This "Working with Children & Young People: Social Pedagogy BA (Hons)" degree equips students to support children, young people, and families in various settings. Students gain practical experience through placements and develop employability skills, research abilities, and innovative ideas to benefit children, young people, and families.

This degree, "Working with Children & Young People: Social Pedagogy BA (Hons)", equips students for careers supporting children, young people, and their families in settings like healthcare, social care, education, and youth justice. The program emphasizes the young person's control over their life, with students working alongside them. Endorsed by the Social Pedagogy Professional Association (SPPA), the course covers children's law and rights, safeguarding, child development, life transitions, ethics and diversity, and relationship-based professional practice. Students gain practical experience through two work placements in settings such as youth justice, early intervention, health services, schools, and children's centers, with the option to choose a placement aligned with their personal passion.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Core Modules:
• Social Pedagogy Practice Values and Ethics (30 credits):
This module introduces students to the concepts of diversity, values, and ethics through participatory learning, class debates, workshops, and seminars. Students engage with a partner organization to tackle a social care challenge, applying their values-based thinking to propose solutions. Lectures delve into the core principles and theories of social pedagogy values and ethics. Students engage in interactive sessions, including skills workshops and participation from individuals with lived experience and representatives from partner agencies. Students receive feedback on written work and engagement skills. Extracurricular opportunities like volunteering are encouraged to consolidate learning. It covers family relationships, identity, life transitions, and issues facing children and young people in society, drawing on theories from psychology and sociology.

Year 2:

• Core Modules:
It explores theoretical and practical perspectives for realizing rights in both national and international contexts. Students learn how social pedagogy practitioners use educational, therapeutic, and creative skills and methods in settings like care, special educational needs, youth and community work, and social work.
• Practice Experience: Local and International Contexts (30 credits): This module provides practical experience in local and international settings.
Students gain insight into approaches and practices within their placement settings, enhance their knowledge of pedagogical approaches, and critically reflect on their practice experience.

Year 3:

• Core Modules:
• Practice Experience 2: Planning for your future career (30 credits):
This module helps students explore career opportunities and pathways in working with children and young people, providing them with a six-week placement experience. Students develop job and career knowledge and apply it to investigate other career possibilities. They can find their own placements or receive placement assistance. This module also prepares students for life after university and employment.
• Developing Creative Approaches to Working with Children and Young People (30 credits): This module allows students to investigate and design a product that could benefit children and/or young people.
They identify an area of interest related to a current issue or concern and use their knowledge, skills, and placement experience to develop a practical idea. This process emphasizes child-centered practice, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
• Working with Children and Young People: Capstone Project (30 credits): This final year capstone project allows students to synthesize and apply their knowledge and skills through an in-depth study of a personal area of interest related to working with children and young people.
They demonstrate academic rigor, critical application of theory, and understanding of research and evidence-based practice.
• Working with Children and Young People in Context: Relationships and Professional Practice (30 credits): This module explores the importance of relationships in working with children and young people.
It examines current issues and dilemmas facing various professionals, including social workers, nurses, teachers, and Early Years practitioners. Students learn strategies to support children and young people in professional practice, including scriptwriting and critical analysis of professional practice.

Assessment:

• Year 1: Coursework (75%), practical exam (25%)
• Year 2: Coursework (80%), practice experience (20%)
• Year 3: Coursework (80%), practice experience (20%)

Teaching:

The course incorporates a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, small group tutorials, placements, project work, practical sessions, workshops, conferences, and field trips. The teaching faculty includes qualified social workers, social pedagogues, and practice educators with experience in various social care settings.

Careers:

The program prepares students for a range of roles in education, social care, health, early years, and youth services. Potential career paths include:

• Youth offending team officer
• Youth worker
• Family support worker
• Social work assistant
• Nursery and Early Years practitioner
• Teaching assistant
• Healthcare support worker
• Maternity support worker
• Nursing support worker
The program is also excellent preparation for postgraduate studies in social work, nursing, and primary teaching.

Other:

• The program incorporates "Future Skills" within its curriculum, emphasizing graduate skills like problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.

Fee category Amount Home (UK students) £9,250 International Year 1 (2025/26): £18,500 Year 2 (2026/27): £19,200Year 3 (2027/28): £19,900 Fee category Amount Home (UK students) £9,250 International Year 1 (2024/25): £17,800Year 2 (2025/26): £18,500Year 3 (2026/27): £19,200 A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. This decision only applies to new EU students starting after 2021/22.

Kingston University

Overview:

Kingston University London is a UK-based university recognized for its high-quality teaching and student experience. It features in the QS World University Rankings league table of the world's top universities.

Services Offered:

Kingston University offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Academic Support:

Guidance and resources for academic success.

Career Services:

Support in finding internships, jobs, and career development.

Accommodation:

On-campus and off-campus housing options for students.

Wellbeing Services:

Mental health support, counseling, and other resources.

International Student Support:

Dedicated services for international students, including visa assistance and cultural integration programs.

Library and Learning Resources:

Extensive library facilities and online learning resources.

Student Union:

A vibrant student union with clubs, societies, and social events.

Student Life and Campus Experience:

Kingston University provides a dynamic and engaging campus experience. Students can expect:

Active Student Union:

Opportunities to join clubs, societies, and participate in social events.

Vibrant Campus Life:

A lively campus environment with a range of activities and events.

Supportive Community:

A welcoming and supportive community of students and staff.

Location Advantages:

Located in Kingston upon Thames, a historic town with excellent transport links to London.

Key Reasons to Study There:

TEF Gold Rating:

Recognized for its high-quality teaching and outstanding student experience.

Future Skills Focus:

Emphasis on developing future-ready skills through embedded modules in all undergraduate courses.

Strong Industry Links:

Close connections with businesses and industries, providing opportunities for internships and career development.

Diverse and Inclusive Environment:

Committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Academic Programs:

Undergraduate Study:

A wide range of undergraduate programs across various disciplines.

Postgraduate Study:

Master's and doctoral programs in various fields.

Research:

Active research programs with a focus on areas like healthcare, technology, and the arts.

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships:

Opportunities to combine work and study through apprenticeships.