University of Bedfordshire, BA (Hons), Child and Adolescent Studies

The course is underpinned by a commitment to promote the welfare of children and young people; it aims to achieve this through a curriculum which helps students to acquire an understanding of essential aspects of child development and child welfare in order that they may be equipped to provide a skilled service to young people; the rights of young people feature strongly as a theme throughout the programme, as does the belief that young people should have access to equality of services and life chances regardless of social difference; a willingness to perceive and develop the potential of young people and to value their uniqueness are underpinning principles of the programme; the programme is set within a context of current events, research, legislation and policy providing students with a learning experience that places them at the cutting edge of developments in young people’s issues and services; students have access to the latest knowledge and are encouraged to apply this to current practice issues and events; the course has a strong vocational orientation; real practice issues or experiences inform the curriculum ensuring that students have a realistic basis on which to consolidate their academic development and pursue their child care careers; the course team actively promotes the programme principles pertaining to young people as a way of ensuring that these are embraced by students and transferred to practice when they graduate; the programme also provides a unique opportunity for qualified social workers to study modules at level 3 leading to the Post Qualifying (PQ) child care award.