Working with Children & Young People: Social Pedagogy BA (Hons)

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) Gold award

Our commitment to high quality teaching has been recognised with a TEF Gold rating. The University has received an overall rating of Gold, as well as securing a Gold award in the framework's two new student experience and student outcomes categories.

Why choose this course?

Would you like to use your talents in a career where you support children, young people and their families? This degree will prepare you for professional opportunities in settings such as health, social care, education and youth justice.

This course will introduce social pedagogy – an inclusive and holistic approach to wellbeing, learning and growth. Social pedagogy is an approach to caring for children and young people which combines education and care. It emphasises that bringing up children is the shared responsibility of families and society. A key principle is that the young person is in charge of their own life, and you work alongside them.

This course is endorsed by the Social Pedagogy Professional Association (SPPA).

You'll also gain an understanding of children's law and rights and the importance of safeguarding. Studies also include child development, life transitions, ethics and diversity, and relationship-based professional practice.

You'll become familiar with the range of services for children and young people. Through two work placements, you'll apply your learning in real practice settings to make a difference to young people's lives. Placements will be in settings such as youth justice, early intervention, health services, schools and children's centres. We also give you the option to find your own placement with children and young people in a field you personally feel passionate about.

During your three years, you will benefit from the expertise of lecturers and professionals from many different disciplines. You will be encouraged to explore different ways of working through creative workshops whilst developing your employability skills. Your research skills and creative abilities will be developed to produce exciting ideas to benefit children, young people and their families. You'll have the opportunity to study abroad in one of our European partner universities.

Attendance UCAS code Year of entry
3 years full time L590 2024
Location Kingston Hill

Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • This course offers practical experience through field trips, workshops and two work placements.
  • There's the opportunity to study abroad in one of our European partner universities.
  • You'll develop skills to support children and young people and will graduate with the professional title of Social Pedagogy Practitioner.
  • 95.5% of students thought staff were good at explaining things (NSS 2023).

What you will study

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. Those listed here may also be a mixture of core and optional modules. Some modules are taught alongside our social work students.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

In Year 1 you will learn theories and concepts of human growth, development and life transitions, and gain awareness of ethics and diversity.

Core modules

Social Pedagogy Practice Values and Ethics

30 credits

This module provides an introduction to developing awareness of issues of diversity, values and ethics, from an intersectional and social pedagogical perspective. There is an emphasis upon participatory learning through class debate, workshop and seminar activities, as well as interaction with a partner organisation who have a social care challenge to present to students in order to encourage their values-based thinking in proposing solutions to this challenge. These experiences are supported by lectures that introduce the main tenets and theories of social pedagogy values and ethics. The module begins by exploring power, inequality and diversity within society, encouraging students to consider their own social location and its different intersections. The initial focus is on the personal. This shifts to exploring personal and professional values and ethics as learning progresses. Students will gradually develop a greater awareness of their values in situations where there are ethical dilemmas to resolve when working with children and young people, and will apply this to a real-world social care challenge in Semester 2

Working with Children and Young People: Professional Roles and Contexts

30 credits

This module is designed to introduce students to the roles of different key professionals within the children's and young people's workforce to develop an appreciation of the complexities involved with multi-agency practice. There will be a focus on the importance on building and developing authentic relationships with children, young people, parents, families and carers. It is an interactive module which includes skills workshops and involvement from people with lived experience and representatives from partner agencies. Students learn about the role and tasks of practitioners and develop professional skills in verbal and written communication within a range of children and young people contexts. They have the opportunity to receive formative feedback on their communication skills, and engage in simulated activities in the Practice Learning Suite. Students are required to engage with different professionals and settings, as part of the module in order to apply their communication skills and reflect on the roles of professionals and the services offered to children.

Preparation for Practice with Children and Young People

30 credits

This module introduces you to a range of tools that will enable you to develop a clearer sense of your personal and professional selves, as preparation for entering the children and young people's workforce. The first semester focuses on understanding the personal self and the differences to the professional self. The second semester focuses on communication and building and developing authentic and reliable relationships with children and young people. You will use creative tools to develop skills in active listening, in speaking and engaging authentically and in developing skills to communicate in a variety of settings with children and young people. Students receive formative feedback on written work and on their communication and engagement skills for children and young people. You are encouraged to undertake relevant extra-curricular opportunities as part of the module in order to further consolidate and apply your learning. This includes volunteering or paid opportunities within the university or wider community.

Children And Young People's Development, Relationships And Social Contexts

30 credits

The module provides you with an understanding of human growth and development by reviewing theoretical perspectives and research regarding infant, child, adolescent and young people's development across the life course. This module will provide you with an understanding of the concepts of relationships within families, and issues of progression at different stages of life, identity and the life worlds. The module draws on theory and practice from a variety of perspectives including the main schools of thought in psychology and sociology, and explores current issues facing children and young people in today's society.

In Year 2 you will develop an in-depth social pedagogic knowledge, an understanding of children's law and rights, and the importance of safeguarding.

Core modules

Children and Young People: Rights and Responsibilities

30 credits

This module will enable students to analyse and reflect on the concept of children and young people's rights and the extent to which they are able to realise these rights. The module will use the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 as a framework to consider the rights of children and young people and the responsibilities of the state in enabling the realisation of these rights. It will focus on different theoretical and practical perspectives which enable rights to be realised and how these perspectives relate to the work of every profession in the children's workforce. The module will also take a comparative approach by considering the realisation of children and young people's rights in an international context.

Social Pedagogy

30 credits

This module will introduce the principles, theories and approaches of social pedagogy, exploring its relevance and applications in the European as well as UK context. Students will learn how the social pedagogy practitioner uses a range of educational, therapeutic and creative skills and methods in a variety of settings, including care, special educational needs, youth and community work, and social work. There will be a particular focus on the role of social pedagogy practitioners in empowering and giving a voice to children and young people. Students will be encouraged to develop a relationship-based and reflective approach to professional practice. 

Practice Experience: Local and International Contexts

30 credits

This module provides students with the opportunity to gain practical learning experience of working locally and internationally within a range of children and young people contexts. Students will gain an insight into the approaches and practices used within the placement setting. Students will have the opportunity to enhance and develop their knowledge and understanding of pedagogical approaches and work practices in the children and young peoples' workforce. Students will be expected to engage in dialogue with professionals in the setting to inform their learning and critically reflect upon their practice experience and the frameworks that underpin diverse practice.  Students will normally be able to select from a range of options for their practice experience. This will include both international and local placements as well as the opportunity for volunteering and experiential visits.

Interprofessional Perspectives: Safeguarding and support for children, young people

30 credits

This module examines professional and legal responsibilities in terms of safeguarding and support for children and young people. You are encouraged to identify strategies that may impact on interprofessional policies and procedures. You will explore how good communication supports effective practice in working together inter-professionally with children and young people.

Year 3 will inform your future career through further work placement opportunities. You will work in groups designing an idea which will benefit children and young people and will develop a deep understanding of the research, systems and professional practice that impact children's lives.

Core modules

Practice Experience 2: Planning for your future career

30 credits

This module enables students to explore opportunities and career pathways in working with children and young people and provides them with further practical experience during a six-week placement.  The module aims to provide students with the skills to develop knowledge about specific jobs and career paths for working with children and young people and then the ability to apply these skills to investigate other possible careers. Students are permitted to find their own work experience/ placement should they wish, or a placement will be found for them. This experience will enable them to critically analyse potential career paths in working with children and young people. The module also aims to prepare students for life after university and the taking up of employment.  

Developing Creative Approaches to Working with Children and Young People

30 credits

This final year module allows you to investigate and design a product of potential benefit to children and/or young people. You will firstly identify an area of interest linked to a current issue, concern, gap or dilemma which may be local, national or international.  You will then use the knowledge, skills and experience that you have acquired throughout your academic studies and placements to investigate and identify what could be helpful for children or young people. You will be expected to demonstrate child-centred practice, creativity, and problem solving in developing an idea which will be of practical use in working with children and young people in preparation for employment.

Working with Children and Young People: Capstone Project

30 credits

This final year capstone project allows students to synthesise and apply the knowledge and skills that they have acquired throughout the course by undertaking an in-depth study of a particular area of interest to them personally which is relevant to working with children and young people. In this study, students will demonstrate curiosity and academic rigour, showing critical application of theory and demonstrating their understanding of research and evidence based practice.

Working with Children and Young People in Context: Relationships and Professional Practice

30 credits

This module explores the centrality of relationships when working with children and young people. It examines current issues and dilemmas facing a range of professionals working with children and young people, including social workers, nurses, teachers and Early Years practitioners. In this module, students will explore different strategies to support children and young people in professional practice, including writing a script of a scene critically analysing professional practice.

Future Skills

Knowledge to give you the edge

Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.

As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.

At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it.

A female engineering student, in the engineering lab.

Entry requirements

Typical offer 2025

UCAS tariff points: 96-120

GSCE English Language at grade C/4 or equivalent qualification. Enhanced DBS check.

The typical requirement for entry for this course is 96-120 UCAS points. Health and Science subjects preferred:

  • A-levels CCC (General Studies not accepted)
  • BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit
  • Access to HE course to value of 96 UCAS points normally achieved with 18 Distinctions and 9 Merits

Typical offer 2024

UCAS tariff points: 96-120

Five GSCEs at grade C/4 including English. Enhanced DBS check.

The typical requirement for entry for this course is 96-120 UCAS points. Health and Science subjects preferred:

  • A-levels CCC (General Studies not accepted)
  • BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit
  • Access to HE course to value of 96 UCAS points normally achieved with 18 Distinctions and 9 Merits

Additional requirements

GCSE at grade 4 or above (or grade C or above for GCSEs taken before 2017) in English Language or equivalent qualification e.g. Functional/Key skills level 2 in literacy. Admission is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including checks against the Adult and Child Workforce Barring Lists if you are offered and accept a place on the course.

Alternative routes

We welcome a wide range of qualifications and qualification combinations to the value of 96 UCAS points. We assess each application individually, taking into account any experience and skills you may have in your chosen field.

Typical other routes include:

  • Foundation degree in related programmes 50%
  • International Baccalaureate 24 points
  • FETAC Level 5 Pass in all modules
  • CACHE Level 3 Diplomas 96 UCAS Points (Grade C)

International

We welcome applications from International Applicants. Non-native speakers who do not have the equivalent of GCSE English at grade 4 (formerly grade C) (e.g. Functional Skills Level 2 Literacy) require an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all elements.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

Typical offer and UCAS points explained

Like most universities, we use the UCAS Tariff point system for our course entry requirements.

Find out more about UCAS Tariff points and see how A-level, AS level, BTEC Diploma and T-level qualifications translate to the points system.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching includes field trips, workshops, practical activities, lectures, problem-solving approaches and small group sessions for learning support. We have excellent library and virtual learning environment resources, and a specialist team to help you get the most out of them.

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking coursework assignments, and preparing and giving presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Academic support

Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, support you throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University. 

Your workload

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 1
  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 301 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 899 hours
  • Placement: 0 hours
Year 2
  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 174 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 876 hours
  • Placement: 150 hours
Year 3
  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 194 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 807 hours
  • Placement: 200 hours

Contact hours may vary depending on your modules.

 

How you will be assessed

Assessment includes essays, portfolios, posters and presentations.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 1
  • Coursework: 75%
  • Practical exam: 25%
Year 2
  • Coursework: 80%
  • Practice experience: 20%
Year 3
  • Coursework: 80%
  • Practice experience: 20%

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback to you on your assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Who teaches this course?

We have staff who are qualified Social Workers, Social Pedagogues, and Practice Educators, with experience across a range of social care settings.

Facilities

Our Art Room is a specialist room designed to replicate a secondary school classroom where students learn a range of creative practices for values-based work with children and young people.

We collaborate across Kingston University and external organisations to come up with creative ideas to solve social care issues in the community, so that students are given the opportunity to apply their learning to real-world problems.

Facilities

Course fees and funding

2024/25 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2024/25 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £9,250*
International Year 1 (2024/25): £17,800
Year 2 (2025/26): £18,500
Year 3 (2026/27): £19,200

For courses with a sandwich year, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.

* For full-time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full-time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

2023/24 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'Overseas' student. In 2023/24 the fees for this course are:

 Fee category Amount
Home (UK students) £9,250*
International Year 1 (2023/24): £15,800
Year 2 (2024/25): £16,200
Year 3 (2025/26): £16,600

* These fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the results of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

Note for EU students: UK withdrawal from the European Union

The Government has recently announced that new students from the European Union and Swiss Nationals starting their course after August 2021 will no longer be eligible for a student loan in England for Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies from the 2021/22 academic year. This decision only applies to new EU students starting after 2021/22. If you are an existing/continuing EU student, you will continue to be funded until you graduate or withdraw from your course.

Need to know more?

Our undergraduate fees and funding section provides information and advice on money matters.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees; this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston-upon-Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Placements

You will need to pay for your travel to and from school placements, costs can vary depending on the location and mode of transport.

DBS check

The University pays for the processing of the application which is £51 but students are expected to pay a small fee (approximately £7) to the Post Office to get their ID documents verified and £13 per year for subscribing to the Update Service. This subscription allows universities and potential employers to view any changes to students' DBS.

Occupational health

You will need to fill out an Occupational Health Form. In some cases, we will require extra information and may ask you to get your GP to complete a routine screening form. All GPs have their own policies on charging fees for completion of these reports. The minimum fee recommended by the BMA is £30. Some GPs will not charge you for completion of the form but some GP surgeries are unable to make exceptions and will charge you the standard rate for their practice (in some cases this can be £50 or more). Neither the Faculty nor Occupational Health will be able to reimburse students for fees charged by their GP.

The majority of the required vaccinations should be free from your GP or via the NHS. Our Occupational Health Service will see you in the first two weeks of the course to ensure you have obtained the necessary vaccinations and will undertake any vaccinations/screening tests you have missed. Neither the Faculty nor Occupational Health will be able to reimburse students for any fees charged by their GP or other vaccination providers for vaccinations incurring a cost. If you are being charged for a vaccination we would suggest that you wait until you start the course where you will be able to obtain the vaccination at no cost to yourself.

Endorsement

This course has a Category 2 endorsement from the Social Pedagogy Professional Association (SPPA).

After you graduate

You'll be well-positioned for roles in education, social care, health, early years and youth services. This course is also excellent preparation for professional study at postgraduate level. When you enter the workforce, after graduating from this course, your study and placement experience will have prepared you for effective interprofessional working with children and young people in a variety of roles such as:

  • Youth offending team officer
  • Youth worker
  • Family support worker
  • Social work assistant
  • Nursery and Early Years practitioner
  • Teaching assistant 
  • Healthcare support worker 
  • Maternity support worker 
  • Nursing support worker
  • Speech and language support worker

This course is also excellent preparation to progress onto study at postgraduate level on our professional courses:

  • Master of Social Work (2 years)
  • MSc Nursing (Adult, Child, Learning Disability, Mental Health) (2 years)
  • PGCE Primary Teaching (1 year)

Key information set

The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.

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