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What makes Integrated Working with Children & Families at Worcester special?

For children and young people, life can be full of complexity, characterised by unceasing change and development. Integrated working brings the various professionals, practitioners and volunteers that make up the children's workforce together, placing the child or young person at the centre of their network of support.

This degree will prepare students for a career working with children, young people and families across a range of education, health and social care environments. The course relates to the study of children from birth to 19 years.

At Worcester, we take a multi-disciplinary approach, which allows you to develop your expertise from a range of different perspectives, whilst fostering respect for children, their families, and other professional roles - essential components for an integrated children's service.

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • Ideal for experienced practitioners, or those with a relevant diploma (ie, HND) or foundation degree, from across the children's workforce, who wish to enhance skills and expertise with a view to career development
  • Flexible study options, including full and part-time options, and an online route that blends distance learning with face-to-face contact via our Flexible & Distributed Learning pathway.

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"The lecturers at the University of Worcester are so knowledgeable and passionate about what they teach that you cannot fail to be inspired by them."

Colette Churchill, Integrated Working with Children and Families BA graduate

Entry requirements

What qualifications will you need?

Entry requirements

Foundation Degree, HND or Dip HE or equivalent in Early Years, Learning support, Childhood studies or a related subject

GCSE grade C/4 in Maths and English as course entry requirements are desirable but students are reminded that their employment sector may require these qualifications.

An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check.

Supportive academic reference.

Non-standard entry routes will also be considered. We encourage applications from candidates who can provide evidence of their ability to work at Level 6 and substantial experience of working with children and families through integrated service provision. If your qualification is not listed, please contact Registry Admissions for advice.

Other information

If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the Admissions Office on 01905 855111 or email admissions@worc.ac.uk for advice.

Further information about the UCAS Tariff can be obtained from the UCAS website.

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Course content

What will you study?

The course content and structure have been developed to reflect a student-centred approach, enabling students from diverse but relevant educational and professional backgrounds to build on previous learning and experience in working with children and families. Reflective thinking and action are essential to your engagement with lifelong learning and professional development. The subject draws on different disciplines and professional backgrounds to reflect the complexity of children and young people's lives and their development. You will be supported in the development of a personal philosophy of professional values and continuous improvement to your practice and service provision for children and their families.

This is a third year of study for students with an HND or Foundation degree in Early Childhood, Early Years, Learning Support or with an equivalent academic professional qualification relevant to working with children, young people or families. This course leads to an Honours degree in Integrated Working with Children and Families.

To gain an Honours degree, students will undertake four modules in total, including an independent study. These can be studied over one year (full time) or over 2 years (part time).

There are options to study at the University of Worcester, online (Flexible and Distributed Learning), at Halesowen College (evenings) or at Herefordshire and Ludlow College.

Download the frequently asked questions document

Entering on a flexible pathway made the study fun, achievable and fitted in with work commitments. Also the lecturers were very knowledgeable, supportive and professional.

Tracey Hicks, Integrated Working with Children and Families BA graduate.

Integrated Working with Children & Families graduate Dale Ramsey

Dale Ramsey

I graduated from the University of Worcester in 2016 after completing a BA (Hons) Integrated Working with Children and Families. The course has been invaluable to me both personally and professionally; the timetable enabled me to carry on working part-time as both Deputy Manager and Nursery Manager during the three years of my degree. In addition to the lecturers’ vast knowledge of the modules on the course, my peers really aided my reflection skills and enabled me to evaluate how to enhance my own practice further. My current role of Operations Manager enables me to be the driving force of quality improvement in a small chain of private day nurseries; I manage a team of managers and ensure that each setting complies with all areas of legislative guidance and continues to provide exemplary care and education to all children and families.

Integrated Working with Children & Families graduate Craig Pugh on graduation day

Craig Pugh

My name is Craig Pugh and I am a previous student from Worcester University. I started an Early Years Foundation Degree through Worcester University and completed my degree at Worcester by doing the BA (Hons) Integrated Working with Children & Families.

The Integrated Working with Children & Families course provided me with opportunities to work with staff and students from a variety of professions, which has built my confidence as a practitioner. The staff at Worcester University were very supportive throughout the course. You also get the opportunity to work at a setting to improve your practice and talk to professionals who can help you achieve your ambitions.

Since finishing my course, I am now Teaching Assistant within an SEN setting, working towards my HLTA qualification. I work alongside many professionals and a lot of young people aged 16+ with a variety of different needs. My job is so rewarding and the course at Worcester provided me with the confidence and positive attitude that is needed within my role.

Integrated Working with Children & Families graduate Shabnam Iqbal

Shabnam Iqbal

My name is Shabnam Iqbal and I have been studying this course whilst looking after 3 children and a home as well as attending a placement. I found this course very enjoyable and practical as the assignments are mainly based on reflection of practice based learning activities through lectures and embedding theory to practice practically. The course helps you to gain confidence in working as a professional in any working environment related to children and families. Additionally, the teachers are very helpful and responsive which allows students to feel comfortable and be open about discussing any issues that can have an impact on their learning which helps students to feel calm and focus on their learning goals.

Ahzan Ghalib

I am a former student of University Worcester. I chose to do a BA (Hons) in Integrated Working with Children and Families on a part time basis and continued to work full time as a nursery nurse, alongside being a mother of a toddler and expecting a new baby. Needless to say I found the balance difficult, finding time to fulfil all aspects of my life was extremely challenging and definitely had its array of good and bad days but I managed to do it with the undivided support of my tutor, my peers and my family. I completed my degree with an upper second class degree and the sense of accomplishment and pride most definitely outweighed all of the struggle I had once faced. I stood there at my graduation to an array of applause and realised It was all worth it. If I am able to do it, then anyone can!

Teaching and assessment

How will you be taught?

The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support through the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful.

Teaching

You are taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, online learning activities, group discussions, problem-based learning and directed individual study. An important aspect of this course is learning from others, and so there is significant emphasis on working in groups with other students who have different backgrounds and experiences. Problem-based learning will allow you to work with a fictional family in a real life situation, with stories unfolding as the year progresses. Students studying modules online will have opportunities to work in groups during workshop days at the University.

In addition, you will meet with personal academic tutors on at least 4 occasions throughout the year.

You should spend a minimum of one day a week in practice with children or young people; this can be in the form of paid work or a student placement.

Contact time

In a typical week you will have around 12 contact hours of teaching (full time students).The precise contact hours will depend on whether you choose to take all 4 modules in a year as a full time student, or two modules per year for 2 years as a part time student. There will also be workshops to support independent studies and 1:1 supervision with your supervisor.

Typically, class contact time will be structured around:

  • 1 hour lecture, followed by 2 hour seminar activities per module per week
  • 3 hours individual study per week + 6 Saturday workshops spread over the year for online students

Independent self-study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to undertake around 5 hours of personal self-study per week. Typically, this will involve completing online activities, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library and online, preparing for assignments and presentations.

A range of excellent learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment and extensive electronic learning resources, supports independent learning.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics with backgrounds in primary teaching, early years, play work, social work, counselling, nursing, and management. Teaching is based on research and consultancy. All of our course lecturers have a higher education teaching qualification and are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through practice or 'formative' assignments. Each module has one or more formal or 'summative' assessments, which are graded and count towards the overall module grade.

Assessment methods include essays, reports, presentations and position papers.

The precise assessment requirements for an individual student in an academic year will vary according to mode of study, but a typical formal summative assessment pattern for each year of the course is:

IWCF3003 - position paper
IWCF3004 - essay
IWCF3005 - report
IWCF3002 - independent study

Feedback

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal coursework assessments. Feedback on examination performance is available upon request from the module leader. Feedback supports your learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

We aim to provide you with feedback on formal course work assessments within 20 working days of hand-in.

Programme specification

For comprehensive details on the aims and intended learning outcomes of the course, and the means by which these are achieved through learning, teaching and assessment, please download the latest programme specification

Careers

Where could it take you?

Employability

Integrated Working with Children and Families graduates should have knowledge of the education and care of children from birth to 19 years, giving foundation for a range of careers working with children, families and other professional disciplines, including social work, health services and children's charities.

For those wishing to become teachers, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is an option.

Cover of the 2020 University of Worcester prospectus

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Costs

How much will it cost?

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fee for full-time UK and EU students registering in the academic year 2021/22 is £9,250 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students registering in the academic year 2021/22 is £13,100 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fees for part-time UK and EU students registering on this course in the academic year 2021/22 are £1,156 per 15-credit module, £1,542 per 20 credit module, £2,313 per 30-credit module, £3,083 per 40-credit module, £3,469 per 45-credit module and £4,625 per 60 credit module.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Additional costs

Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses.

If your course offers a placement opportunity, you may need to pay for a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Hall' at £108 per week to 'En-suite Extra' at £184 per week (2021/22 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.
How to apply

How do you apply?

Applying through UCAS

Integrated Working with Children & Families BA (Hons) Top-up Degree - Flexible and Distributed Learning (Single Honours) LX53 BA/IWCF

UCAS is the central organisation through which applications are processed for entry onto full-time undergraduate courses in Higher Education in the UK.

Read our How to apply pages for more information on applying and to find out what happens to your application.

UCAS Code

LX53

Apply via UCAS (Full-time) Apply Via Sole (Part-time)

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Admissions office

admissions@worc.ac.uk
01905 855111

Angela Hodgkins

Course leader
a.hodgkins@worc.ac.uk
01905 855261

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