Early Childhood and Social Care

EARLY CHILDHOOD

The undergraduate programme in Early Childhood Studies provides a higher level of academic study that will extend your knowledge and understanding of children in their early years. We hope to ignite your curiosity as we explore young children’s development and interaction with the world and that in understanding the inequalities that children face locally and globally, you will grow as advocates for young children’s needs and rights.

The Early Childhood team aim to provide a stimulating and supportive learning environment for all our students through a high level of tutor support, access to exceptional University resources and engagement with our multidisciplinary teaching team with wide experience in research, practice and policy in the field. Together with the vital ingredient of your commitment as a student, these elements will enrich your learning experience. We also aim to enhance this where possible through engaging invited speakers and field visits to relevant spaces in Liverpool, a city rich in community connection and cultural experience.

The degree is taught by academics from a wide variety of backgrounds, including Sociology, Education, Philosophy and Psychology. The teaching team are all actively involved in research and have published in their specialist fields. They are all members of the thriving Liverpool Hope Childhood Research Forum and contribute to a range of research conferences both nationally and internationally. This experience provides an informed and supportive learning environment for the student characterised by depth and challenge.

For Single Honours students there is a compulsory placement as part of your degree. The placement will enable you to enhance your understanding of key themes and provides you with an insight into the professional context. For Combined Honours students the placement is optional. The Single Honours programme also offers the option to obtain separate professional certification as a graduate practitioner through assessment against the Early Childhood Graduate Practitioner Competencies.

SOCIAL CARE

There is a growing need for well-trained, multi-skilled graduates able to respond to the changing demands within the Social Care employment and research sectors. As such the Social Care team recognise the great benefit of collaborating with service users, health and social care employers and stakeholders in this sector.

Curriculum content will develop students’ knowledge and understanding of Social Care through an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach. Students will be encouraged to develop a critical approach to a range of social care discourses.

The School has strong links with a range of individuals and organisations in the field who have expressed an ongoing commitment to working with us. The Social Care team build on these long-standing working relationships at all levels of the programme to embed a research informed, evidence-based practice approach to teaching and learning.