?

    During the course you'll be assessed through a variety of methods. These include:

    • Essays
    • Seminars
    • Examinations
    • Portfolios
    • Dissertations
    • Reports
    • Group presentations
    • Projects and mini-dissertations
    • In class tests
    • Peer assessment
    • Group assessment

    This formal assessment will count towards your module mark and feedback is usually given within 3 weeks following the submission of your formal submission of work.

    Additionally, some lecturers will provide informal feedback, for example, following an examination they may choose to work through the exam paper in a tutorial. It should be noted that feedback is part of the ongoing learning cycle which is not limited to written feedback. Other forms of feedback include one-to-one meetings with a personal tutor, dissertation and project supervision meetings, a lecturer responding to learner questions or responses during topic or situation discussions. 

    Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.

  • Teaching and Learning

    The learning environment and facilities could include lecture theatres, classrooms, technology suites, laboratories and workshops, library and skills labs, art and photography studios, small group and quiet zones. Learning methods will vary according to the programme of study but will include lectures and group tutorials. In addition, seminars, field trips, work placements, role play or scenario activities, laboratory and workshop practical, demonstrations, guest lectures, discussions and debates all contribute to the learning experience to support the acquisition of subject specific skills and knowledge and the development of transferable and employment related skills.

    You should typically expect to have around 15 contact hours per week if you are studying full time.

    In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor.  

    You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course.  The team could include senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers.  You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

    Timetables

    We endeavour to make timetables available one month before you start your course.  Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week.  Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week. 

    Overall Workload

    Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, around 15 hours of independent learning and assessment activity and any field trips which may take place.

     

    Academic Support

    We have a dedicated Student Engagement Team who will be able to provide support in the following areas;

    • Study Skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
    • Written English
    • Academic Writing (including referencing)
    • Research Skills
  • What can I do next?

    The Certificate in Higher Education (Cert HE) in Working with Children and Young People is a valuable qualification in its own right preparing the students for employment within a range of roles.

    For those wishing to continue with their studies, entry onto the Foundation Degree in Working with Children and Young People, which is delivered for one further academic year, full-time, is permitted.

    The course provides an excellent preparation for a wide range of occupations including careers in pastoral roles in education, family support work, social care, community support roles, employment within local authorities, health or the charity sector. 

    The types of roles you could consider could include: Advice Worker, Family Support Worker, Youth Worker, Community Development Worker.

    For those wishing to continue with their studies at University Centre at Blackburn College, you must have successfully completed the Certificate of Higher Education Working with Children and Young People to gain entry onto Year 2 of Foundation Degree in Working with Children and Young People, which is delivered for one academic year, full-time. 

2 woman sat at desk whilst one shows something on a laptop