Why study with us?
- Get hands-on practical experience of how children, youth and family services work when you complete professional work placements as part of your degree.
- Learn from the experts. Our lecturers are active researchers and experienced practitioners, with extensive experience in the field of child and family work.
- Develop the skills and knowledge to enter a wide range of professional roles in child, youth and family work.
Course modules
You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Year 1
During your first year, you will study five core modules.
Working with Families - Core
Apprentices will explore effective practice with children and families within the theoretical and policy context of modern family intervention in this module.
The module emphasises systematic and considered approaches, delving into the paramountcy of children’s welfare, national and local policies, and values in anti-oppressive practice.
Apprentices will develop communication skills, assess family dynamics, critically evaluate media representations, and gain an international perspective, emphasising professional and academic communication with consistent referencing styles.
Sociology and Psychology of Childhood - Core
Get an introduction to fundamental concepts used in social sciences and childhood studies.
You'll use basic analytical tools from sociology, family studies and childhood studies to study the national and international context of children, young people, families and communities.
Safeguarding and Child Protection - Core
Explore safeguarding and protecting children.
You'll consider current legislation and policy along with relevant current research findings.
You'll engage with current procedures and understand the frameworks practitioners are expected to operate within.
We'll make specific reference to the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the current statutory frameworks.
You'll learn the different categories of abuse and develop the expertise outlined in current policies and legislation.
Ethics, social justice and cultural differences will be a theme running through this study.
Health and Wellbeing - Core
You’ll examine the concept of health including its contribution to wellbeing, using theory and research to explore factors that have both a positive and negative impact on family health.
You’ll learn the contribution of health education and health promotion, and identify positive approaches that facilitate family health improvements.
Academic Skills, Personal and Professional Development - Core
In the first semester, you'll get to know about university and academic life at Leeds Trinity University.
You'll develop self-confidence, motivation and team-working skills.
Find out about different kinds of assignments and grading criteria.
We'll also teach you how to reference your work and show you how we check for plagiarism.
You'll develop your time management, critical thinking, digital and independent study skills, and find out how to make the most of your tutors.
In the second semester, we'll focus on your personal and professional development.
You'll consider ethical, sustainability and social justice issues related to work.
You'll develop employability, digital, and money management skills.
Find out about local, regional, national and global issues relevant to the professional sector.
Plan for your future career and development, and improve your study skills and module marks.
Year 2
During your second year, you will study five core modules.
Trauma-informed and Responsive Practices - Core
You’ll be introduced the approaches of trauma informed and responsive, relational and restorative practices employed across a myriad of service provision contexts as well as in education.
Learn about the principles of trauma informed practice and the theory underpinning this. You’ll be presented multiple models of trauma-informed practices employed on an individual and whole system level. This will include links to the impact of inequalities on specific communities who have experience exclusionary practices.
We’ll enable you to develop responses in practice to children and young people with experiences of trauma, distinguishing between various responses to find appropriate ways of working with trauma experienced children and young people in an inclusionary manner.
You’ll focus on developing the practice needed to address the needs of trauma experienced children and young people in various service and educational contexts.
Violence in the Family: Addressing Needs and Risks - Core
Consider the impact that violence in the family has on the person experiencing it and on others living in the household, including children and young people.
You'll explore and analyse different theories and responses to this social problem.
You'll learn about family violence in the context of culture and ethnicity, and across the life course, from babies to the elderly.
You'll also look at the professional responses to addressing needs and risks, and make links between theory and practice in the national and international context.
Research Methods and Evidence Based Practice - Core
Explore a series of research methods, including their key features, usefulness and application in different contexts.
You'll critically examine research methodologies, with an emphasis on ethical research conduct.
You'll evaluate the usefulness of research methodologies to explore specific research questions, problems and designs.
You'll reflect on ethical issues relating to children, families, communities and professional settings.
You'll understand how to design, conduct and write up research, and understand the relationship between research, policy and practice.
Professional Placement - Core
There are three stages to the module - preparation, work placement and reflection.
You'll have workshops to develop your employability skills, analyse your career prospects and go through the practicalities of getting and undertaking a professional placement.
You'll complete a short weekly reflective log reflecting upon the practical skills gained through your placement experience and what you have learnt about applying theoretical understanding in practice.
Sustainability of Children’s Rights - Core
Examine key national legislation and national/international principles relating to policy for children and families, including the impact of key perspectives on children’s rights and the UNCRC.
Explore key tensions and complexities involved in the legal construction of children in national and international policy. You’ll have the opportunity to critically explore tensions and complexities reflected in legislation and policy, particularly contemporary tensions between English law and the UNCRC.
Reflect critically on the different constructions of children present in law and the way in which law both reflects and influences wider social, cultural, political and localised practices.
Year 3
During your final year, you will study five core modules.
Difficulties Families Face with Therapeutic Interventions - Core
Explore problems contemporary families may face and the service support available locally and nationally, focussing on parental empowerment.
You'll critique the role of the government and the conflict between family rights and state intervention.
We'll then look at therapeutic support for families.
You'll study therapeutic interventions and associated theoretical approaches.
You'll make links between theory and practice, looking at research from national and international perspectives.
Professional Learning Through Work - Core
You'll develop a theoretical understanding through practical work-based development in of your chosen context, this could be in a public, private or community sector.
Children, Families and the Justice System - Core
You'll explore the current state of theory, practice and evidence relating to working effectively with children in the youth justice system and examine how children and families may be impacted by criminal behaviour and the justice system.
You'll debate the development of the contemporary youth justice systems, the construction of the youth offender, and the impact crime may have on a family and community of support. This includes considering the impact of the historical development of the youth justice system and how this intersects with the contemporary social construction of children – nationally and internationally.
Through critical discussions, you'll consider preventative youth justice strategies and the links between policy, practice and outcomes, especially when considering the social justice agenda and engage in debates about regulating and controlling young people, the role of the state, solutions to the problems families face and promoting sustainable change for long term outcomes.
You'll undertake a critique of effective practice across several important domains, including engaging with children, assessment and planning interventions and custody or resettlement.
Research Project - Core
Complete an independent investigation or undertake a work-based project.
You'll apply the principles and practices introduced in the Research Methods module at Level 5.
You'll get the opportunity to extend your engagement with employers.
Once you have identified an area of inquiry, you can do a practical investigation, theoretical study or work-based project in negotiation with an employer.
You'll inform your investigation or project with a selected literature review and gather evidence with due regard to ethical concerns and international contexts, where appropriate.
Therapeutic Interventions with Children and Families - Core
Demonstrate your knowledge, skills and understanding of a specific and identified need from a practice-based scenario by planning a range of therapeutic approaches and interventions for a child, small group children or a family.
Negotiate your own chosen area of need, support or development gaps that you will specialise in.
You’ll discuss and critique a range of intervention strategies, incremental planning and associated theoretical approaches.