Working with Children and Families (Top up)

If you're looking to start a career working with children and their families, then why not top up your degree to specialise in the field?

This route is designed for students who already have an FdA or HND (level 5), this programme will allow you to boost your qualifications to bachelor's degree level. Many of our top up students come from work settings and we welcome the wealth of personal and professional experience, and ensure you are welcomed warmly into the existing group and quickly become part of our learning community. 

The programme will develop the knowledge and skills you need for a career across a range of professional areas (such as adult and children's social care, youth groups, charities, community organisations, schools, nurseries), or for entry into further postgraduate study e.g. primary and secondary teaching, social work, psychology. This programme makes strong links between theory and practice, and deals with issues relevant to today's society .We are very focused on employability, and on preparing students to take up careers across the children's workforce and in our communities, understanding how different organisations work together, and developing research and academic skills alongside professional skills. 

No matter what line of work you eventually choose, whether it's for local authorities or not for profit organisations and charities, you'll have the ability to reach the top of the career ladder. We focus on local, national and global issue which are relevant to people's lives today, such as outdoor learning and play, crime and youth justice, equality and diversity, mental health and physical well-being, the impact of technology on our lives, gender and sexuality. In the top up year you will be supported on working on a dissertation/ independent study on a relevant topic of your own choosing, drawing on your previous experience and new areas you wish to explore. 

**Why Choose University of Cumbria**

- Integrated working - The programme has a strong theme of interdisciplinary work and offers opportunities for interprofessional study, reflecting changes in the youth and community work sector.

- Work experience - Professional placements at each level will equip you with the opportunity to integrate the knowledge, understanding and skills into tangible practice.

- Applied course and assessments - The course features a high number of applied tasks and assessments such as report writing, designing creative resources, evaluating services, ensuring that you have all the practical skills you need to go out into the field.

- Highly skilled tutors with strong links in the field - Our tutors are all experienced youth work and community development practitioners and highly skilled researchers.

- We have links with over 100 youth work organisations across the region and international relationships too. This ensures that your programme is informed by recent practice.

- International placement opportunities - As well as including a globalisation theme, we also offer opportunity to study a semester in Toronto in your level 5 year of study (subject to additional costs).

- Enriched learning - In addition to our experienced tutors, you'll learn from a range of visiting speakers, monthly seminars, annual conferences and termly fieldwork supervisor events

- Fresh research - Our tutors are active researchers, exploring areas such as empowerment and agency, gender and identity in young children and interpersonal violence - which means your studies will be informed by the latest research

- Boost your employability - You'll pick up a range of additional qualifications during your studies, including the Safeguarding Certificate, First Aid Certificate, Mental Health First Aid Lite Certificate and Institute of Leadership and Management Certificate

- High student satisfaction - We scored over 95% in overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2019