Course summary

The BA (Hons) Childhood Studies with Therapeutic Play encompasses working with children in a variety of settings and contexts with a focus on utilising therapeutic play approaches. The course provides the opportunity to gain professional practice experience making clear links between theory and therapeutic practice. Students will be guided through an exciting range of modules that are specifically designed to increase understanding of children, and to develop therapeutic skills. This unique and innovative course will offer two distinct pathways; ‘Early Childhood’ working with children aged 0-8 years of age which confers Level 3 ‘full and relevant’ status, or ‘Childhood’ which provides the option to work with children and young people across the age range. This programme is the perfect preparation to work therapeutically with children and young people in specialist SEND settings, to support children with social, emotional and mental health challenges in mainstream settings, or to undertake further training to become a registered Play Therapist. The programme includes modules in: Children’s Health & Wellbeing, Special Educational Needs & Disability and Safeguarding. The specific Therapeutic Play pathway will include compulsory modules in Play, Creativity & Expressive Arts, Therapeutic Play, Working Therapeutically with Families, and Being Human. Students in their third year will undertake an independent research project with a therapeutic play focus. In addition to these modules, a programme of ENRICH sessions will provide exposure to a diverse range of relevant subject presentations including: Developing Resilience, Therapeutic Relationships and The Role of the Play Therapist. At Levels 4 and 5 all students will complete a practice placement (age group dependent on pathway). At Level 5 this practical element of the programme will include the delivery of therapeutic interventions.