Working with Children, Young People and Families

Working with children, young people, and families is a professional field concerned with supporting the wellbeing, development, and rights of some of the most vulnerable and important members of society. It draws on psychology, sociology, social work, education, and child development to understand the needs of children and families and to develop the skills and knowledge needed to support them effectively. Practitioners work across a wide range of settings including schools, youth organisations, children's centres, social care services, health settings, and voluntary sector organisations, taking holistic approaches that consider the child within the context of their family and community.

At the University of Bradford, this three-year full-time programme includes a foundation year to build the academic foundations needed for the main degree. You will explore the theoretical underpinnings of work with children and families, with a focus on synthesising theory and practice throughout. The curriculum covers communication, childcare law, and modules in sociology and psychology, giving you both the conceptual frameworks and the practical orientation that work with children demands.

An optional Learning from Practice module in the second year gives you the opportunity to develop practical skills in a real working context, bridging the gap between academic learning and professional experience.

Graduates of working with children, young people, and families programmes pursue careers across the children's workforce, including roles as youth workers, family support workers, children's centre practitioners, early intervention workers, and staff in residential care and voluntary sector organisations. The degree also provides a strong foundation for further professional training in social work, teaching, educational psychology, or counselling, for those who wish to develop specialist expertise. The combination of sociological, psychological, and legal knowledge the programme develops is valued by organisations across the statutory, voluntary, and private sectors that work with children and families.