Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Apprenticeship CertHE

This higher apprenticeship equips learners with the skills and professional competence to recognise and assess the various needs that children, young people and families often present.

Higher apprentices work alongside other professionals and organisations to share the responsibility of improving outcomes. Their approach is one of respectful curiosity that challenges and supports children, young people and families to achieve their potential and stay safe.

Teaching and learning

Teaching takes places over 24 months. Each week learners engage in around 4 hours of taught input which is supplemented by independent study and work-based tasks.

Apprentices are taught via a blended learning approach, with access to substantial resources online to lead them through each topic – these include recorded lectures, lecture notes and further reading. Each week lecturers have designated online time so that any difficulties and questions can be addressed.

In addition, extended learning sessions take place on campus (2 per module) and are designed to consolidate learning from previous online activities. In these sessions a creative mix of learning experiences are used, including seminars, group work and tutorials. Where we have large groups of learners employed by the same organisation, we can tailor the location of these extended sessions to suit employer needs.

Throughout the programme apprentices are taught the importance of reading relevant literature and they are introduced to evidence informed research and how this can be applied to their practice.

Learners are engaged in practice for their employer throughout their apprenticeship and regular input is made by practitioners offering new perspectives in order to drive continuous improvement.

To further develop their knowledge and skills, and to widen their view of practice, apprentices are encouraged to visit other organisations and shadow those with similar roles and / or attend another organisation’s training.

Completion and progression

Upon successful completion of the taught parts of the programme (‘the knowledge award’), learners achieve a Certificate in Higher Education from the University of Gloucestershire. There are strong progression pathways between this programme and our BSc Social Work, BA Education and BA Early Childhood Studies.

A compulsory end point assessment must be taken before this Level 4 apprenticeship is complete.