Course summary

Overview Early Childhood in Society (Social Pedagogy) is an imaginative course for people who want to work with children aged 0-8 and their families beyond the classroom. This pathway is designed for those who would like to work in the wider early childhood workforce and is underpinned by the philosophy of social pedagogy. You will learn about relationship-based practice, supporting you to work with children and their families in a respectful way. This course is endorsed by the Social Pedagogy Professional Association (category 2) and is particularly suitable for those who want to work with children accessing support services, for example, parenting and family support, excluded children, residential care, charity work overseas and in the UK, and therapeutic playwork to name a few. This degree is superb preparation for employment in a range of occupations such as child and family support work, leadership in an early years setting, fostering and adoption services, play therapy facilitation, advocacy roles in charities such as UNICEF, Action for Children, and Barnardo’s, family assessment, or work in nurture hubs in schools, to name a few. There is an alternative pathway on this course available at The University of Worcester, Early Childhood in Society (Graduate Practitioner), this pathway may appeal to you if you would prefer to work in early years education. Join in your first year or contact us to see about transferring as a direct entry into the second or third year. Key features Convinced you want to work with children and families but not quite sure in what way? This degree lets you explore many possibilities and leads to a range of job opportunities. Choose modules and placements that fit with your interests, for example: • Select the ‘therapeutic approaches’ module and undertake a placement in a setting that uses a ‘trauma informed approach’ if you’d like to work with children who have experienced trauma. • Interested in speech and language work? Choose ‘Children’s communication and language’ as an optional module and try a placement in a speech and language unit. • Would you like to work as an education welfare officer or family support worker? Choose the ‘Safeguarding for advanced practice’ module and do a placement with the Local Authority. • Hoping to work with children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities? Choose the ‘Inclusive approach to working with children with additional needs’ module and undertake placement in a school for children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that identifies a specialist placement is required. • This course prepares you for working with children in diverse contexts • The achievement of the Social Pedagogy Professional Standards qualifies you as a Graduate Social Pedagogy Practitioner. Why the University of Worcester? The University of Worcester is a close-knit and high-achieving community where students are supported to succeed at every level. The University is a truly inclusive place where every person counts as an individual. From designing imaginative facilities to providing practical support and tailored learning, we strive to help people of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve their own rich potential. We work hard to break down barriers and provide opportunities for all. Recent University of Worcester achievements

• Shortlisted for Times Higher Education’s University of the Year in 2016, 2019 and 2020

• Top 5 in the UK for Quality Education in Times Higher Education’s University Impact Rankings 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022

• Sustainability Institution of the Year in the Green Gown Awards 2019

• Top 10 for Sustained Employment - Longitudinal Educational Outcomes survey (2017)