Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People FdSc

What makes The Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People FdSc course Special?

A mental health and wellbeing role is crucial in enabling some children and young people to achieve an enjoyable and fulfilling life. Whilst studying this foundation degree you will explore some of the key mental health and wellbeing issues that children and young people face. As a result you can make a significant difference by providing support and guidance to children and young people when they need it. Local delivery in a study group supports you to be successful in your study and the requirement of attendance at two weekend (Friday evening and Saturday daytime) sessions each year is structured to support you to engage with students on your course from across the country. As work based practice is a key part of this course you have the potential to earn whilst you learn and study with like-minded people across a range of other related professional roles based in your own community.

This course is provided by the University of Worcester's Partner Institution The Learning Institute and is delivered both online and at Learning Institute centre venues which range across Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, London and Somerset, (though not on the University of Worcester campus). The running of the degree and of individual groups will be subject to minimum numbers.

Overview

Key features

The use of weekly learning sessions, either face-to-face learning in local venues or online, enabling you to balance study, work and home demands.
Work based learning provides you with a key opportunity to connect your academic and professional learning with the expectation that students have access to 10 hours per week across the study year.
You will share your study with students across a small number of interrelated programmes.
There is the opportunity to progress to a BSc top-up on completion. The course can be used to support you on your route into teacher training.

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What qualifications will you need?

32

UCAS tariff points

Entry requirements

We consider applications from individuals from a wide range of prior educational and employment experiences. For all applicants, current or recent experience of working with children or young people, such as employment or work in a voluntary capacity within a work setting, is desirable.

For those holding level 3 qualifications, such as A levels, BTEC National Diplomas, Access to HE Diplomas or equivalent qualifications, we are looking for 32 UCAS tariff points.

The University and the Learning Institute are committed to providing education to all those who can demonstrate the potential to benefit and succeed. Applicants who do not hold level 3 qualifications such as those outlined above will be considered on the evidence of relevant experience and related learning.

Evidence of level 2 literacy is required, for example key skills or functional skills at level 2 or GCSE English Language at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have evidence of literacy at level 2 or above then you will be expected to complete an essay to demonstrate competence in written English.

Other information

A Disclosure and Barring Service Check is required for this course. Relevant forms will be sent by Admissions on receipt of a firm acceptance of a place on the course.

Applicants should note that the course requires students to be working or volunteering in a relevant setting for a minimum of ten hours per week, throughout the course.

What will you study

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. If there are insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this might not be offered, but we will advise you as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative.

Year 1	Supporting academic skills Professional enquiry Promoting the enabling environment Introducing the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people Human growth and development
Year 2	Understanding our personal and professional selves Practitioner enquiry in action Identification and support of mental health and wellbeing of children and young people Therapeutic interventions and interpersonal communication Agency in children and young people

How will you be taught?

This mode of delivery involves a blended learning approach. You are taught through a combination of face-to-face learning and tutorials with additional interactive online learning alongside independent study time. Online learning is mostly in a virtual learning environment (VLE) called Blackboard. You will require a basic level of ICT competence and computer and software including access to broadband and an up-to-date web browser. Face to face learning takes place in small study groups providing opportunities to interact with other students across a small number of interrelated programmes. These study groups provide you with a supportive peer learning environment where you can develop your skills and share your learning. In addition, meetings with personal academic tutors are scheduled on at least four occasions in the first year and three occasions in each of the other years of a course.

Both face to face and online learning take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion, small group activities and individual learning. Group and individual tutorials enable the discussion and development of knowledge, key concepts and skills as well as providing supporting as you approach key assessments.

In addition to the weekly learning sessions, there will be twice yearly Friday evening and Saturday daytime set study sessions provide the opportunity to work with other students on this Foundation Degree from across the county giving you an additional layer of peer support and networking opportunities.

Work based learning is a major component of the course. You are expected to have access to 7 hours per week either working or in a voluntary capacity across the study year in an appropriate environment working with children and young people. This time gives you an opportunity to explore the concepts, practices and policies studied in a professional context.

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 from Student Services and Library Services, and also the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will help you to flourish and be successful.

Contact Time

In a typical week you will have around 5.5 hours of planned learning sessions either face-to-face or online. In the first year around half of these sessions will take place in your study venue with slightly less in the second year. Additionally there will be 7 hours weekly in a work placement. The planned learning sessions will comprise a range of learning activities which will change week to week depending on whether they are face-face or online and from module to module.

Independent self study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to undertake around 20 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 using the online library,, as well as preparing coursework assignments and presentations.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities including the virtual learning environment containing learning and academic study resources and extensive electronic learning resources.

Duration

2 years full time

Timetables

Scheduled teaching will take place on the same single day each week and you will be aware of the day and timing of these sessions at least two months before registration. Detailed timetables are normally available one month before registration. Additionally there is the expectation that all students attend the twice yearly Friday evening and Saturday daytime set study sessions as these are an integrated part of the study programme.

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 professional practitioners from across the fields of study covered by the degree programme. Teaching is informed by the research and consultancy and is based on considerable experience of practices in the field.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of 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 coursework assessments such as essays, reports, critical reflections, portfolios and presentations. A typical formal summative assessment pattern for each year of the course is:

Year 1

Literature review
Patchwork
Essay
Case study analysis
Report
Reflection
Presentation
Critical reflection
Evidence of the accumulated 200 work based learning hours

Year 2

Critical reflection
Poster presentation
Essay
Case study analysis
Patchwork
Presentation
Portfolio
Evidence of the accumulated 200 work based learning hours

Feedback

You will receive feedback on practice assessments and on formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to support learning and you are encouraged to discuss it with personal academic tutors and module tutors as appropriate.

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.

Where could it take you?

The course can provide you with the self-confidence, skills and knowledge to develop your career working with children and young people. This work based approach to learning can put you at an advantage over other degree courses as you will be in a position to show your understanding of mental health and wellbeing practices in action. You will be well prepared to work in education settings, children's centre working or additional care provision in statutory, voluntary and private organisations. The majority of students complete a top-up year to gain a full honours degree with some moving on further into masters level study.

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How much will it cost?

Full-time tuition fees	UK and EU students The standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2023/24 academic year 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 enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2023/24 academic year is £14,700 per year. For more details, please visit our course fees page.
Additional costs	You will be expected to purchase key texts for each module; the list of key texts will be available 4 weeks before registration and will be set out in the reading lists. It is likely that you will choose to purchase other texts as you become familiar with your specialist research areas. You will need to pay for a new Enhanced DBS before the start the course. You will need to access 10 hours per week in an appropriate work based setting. If this is not your current employer then you will need to make arrangements for this which may including travel costs. It is expected that you will have access to your own computer and printer. As some of the learning is online it will be necessary for you to have as a secure internet to enable you to access materials and engage with the virtual learning environment. It will be necessary to provide your own personal stationary throughout the course however, printed handouts will be provided for each taught session when necessary. You will need to source and pay for 1 Friday night's accommodation and meals for each of the 4 weekend conferences across the 2 years of the course.

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard fee for full-time home and EU undergraduate students enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2023/24 academic year 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 enrolling on BA/BSc/LLB degrees and FdA/FdSc degrees in the 2023/24 academic year is £14,700 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Additional costs

You will be expected to purchase key texts for each module; the list of key texts will be available 4 weeks before registration and will be set out in the reading lists. It is likely that you will choose to purchase other texts as you become familiar with your specialist research areas.

You will need to pay for a new Enhanced DBS before the start the course.

You will need to access 10 hours per week in an appropriate work based setting. If this is not your current employer then you will need to make arrangements for this which may including travel costs.

It is expected that you will have access to your own computer and printer. As some of the learning is online it will be necessary for you to have as a secure internet to enable you to access materials and engage with the virtual learning environment.

It will be necessary to provide your own personal stationary throughout the course however, printed handouts will be provided for each taught session when necessary.

You will need to source and pay for 1 Friday night's accommodation and meals for each of the 4 weekend conferences across the 2 years of the course.

How do you apply?

Applying through UCAS

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

L525

Apply Via UCAS

Who to contact in the case of queries

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

The Learning Institute Recruitment and Admissions Team

degrees@learninginstitute.co.uk

01726 891807