Working with Children, Young People and Families

Working with children, young people and families is a field of professional practice and academic study concerned with the welfare, development and rights of children and young people across a range of settings. It draws on developmental psychology, sociology, social policy and ethics to build an understanding of how children grow and learn, what puts them at risk, how families function under different kinds of pressure, and how practitioners in education, health, social care, youth work and the voluntary sector can support positive outcomes. It is a discipline shaped by a genuine commitment to the wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable members of society.

At Sheffield Hallam University, this part-time programme offers a flexible route into study for practitioners who are already working with children, young people and families or who are balancing study with other responsibilities. You will explore contemporary topics in child and family services, examining the policy context in which services operate, the evidence base for different approaches to support and intervention, and the ethical principles that guide good professional practice. The programme includes placement experience, giving you real-world professional development alongside your academic studies, as well as opportunities to engage with international partner organisations through volunteering abroad.

Graduates move into a wide range of professional roles, including early years practice, youth work, family support, children's social care, residential care, education welfare, play work and community development. For many, this foundation degree is a stepping stone to further qualification, with top-up routes to a full honours degree and progression to postgraduate professional training in social work, teaching, child and adolescent mental health or educational psychology. The reflective and analytical skills developed, combined with supervised practice experience, provide a strong foundation for any career dedicated to supporting children, young people and the families around them.