Course overview
Do you work in a role that supports children? Are you ready to progress your career to the next level? Supporting Families and Communities focuses on the skills and knowledge required for people working in the children and families’ workforce. Ideal for anyone who works to support children in social, family, voluntary, charitable or youth services, this foundation degree gives you the chance to expand the knowledge you’ve developed in your career so far.
Course content
You’ll study a range of topics relevant to the implementation of governmental legislation, policies and strategies, gaining new academic skills that will help you to perform your role more effectively. These include learning and social development, communication skills, team working strategies, interventions, and health and welfare issues in the field of children’s services.
Studying alongside fellow professionals, you’ll reflect on your practical experience by looking at what you know and do well, as well as how you can improve your knowledge to be more effective. You’ll graduate with a highly regarded qualification that will improve your work performance and your career opportunities. You can also use it as a stepping stone to study at Honours degree level.
This is a work-based learning degree, so you’ll spend at least two days a week with an employer to reflect on theory and practice. Our students usually complete this with their existing employer. If you’re not employed, you can volunteer with a relevant organisation for two days a week. Work-based employment can be in schools, children’s centres, nurseries, children’s services for local or voluntary sectors, and provision for young people or those with specialist needs.
Modules
The module details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Students will study a combination of core and option modules.
Modules by Year
Year 1
Core modules (students are required to take):
- Values and Roles of a Principled Professional
- Theories of Learning and Development
- Power, Inclusion and Diversity of Need
Students are required to choose one option module from:
- Healthy Teams Supporting Healthy Children, Families and Communities
- Creating an Ideal Play Environment
Year 2
Core modules (students are required to take):
- Safeguarding and Promoting Wellbeing
- Reflecting on Research Informed Practice
Students are required to choose one option module from:
- Specialist Co-ordinator Roles
- Behaviour and Learning in an Interconnected World
Students are required to choose one option module from:
- Risks, Rights and Social Justice in a Sustainable Society
- Play and Early Learning
Teaching and Learning
The teaching team at Barnsley College aim to provide with an excellent student experience and provide you with the tools and support to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional potential.
Focussing on the following
- High quality teaching
- An engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
- A clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study
- We have a strong reputation for developing student employability, supporting your development towards graduate employment, with relevant skills embedded throughout your programme of study
We endeavour to develop curiosity, confidence, courage, ambition and aspiration in all students through
- Student Involvement and Engagement
- Inclusion
- Integrated Programme and Assessment Experience
- Digital Literacy and Skills
- Employability and Enterprise
To help you achieve your potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and real-world activities. This approach ensures that you fully engage in shaping your own learning, developing your critical thinking and reflective skills so that you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape your own development.
We believe the secret to great learning and teaching is simple: it is about creating an inclusive learning experience that allows all students to thrive through:
- Personalised support
- Expert lecturers
- Strong connections with employers
- An international outlook
- Understanding how to use tools and technology to support learning and development
