Our Childhood Practice Graduate Diploma will give you the skills and knowledge to deliver quality services to children and their parents in an early years setting.
Your studies will include learning within childhood; leadership and management; and reflective practice and research.
Learning approaches are based on extending your knowledge to support and enhance practice through analysis of critical incidents using problem-based learning. Learning and assessment is embedded in work-related practice and builds upon your prior learning and existing knowledge to meet the regulatory requirements for lead practitioner employment. Modules include:
Our course is professionally recognised by the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC).
Our course consists of six modules at SCQF Level 9. All modules include ‘strategy projects’ undertaken in the workplace, which develop and enhance the links between theory and practice and involve critical reflection. There is also the opportunity for you to undertake research into a topic of special interest.
Modules
Teaching & Assessment
Learning approaches are based on extending your knowledge to support and enhance practice through analysis of critical incidents using problem-based learning. Learning and assessment is embedded in work-related practice and builds upon your prior learning and existing knowledge to meet the regulatory requirements for lead practitioner employment.
Work-based learning forms part of the assessment so employment for more than 16 hours per week is necessary. You must also have employer support and a mentor from your area of practice to support your studies.
You will be assigned a personal tutor and online tutoring support is available. You will also use Personal Development Planning to track your progress, plan your future development and enhance your future employability.
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Childhood Studies at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
This course aims to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of children and childhood.
Performance:
- strong links with a range of international networks and similar university departments in Europe and around the world
Teaching and Employability:
- excellent learning experience and cross cultural views because of international student cohorts
- opportunity to continue studies to pursue a PhD supervised by a well-qualified member of the team
- opportunity to take part in a local field trip
The course in Childhood Studies is designed for a wide range of professionals working with children.
A broad range of topics are covered and students are encouraged to critically reflect on their practice and address theory and research relevant to their own interests in Childhood Studies.
The Childhood Studies course will:
- reflect upon the nature of childhood as a concept and the way in which it comes to be construed as it is
- consider holistic child development in contemporary society
- reflect on childhood and family policy in a variety of contexts
- consider professional roles (one’s own and others) in relation to services for children and their families
- encourage critical analysis of research in relation to childhood
- encourage professional reflective practice.
Modules on the Childhood Studies course may include:
Researching Childhood
Understanding and Observing Child Development
Child Health
Children's Rights and Safeguarding Children and Young People
Perspectives on Play
Advanced Practice with Children
Therapeutic Work with Children
Childhood Illness
Childhood Nutrition and Growth
Team members are active researchers and their work is well published in Childhood Studies.
Childhood Studies students are encouraged to publish their own research – thereby demonstrating the high quality of their work.
Team members include:
Amy Brown – an expert in child health
Jill John – an expert in safeguarding and children’s rights
Pete King – an expert in child development and children’s play across children’s services.
Justine Howard – an expert in child development and play across children’s services
Zac Maunder – an expert in children’s emotional health
The College of Human and Health Sciences has a vibrant postgraduate community with students drawn from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities. The College is known for its friendly, welcoming and supportive environment, which combined with its extensive facilities, state-of-the-art technology and superb beachside location, helps to ensure that students benefit from an exceptional student experience.
In addition, Childhood Studies students have access to a wide range of excellent facilities and equipment for realistic workplace experiences.
This is an intensive interdisciplinary programme, designed to explore issues such as child law and how it is implemented through policy and practice, and the implications of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child for child welfare, disability, education, family studies, juvenile justice, social policy and social work.
This programme responds to the increasing importance of the study of childhood in disciplines as widespread as philosophy, sociology and geography. It offers an opportunity to develop skills in research and consultation with children and young people.
You’ll examine the implications of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and gain knowledge and analytical perspectives on particular areas of legislation, policy, theory and practice that affect children. The programme benefits from the childhood studies expertise of academic staff across the University.
Teaching combines lectures, seminars and tutorials, plus a combination of essays and assessed coursework. You will complete three compulsory courses and three option courses followed by an independently researched dissertation.
This qualification serves both as a conversion course if you wish to pursue careers working with children or children’s issues, and as a career development opportunity if you already have experience in these fields.
Graduates have gone on to a variety of posts, such as employment with national and international non-governmental organisations, research posts and PhD study, and national and local government positions.
You will develop a range of transferable skills, such as communication and project management, which can be applied to roles in any field.
Safeguarding children is a high profile area of work, where decision making carries a high order of risk for children, their families and those engaged with them. There is a pressing demand for professionals and others across a wide range of disciplines and sectors to develop an in-depth knowledge of child protection work and to demonstrate effective, evidence based skills. The Postgraduate Certificate in Safeguarding Children was developed to offer opportunities for continuing personal and professional development through the development of in-depth knowledge to support practitioners and others whose work or research interests lay within the wide range of services for children, young people, their parents or carers. The multi-disciplinary backgrounds and experiences of candidates are an important value added element of the course, mirroring as it does the multi-agency working which underpins all contemporary children’s services and is required by legislation and guidance.
Sessions are scheduled on Wednesdays and typically run 3 -5pm, to accommodate candidates who are combining professional careers with CPD. Each of the three modules will consist of around 12 class sessions. These include a mix of tutor delivered input; interactive discussions; candidate lead seminars; problem solving activities and directed reading.
Assessment is by coursework and varied: methods include seminar presentations, the preparation of a training pack, a poster presentation, essays, critiques.
Child health and social care has received considerable support under the government's modernising agenda leading to an increase in child care provision, employment opportunities and a growing evidence and academic knowledge base. The school has been active in developments in child care practice and research and has developed a strong child care research group which has contributed to our success in establishing a research profile of national/international significance. Against this background we provide relevant, up-to-date and accessible courses in child care at postgraduate level including the Postgraduate Certificate in Safeguarding, the MA in Contemporary Practice with Children and Young People and PhD opportunities.
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Developmental and Therapeutic Play at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
The Developmental and Therapeutic Play course aims to consider the developmental, educational and therapeutic potential of play at an advanced academic level through the combination of demanding intellectual work and sophisticated practical reflection.
Teaching and Employability:
- taught by well published academics and specialist practitioners
- access to a multi-disciplinary team with strong links to similar university departments in Europe and around the world
- hands on practical workshops as well as lectures and seminars
- good record of graduate employment
- employability supported by the university-wide careers service as well as the teaching team
- numerous links with local businesses to increase prospects for work experience
- fieldwork experience included as part of the programme
- excellent teaching and learning experiences and cross-cultural insights developed through an international cohort
- opportunity to pursue a PhD supervised by a well-qualified member of the team
The Developmental and Therapeutic Play course is a modular postgraduate programme consisting of 180 credits at level M.
The course is offered on a part-time basis with completion typically within three years.
Developmental and Therapeutic Play examines how children’s play develops and how children develop as they play. It explores evidence based play practice across a range of professional contexts. Play is an important element of provision across all Children’s Services in the UK and beyond. Graduate employment prospects are wide ranging and past students have secured a range of interesting posts.
The Developmental and Therapeutic Play course offers the perfect opportunity to study children’s play at an advanced academic level, combining theoretical work with fieldwork experience and high-level reflection. It is taught by internationally recognised and well published academics in the field.
The Developmental and Therapeutic Play course aims to deepen students’ understanding of the developmental and therapeutic potential of play. This includes how the environment and social interactions support children’s growing repertoire of play skills, with a particular emphasis on the inherent value of children’s self-directed play experiences.
The developmental, educational and therapeutic potential of play across multiple contexts are also considered i.e. inclusive play practice, observation, assessment and being able to identify when further professional assistance may be required.
Modules on the Developmental and Therapeutic Play may include:
Play Theory and Practice
Researching Childhood
Perspectives on Play
Understanding and Observing Child Development
Therapeutic Work with Children
The Developmental and Therapeutic Play course is highly regarded resulting in specialist positions in education, international aid, counselling and pastoral care, social work, hospital/healthcare and playwork.
Graduates have secured posts in domestic violence teams, the prison service, hospitals and schools. Some have also set up their own businesses or have gone on to pursue further training in play therapy, counselling, psychotherapy or clinical psychology.
The College also offers supervision for Developmental and Therapeutic Play students who wish to continue their studies in this field at PhD level.
Voluntary work throughout the course is encouraged.
The College also provides career information and relevant job advertisements as well as career tutorials. Past Developmental and Therapeutic Play graduates are involved in future teaching and publication of student research is encouraged.
The College of Human and Health Sciences has links with a number of local children’s services who may be prepared to offer volunteering or work experience opportunities.
Gaining experience is vital to building a strong CV and increasing employability on graduation.
Team members are active researchers and their work is well published.
Many past Developmental and Therapeutic Play students have published their research or presented their findings at seminars and conferences. This is encouraged and supported by the academic team and demonstrates the high quality of work being produced.
The College of Human and Health Sciences has a vibrant postgraduate community with students drawn from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities. The College is known for its friendly, welcoming and supportive environment, which combined with its extensive facilities, state-of-the-art technology and superb beachside location, helps to ensure that students benefit from an exceptional student experience.
In addition, students have access to a wide range of excellent facilities and equipment for realistic workplace experiences.
The MA Advanced Professional Practice (MAAPP) has been developed in consultation with local authorities as part of the South Yorkshire Teaching Partnership, to support social work professionals to continue to develop their knowledge and skills as professionally capable, reflective and analytical practitioners.The course supports professional practice under four strands:
Each module developed for the programme has been mapped against the Government’s reform agenda for social work education, and is compliant with capabilities listed in the Knowledge and Skills Statement (KSS) for Social Workers.
Our graduates are academics, researchers and health and social care professionals. Others become managers or administrators in the public and private sectors.
Our teaching is rigorous and research-led. We encourage you to think critically, to learn research techniques and develop transferable skills. We also help you to develop the personal attributes that will make you highly employable. The department is a friendly place, where staff and postgraduates work together as colleagues.
Our interdisciplinary approach brings together sociologists, social policy analysts, social workers and social anthropologists. Our empirical research is internationally recognised. We make significant contributions to policy debates.
Topics covered include, amongst others:
Teaching is conducted through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, small-group work and problem-solving.
Our Child Studies MA is a multidisciplinary course designed to meet the needs of professionals and graduates working or intending to work with or on behalf of children and young people. The course is aimed at anyone in a child safeguarding role, including social workers, child and family lawyers, named or designated health practitioners, teachers, police officers and NGO staff.
The Child Studies MA is a demanding course that concentrates on an academic and analytical approach to modern-day issues of childhood. The course features a range of modules that are highly relevant to those who are working or intending to work with vulnerable children. We welcome graduates from a variety of disciplines and professions including medicine, education, law, social care, psychology and sociology.
The course combines a range of required and optional modules to a value of between 180 and 190 credits. In addition to a required dissertation, you will take required modules covering Children’s Rights and Child Protection, and then choose from a wide range of relevant optional modules, such as Global Childhoods, Child Health & Development, and Psychology and Learning.
Designed for professional and personal development, as well as academic. We aim to enable you to develop a multidisciplinary approach to childhood issues within the context of current policy developments. Students come from a variety of disciplines and professions including medicine, education, law, social care, psychology and sociology.
Teaching
We use lectures, seminars and group tutorials to deliver most of the modules on the course. A significant proportion of teaching on the course is delivered by expert external lecturers, both academics and practitioners. You will also be expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study. Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
The teaching contact time for each 30-credit taught Child Studies module is typically 30.5-32 hours. In addition each module will involve one hour of supervision/Q&A time. The typical teaching contact time for each 30-credit taught ‘Education’ optional module is 20 hours. Teaching sessions will usually include lectures, and teacher-led and student-led group discussions based on the main areas of study.
There are 12 hours of teaching for the internship module; this is supplemented by the support of Careers and Employability and mentoring through the internship itself. Students also complete at least 160 hours of employment. Each 30-credit taught module has 267-280 (or 288 for the internship module) hours of self-guided learning time.
For the dissertation module, you will receive 22 hours of research methods training. You may also choose to take research methods as an optional module. You will also receive six to eight hours of dissertation workshops, plus nine additional hours of individual dissertation supervision, to complement the approximately 561-563 hours of self-study.
Contact hours for optional modules taken outside of the course, may vary.
Assessment
This course is assessed by a combination of essays, reports, examinations, presentations, research proposals and case studies. Your assessment methods will be determined by your choice of optional modules. The dissertation is an extended piece of writing of 16,000 words.
Our graduates frequently progress to senior practitioner posts involving child-related work. Recent graduate destinations have included Anna Freud Centre, Barnardo’s, St Christopher’s residential child care services and local authority children’s services.
This programme provides training for individuals in outcomes-based CBT interventions to promote psychological wellbeing in children and young people. This Master's programme is aimed at professionals already working in the field of children's services, including social care, education and health, who hope to gain skills they can practise in the workplace.
The programme will develop participants’ knowledge and skills in cognitive behavioural based interventions with children and young people experiencing a range of difficulties in social and emotional aspects of their development. Participants will also develop skills in evaluating the impact of their own work, in order to be able to reflect on and modify practice in future.
All candidates should initially enrol for the Postgraduate Certificate (modules 1-4, 60 credits).
On completion they should make a decision to terminate their studies at that point or apply to progress to Diploma (modules 5–8, 60 credits) and MSc (dissertation module, 60 credits).
Core modules
Certificate
Diploma
MSc
Optional modules
There are no optional modules for this programme.
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a substantial dissertation.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, and taught by leading practitioners in the field. Teaching is a combination of lectures, workshops and seminars. A core component of the programme is videoing of students' CBT practice which is discussed in small practice tutor groups during each teaching day.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Children and Young People MSc
The programme is aimed at applicants in relevant employment and supports career progression.
Employability
CBT for children and young people is one of a number of evidence-based interventions for common childhood problems and disorders. The demand for professionals with skills in this area in known to be high and is likely to grow. Students will have a (Certificate/Diploma/Master's) UCL qualification in CBT with children and this will be much valued by employers looking to develop this type of intervention within their service. Several of our students have been funded by employers who want to increase their supervisory capacity in CBT and this is likely to be a trend that will continue.
The programme is based and taught at the Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, the leading national charity supporting young minds through innovative therapeutic practice, training and research. The vision of the centre is a world in which children, young people and their families are effectively supported to build on their own strengths to achieve their goals in life.
Students benefit from the centre's collaboration with UCL; they gain the advantages of studying within the intimate and vibrant environment of the centre, together with access to the facilities and resources of UCL - an internationally renowned university.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Division of Psychology & Language Sciences
83% rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
If you work in health or social care and want the chance to boost your career prospects and level of user service, study for an MSc in Safeguarding and Promoting Child Wellbeing for the opportunity to positively influence the future – for yourself and for the next generation.
Fully flexible and developed to reflect the growing importance of child welfare and safeguarding, this course is designed to provide up-to-date skills and knowledge for health and social care professionals from a range of relevant backgrounds, such as nursing, mental health and local authority staff, midwives and support workers. We work collaboratively with NHS North West and other NHS organisations to deliver a comprehensive programme that covers topics such as child care law, child protection, safeguarding, and issues that relate to child and family health and wellbeing.
You’ll have the opportunity to develop professional knowledge, skills and confidence through critical thinking, policy analysis, problem solving, teamwork and leadership exercises, working on your theoretical understanding in lessons and applying this knowledge in practice with a focus on user and carer needs and experiences. To fit around your personal or professional circumstances, this course can be completed in single, stand-alone professional development modules at level HE7 or as a Master’s programme.
This programme in Child Health reflects the need for the NHS to deliver basic academic training in paediatrics to all trainees in Scotland, and to formally cover the level 2 Framework of Competencies for Training in Paediatrics outlined by the accrediting body, Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health (RCPCH).
The Certificate is a mix of online and face-to-face teaching. Twenty 6-hour days of face-to-face teaching are delivered through the academic year, and these are supplemented by online lectures, formative exercises and compulsory reading. This allows a collegiate atmosphere to develop with less disruption to clinical experience. This certificate course will reward the trainees 60 units of credit on completion.
The content is split into five compulsory sections
A trainee must take all sections spanning a maximum of four academic years but typically over two years although some trainees will manage to complete all section during one academic year.
This programme is designed for current and aspiring leaders and managers in childhood practice who have, or are willing, to undertake a practitioner qualification. It provides a practice-based examination of the theoretical approaches important to leadership and management within childhood practice.
You will take six core courses. Courses will be delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and group project work.
If you have a leadership role in childhood practice settings (or are looking for such a role) the programme will enhance your personal and professional development.
Clinical and research expertise are blended in the delivery of this multidisciplinary programme where high standards of clinical care are emphasised and students are encouraged to apply their critical and analytical thinking skills to theory, policy and practice in child and adolescent mental health.
The programme will develop your ability to identify and analyse principles of policy, planning and management in child and adolescent mental health. You will gain professional, academic and research skills and understand how their application can improve clinical practice. You will increase your understanding of the impact of culture and diversity upon clinical theory and practice, and experience enhanced personal and professional development.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.
The programme consists of five core modules (75 credits), three optional modules (45 credits) and a research dissertation (60 credits).
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, one year part-time, flexible two to five years) is offered. The programme consists of five core modules (75 credits), and three optional modules (45 credits).
A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, one year part-time, two years flexible) is offered. Three core modules (45 credits) and a choice of one of the two remaining core modules (15 credits).
Core modules
Optional modules
Dissertation/report
All MSc students undertake an independent research project which culminates in a dissertation of 10,000 to 12,000 words.
Teaching and learning
The programme is taught through a combination of lectures, workshops, discussion, project work and independent and group study. Assessment includes written assignments, unseen written examinations, projects, oral presentations, group work, and the written dissertation.
Placement
We are able to offer a limited number of clinical placements in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in various NHS Trusts. Places are not guaranteed and are based on availability.
The placements are a minimum of one day a week for a period of eight weeks and will be supervised by medical and non-medical consultants within the service.
Placements are observational only and will not be formally assessed but may offer opportunities to participate in research studies and other academic and teaching activities in the host trust.
The cost of the placement is in the range of £75 to £200.
Further information on modules and degree structure is available on the department website: Child and Adolescent Mental Health MSc
The programme provides career development training for doctors, psychologists and practitioners in social work and education who intend to focus and develop their careers in the areas of child mental health.
This is a relatively new programme and only limited career destination data is available. However, recent graduates have gone on to Clinical Doctorates in Psychology or had opportunities for progression in their current careers.
Recent career destinations for this degree
This programme attracts psychology graduates who wish to enhance their opportunities for progression to further clinical psychology training, and trainees in child psychiatry who wish to supplement their basic training with a higher degree; the MSc programme is closely aligned to the Royal College’s recommended curriculum. Students from social work, nursing and education will benefit from the acquisition of advanced skills in the theory and practice of working with young people with mental health difficulties. Clinical placements are available as an extracurricular option for students who aim to develop their career in a profession related to clinical practice.
Careers data is taken from the ‘Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education’ survey undertaken by HESA looking at the destinations of UK and EU students in the 2013–2015 graduating cohorts six months after graduation.
The UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health pursues an integrated, multidisciplinary approach to enhance understanding, diagnosis, therapy and prevention of childhood diseases. Our research and our educational portfolio covers a broad range of paediatric issues, from molecular genetics to population health sciences.
Our close relationship with the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children means that much of our research and teaching is carried out on a joint basis. Students benefit from excellent facilities in both laboratory and non-laboratory subjects.
This programme blends academic theory and research with clinical knowledge to enable professionals to deliver a high standard of clinical care.
The Research Excellence Framework, or REF, is the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions. The 2014 REF was carried out by the UK's higher education funding bodies, and the results used to allocate research funding from 2015/16.
The following REF score was awarded to the department: Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health
80%: Clinical Medicine subjects; 81%: Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care subjects rated 4* (‘world-leading’) or 3* (‘internationally excellent’)
Learn more about the scope of UCL's research, and browse case studies, on our Research Impact website.
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