Family Support

The course is delivered by lecturers with diverse experiences of working in family support and children's services. Their approach to learning and teaching is underpinned by theoretical knowledge, the latest research and contemporary issues facing family support. They’re well-connected with local employers who provide specialist services in family support and early help and regularly consult with them to ensure the course content meets the needs of the sector.

We keep our class sizes small so we can give you the personal support you need to flourish – whether you’re already experienced in the area of family support, you want to change careers, or you’re a recent graduate. You’ll have the chance to complete work-based learning assessments, or we’ll work with you to arrange professional work placements as part of your course.

By the time you graduate, you’ll have had the chance to critically reflect on your practice, learn from evidence-informed practice, and contribute to the development of practice knowledge in family support.

You will study a variety of modules across your programme of study. The module details given below are subject to change and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.

Introduction to Postgraduate Study of Childhood, Education and Family Support

Alongside those on other MA programmes, you will develop the foundations of Level 7 academic knowledge and skills, critically reflecting across both academic and professional contexts. You will learn about theoretical underpinnings, competing frameworks and approaches, and the implications for ethical and effective practices.

Research Methods for Childhood, Education and Family Support

This is a research methods module which prepares you for choosing a topic area and how you will research it. You’ll be allocated a research supervisor at the beginning of the programme, who will continue to work with you through to completion of your empirical dissertation or major study.

Leading and Managing Family Support

This module introduces key aspects of leadership of family support practice. You’ll be assessed by short blogs, a case study, or a policy essay where you can negotiate your own assessment title.

Dissertation or Major Study

You can opt for either an empirical dissertation or a literature-based major study. This is an opportunity to work closely with a research-active supervisor, who can help you to deepen your knowledge and understanding of family support theory and practice. Your assessment is based on an individual presentation in early May, plus a completed dissertation/major study report in mid-September.

Option modules

Supporting Social Development and Emotional Wellbeing in Children, Young People and Families

You’ll be introduced to the impact of adverse child experiences (ACEs) and the need to develop therapeutic strategies that promote good emotional wellbeing in children and young people. This is an experiential module that aims to equip you with effective practice skills.

Family Intervention Strategies in Practice

During this module you will assess the needs and problems that children and their families face by examining the key factors of risk and vulnerability within the family context. You will also discuss the conflict between individual rights and family dynamics and evaluate effective intervention strategies and services in your own locality.

Course structure - Full time

Semester	Module	Contact hours
One	Core Introduction to Postgraduate Study of Childhood, Education and Family Support Research Methods for Childhood, Education and Family Support	Full-time students complete 180 credits in the year and will attend two evenings per week in term-time Part-time students complete 90 credits in each year, will attend one evening per week and will complete Research Methods in their second year
Two	Leading and Managing Family Support Dissertation/Major Study	Two evenings per week in term-time Both full-time and part-time year two students submit their dissertation or major study in September the following year
Three	Continue with Dissertation/Major Study Option modules: Supporting Social Development and Emotional Wellbeing or Family Intervention Strategies in Practice	Two evenings per week in term-time

 

At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and provide you with the tools and support to help you achieve your academic, personal and professional potential.

Our Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy delivers excellence by providing the framework for:

• high quality teaching
• an engaging and inclusive approach to learning, assessment and achievement
• a clear structure through which you progress in your academic studies, your personal development and towards professional-level employment or further study.

We have a strong reputation for developing student employability, supporting your development towards graduate employment, with relevant skills embedded throughout your programme of study.

We endeavour to develop curiosity, confidence, courage, ambition and aspiration in all students through the key themes in our Learning and Teaching Strategy:

• Student Involvement and Engagement
• Inclusion
• Integrated Programme and Assessment Experience
• Digital Literacy and Skills
• Employability and Enterprise

To help you achieve your potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and real-world activities. This approach ensures that you fully engage in shaping your own learning, developing your critical thinking and reflective skills so that you can identify your own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape your own development.

We believe the secret to great learning and teaching is simple: it is about creating an inclusive learning experience that allows all students to thrive through:

• Personalised support
• Expert lecturers
• Strong connections with employers
• An international outlook
• Understanding how to use tools and technology to support learning and development

Assessment

We use both formative and summative assessments to give you ongoing feedback on the learning and understanding of family support theory and practice you develop throughout the course.

Assessments will be directly related to your work context and professional role, ensuring that you can appreciate the relevance of your study while deepening your understanding of practice processes.

A range of assessment methods will be used, which may include written essays, portfolios, presentations, work assignments and problem-solving exercises.

Leeds Trinity University is committed to recruiting students with talent and potential and who we feel will benefit greatly from their academic and non-academic experiences here. We treat every application on its own merits; we value highly the experience you illustrate in your personal statement.

The following information is designed to give you a general overview of the qualifications we accept. If you are taking qualifications that are not included below, please contact our Admissions Office who will be happy to advise you.

We welcome applicants with the following qualifications and experience:

A good honours degree (2:2 or above) in a relevant subject area.

Degrees in non-related subjects will also be considered if you can demonstrate relevant paid or voluntary work experience and a commitment to study. Additionally, candidates without a BA/BSc may be considered where you can demonstrate evidence of equivalent prior learning and experience.

Six months’ experience of ongoing engagement in work with children, young people and families, or equivalent relevant paid or voluntary employment/work experience involving direct support of children, young people and families.

Ability to work with groups of children and access support from experienced professional colleagues.

The support and agreement of an employer through confirmation of support for study, verification of experience and allocation of a mentor (pastoral support). Alternatively, you should be willing to complete a family support placement – this would be individually negotiated to fit with any current work commitments you may have.

If you will be required to undertake a placement as part of your course, you will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS check.

If English is not your first language, IELTS 6.0 (with no less than 5.5 in any component) or equivalent is the minimum requirement.

Please contact us for personalised advice on 0113 283 7123 or at admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk.

UK Home Students:

For information about our tuition fees please visit our Student Fees and Finance pages.

If you studied your undergraduate degree at Leeds Trinity University, you may be eligible for a discount of up to 50% on the cost of your tuition fees.

International Students, including EU Students:

Visit our web page for international students.

Part-time study is not available for international students on a Student Route Visa.

Apply online using the following link(s).

Full time

Part time

There is no official closing date for applications, but the course will be closed when it is full. We therefore encourage you to make your application as early as possible.

Please ensure you complete the application form in full and supply all the required supporting documentation when you make your initial application. Incomplete applications may be rejected.

 If you need advice on your application, please contact our admissions team on 0113 283 7123 (Monday to Thursday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, or Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm) or admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk

Applicants who require a Student Route Visa

If you require a Student Route Visa in order to study in the UK, then you must apply to us by Tuesday 31 May 2022. You must also meet all the conditions of your offer and present all supporting documentation required for the visa application no later than Thursday 30 June 2022.

What happens next?

Our admissions team will acknowledge receipt of your application by email, process it, and forward to the relevant Programme Leader within three days.

The programme leader will either make a decision based on your application or invite you to attend an interview.

If you're selected for an interview, you'll be contacted with details within ten days of your application being processed.

The admissions team will notify you of your interview outcome in writing within five working days of receiving a decision from the Programme Leader.

Made an offer?

You should accept or decline your offer by emailing admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk.

If you accept, you'll need to prove you satisfy the conditions outlined in your offer letter.

This will usually be by presenting the relevant supporting documentation in person to the student administration office (AM36) on campus.