Program Overview

Safeguarding Children

PGCert

Attendance

Part-time

Campus

Preston Campus

Start

September 2025

Duration

1 year

Delivery

In-person

Our PGCert in Safeguarding Children is designed for professionals and employers looking to develop their teams. Whether you’re a recent graduate or an experienced practitioner, this course is for you.

A valuable opportunity to deepen your knowledge and enhance your practice in safeguarding and child welfare, you’ll develop specialist insight into children’s rights, participation, and protection, while exploring a broad range of practical, legal, and theoretical approaches. This will strengthen your ability to work critically, creatively, and confidently in a range of professional contexts.

Over the past 30 years, services for children, young people, and families have undergone significant transformation. These changes demand a workforce equipped with the right knowledge, values, and skills, particularly around multi-agency working, inclusive practice, and listening to the voices of children and young people.

On this course, you will:

• Build skills in integrated and multi-agency working
• Develop a strong understanding of relevant policy and legislation
• Learn how to support inclusive, child-centred practice
• Examine safeguarding issues within a global and culturally diverse context

This course is particularly relevant in light of ongoing government priorities to raise the standards and recognition of professionals working with children. It also supports employers in ensuring their teams are guided by current research, sector expertise, and international best practice.

Whether you're upskilling yourself or investing in your team, this PGCert offers a flexible, research-informed route to advancing safeguarding practice.

Why study with us

• Learn from experienced practitioners with real-world expertise, and deepen your understanding of current research, policy, and issues in children and young people’s services.
• Critically reflect on your own practice and drive positive change, ensuring children and young people’s voices are heard and valued.
• Study online in the evening, allowing you to balance learning with work and personal commitments, wherever you're based.

What you'll do

• The School has a research profile of national and international significance because of its contributions to the development of child care practice and research.
• We’ll provide learning opportunities to enhance your decision-making skills in complex safeguarding situations involving children and young people.
• You’ll benefit from the multi-disciplinary backgrounds and experiences of others on the course, mirroring the importance of multi-agency work to underpin all contemporary children’s services.

Modules

Compulsory modules

• Safeguarding Children
  • This module will provide learning opportunities and development for you to acquire knowledge in practice and policy which safeguards children. You will acquire the tools to understand safeguarding children with diverse needs including those arising from domestic violence, disability and minority ethnic perspectives.
  • Module code: SW4033
• Theorising Childhood and Adolescence
  • This module aims to encourage those working, or planning to work, with children to develop critical perspectives on childhood. The module will consider dominant theoretical positions about childhood and critically explore how such perspectives impact on the way children are treated in our society, including the extent to which their rights are supported.
  • Module code: SW4085

Optional modules

• Childhood in Law and Welfare
  • This module aims to give you a critical understanding of the part law plays in interpreting childhoods and constructing appropriate roles for children. You will study key legislation and policy initiatives both in the UK and internationally.
  • Module code: SW4032
• ASYE: Demonstrating Capability in Social Work Practice
  • Designed for newly qualified social workers, this module will allow you to consolidate your social work knowledge, skills and values in your specialist area of practice. You'll critically reflect on and review your development to facilitate enhanced performance and service delivery.
  • Module code: SW4701

Entry requirements

• Applicants should hold at least 2:1 degree in related subject
• Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits in the light of the nature and scope of the programme and if they have experience
• Non-standard entrants are encouraged and in appropriate cases accredited prior learning and or professional experience may be substituted for a first degree in line with current academic regulations
• Typically applicants will hold a professional qualification that can be accredited as relevant prior learning

Fees and funding

2025/26

UK

Part-time £1,050 per 20 credits

Additional costs

As part of your course there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees. Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer many scholarships, bursaries and funds to support you during your studies. Select your country or region to see if you are eligible and how to apply.

Learning and assessment

Each of the three modules consists of five to six taught sessions. These include a mix of tutor delivered input, interactive discussions, candidate-led seminars, problem solving activities and directed reading.

Assessment is by coursework and includes seminar presentations, a poster presentation, essays and critiques.