Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
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How long will I study?
3 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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When do I start?
September 2025
Course summary
- Explore topics such as; child safeguarding, parenting, child development and refugee support.
- Gain the skills to drive social change and empower the people you work with within interprofessional contexts.
- Develop your professional skills across 400 hours of placement experience.
- Share learning experiences with other students through reflective discussions.
- Boost your employability by enhancing your research skills and digital capabilities.
On our FdA you’ll be part of a nurturing learning community, exploring contemporary topics in working with children, young people and families. You’ll develop your skills by gaining real-world experience on placement, as well as through opportunities to volunteer abroad working with partner organisations in the international community.
After graduating, you can choose to top up your qualifications to a full BA degree – a one-year full-time course of study without placement.
Employability
91% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Come to an open day
Visit us to learn more about our gold-rated teaching and why we were awarded the highest possible rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
How you learn
At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.
On this course we promote active and independent study. You’ll develop your inter-agency collaboration skills for future careers in interprofessional contexts. This will ensure you have the required foundations for working in a diverse range of professional and group work settings.
We’re a team of supportive, dedicated professionals from a range of relevant backgrounds. We provide high-quality work placements alongside enriching and enjoyable teaching sessions. The modules are designed to introduce and develop your understanding of the principles, skills and knowledge you’ll need to work with children, young people and families.
You’ll experience a blended approach to learning and teaching – on campus, online and in work placements – which mirrors how you’ll work in practice.
You learn through:
- Seminars, workshops and tutorials
- Academic adviser meetings
- Problem-based activities
- Skills development sessions
- Scenario-based learning and library support
- Guest lectures and online international events
- Collaborative and self-directed learning
- Group work meetings
- Placements and employer-led learning
- Peer support and critical reflective supervision
- Assessments and presentations
Course topics
Our FdA Working with Children, Young People and Families course is compliant with the Hallam Model – embedding a person-centred approach to your professional knowledge, skills and behaviours in practice.
You’ll explore a range of topics – from child development, safeguarding and parenting to working with refugees and migrant families. The course uses inclusive approaches to learning and teaching which value diversity. You’ll use real-world examples and learn from practitioners and people with lived experience.
You’ll develop your research and enquiry skills while exploring the high-quality research undertaken at Hallam and beyond. You’ll have opportunities to develop your abilities in identifying and using evidence, using methods that enhance your critical reasoning and reflection skills. You’ll also develop your digital capabilities and practise skills in simulated and in-situ contexts.
Course support
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas. These include:
- Access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
- Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
- Employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities
- Individual and group course support from academic advisers and specialist colleagues
- Placement support from your SHU placement tutor and an onsite work-based supervisor.
- Reinforcement and enhancement of writing and study skills covered in prior study.
- Activities to build transferable and employability skills, reflecting on your own experiences and learning.
94% of students on this course were satisfied with academic support in the 2024 National Student Survey.
Course leaders and tutors
Student View
FdA Working with Children, Young People and Families student, Jasmine, and BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult) student, Tom, both travelled to Lesotho in South Africa. There they worked with community leaders on social justice projects and put into practice some of the skills they'd learned on their courses.
Applied learning
Work placements
You’ll take part in two 200-hour placements in two different settings working with children/young people and families. These will reflect the different contexts and communities in which services are currently delivered. This will enable you to develop your skills and confidence in practice, as well as enhancing your resilience, integrity, creativity and curiosity as a developing professional.
Your course is designed to give you the knowledge, skills, confidence and readiness to succeed on your placements. Our careers and employability team will signpost you to a variety of staff- and student-directed support resources and employer events; helping you make the most of these opportunities throughout your degree.
Field trips
Field trips are an important way to support our approach to applied learning, helping you understand the wider context of your learning and providing an insight into working practice. We endeavour to provide opportunities for these both locally and globally to develop your confidence, competence and understanding of the sector.
As a department we value the importance of learning from diverse experiences – broadening your professional understanding and becoming a culturally competent practitioner. Through access to the Turing Grant Scheme we have a range of active partnerships across Africa, Europe and India, facilitating volunteering visits to community development or refugee agencies.
Networking opportunities
We have extra-curricular career-focused activities from; careers and job fairs to employer events, volunteering, leadership awards and training to assist with your professional development. As a department we celebrate international social/community work with a global audience, so you’ll be able to engage in a range of online international activities and events.
Our student Social Work and Social Care Society, our Global Majority Student Group and the Diverse Voices Conference are great opportunities for students to come together and share experiences with their peers and academic staff. Colleagues with lived experience and employer partners enhance your student experience and create real links to practice.
Future careers
We work closely with Hallam’s Employability Advisors to provide integrated and timetabled employment support throughout the course. This covers a range of career opportunities with local, regional and national employers.
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work in:
- Family support and early intervention (local authority and voluntary sector
- Educational settings in schools, colleges and pupil referral units (PRUs)
- Social care and health settings (local authority and voluntary sector)
- Community development and outreach
After graduating from the course, students are able to progress onto our BA (Hons) Working with Children, Young People and Families (1 year top-up). In addition students have the opportunity to apply for the BA (Honours) Social Work (at level 5) – which is a competitive interview route.
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you’re based at our Collegiate Crescent campus which includes:
- Our £13 million purpose-built Robert Winston Building
- Specialist facilities, including a courtroom and simulated spaces
- A 24-hour library and learning centre
- Virtual learning environments
- Online databases and search tools
- Online apps and platforms that support collaborative learning
- Electronic tools and platforms for academic and professional work
- Employment-based databases and client-record systems
360 tour - social work facilities
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
64
This must include at least 24 points from an A level or equivalent BTEC National qualification. For example:
- CC at A Level
- MPP in BTEC Extended Diploma
- Pass with D or E from a T level qualification with extra from core
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS Levels, EPQ and general studies
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
Or
- Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in social science, health studies, health science, nursing or another relevant course. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3.
Other equivalent qualifications are considered individually.
And
GCSEs in
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- *GCSE English equivalents
- Level 2 Literacy
- Level 2 Key Skills
IELTS
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English.
Helping your application succeed
Experience
Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care. It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview.
Reference
You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution with your UCAS application.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview. To confirm your identity on the day please bring a valid form of photo ID with you, preferably a passport or photo driving licence.
View our interview guidance to ensure you understand the interviews process and how you can prepare for this.
Course enrolment - professional requirements
Before enrolling you must fully declare on the forms provided during the admissions process:
- Unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
- Involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments
- Involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
- Enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University
In addition
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check
- You must undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
- If you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining this check can be found here
- Where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.
Occupational Health Screening
You must undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
Immunisations
You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
Pre-course Day
After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK you are expected to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the professional requirements of your course. This is also an opportunity to meet fellow applicant to the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, some current students and teaching staff.
Other professional suitability information
Your full enrolment on your course will be confirmed when the Professional Issues Team have verified that your Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas criminal record check where relevant) indicates that you are suitable to work with vulnerable groups including children and clearance from your health screening has been received.
If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, you must tell the Professional Issues team immediately by calling 0114 225 5637 or emailing HWB-Professional-Issues@shu.ac.uk.
Disability support
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.
The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students on health and social care courses and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course. You can contact our disability co-ordinator for social work and social care on 0114 225 5769 to discuss any queries you may have or you can contact our university disabled student support team on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom).
Open day
Our online open days give you an opportunity to chat live to our teaching staff and current students. You can explore the campus and view our facilities virtually as well as asking any questions you may have. To book your place at one of our online open days please follow this link: University open days.
Additional information for EU/International students
This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, email our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Child Development
Personal, Professional And Academic Development
Safeguarding And Assessment
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Cypf Practice 1
Preparing For Practice With Cypf
Theory And Practice Of Parenting
Final year
Compulsory modules
Advancing Practice With Cypf
Cypf Practice 2
Refugees And Migrant Families
Research For Practice With Cypf
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fees for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2025/26 are regulated by the UK government and are yet to be confirmed. For an indication, our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/25 is £9,250 per year.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Health and Social Care (PDF, 165.7KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
Student success story
Up to 30 students on the University's social work, social care and community studies courses put everything they learned into practice when they travelled to Calais and Dunkirk to help displaced migrants.
