Child and Family Studies

College level Students registering on the Foundation Degree Child and Family Studies consist of both mature students and school leavers from a variety of social and cultural backgrounds. Educational backgrounds consequently range from the traditional `A level route through to Access to Higher Education and NVQ courses. With this diversity in mind, the course team puts strong emphasis on student support in order that all students are given the opportunity to achieve their maximum academic potential and gain the most from their undergraduate experience at the College and University. This awareness of the differing needs of the student body is reflected in the degree of support offered, with particular emphasis on the accessibility and availability of the course team.
New and continuing students meet staff during induction week both at the College and the University and are presented with a range of written material and advice. The induction programme is tailored to run with the colleges programme and is intended to provide a range of activities that kick-start the academic programme and foster a sense of membership of both the College and the University and the award programme. Short talks will also be given during induction by various services available to you in the University, for example, the Mitigation and the Retention Team, Professional and Academic Development (PAD) Team, Learning Resources Centre (LRC) and the Careers and Employment Service, amongst others.
New students meet the core teaching team at the college in an induction meeting to discuss their learning needs and academic support. Thereafter all members of the teaching team are contactable by telephone, or by email. Thus issues relating directly to the study of an individual unit can be discussed first hand with the unit coordinators and teaching team; and in practice most issues are resolved at this level.
The Course Manager is responsible for monitoring students progress and supporting their academic progress throughout the course and acts as the students personal tutor at Levels 4 and 5. In the first year, Level 4 students have weekly 1 hour study skills sessions with their Course Manager. This gives Course Managers the chance to understand what additional academic support students might require and advise students accordingly. It also gives students the chance to get to know his/her Course Manager. An appointment is made with every student identified as at risk at the board in February by the Course Manager to provide guidance and support and to encourage retention. The Assistant Director is also available to discuss issues concerned with academic progression.
University level At the University, the Engagement Team in Student Services is available to all students and can give you independent and confidential advice if you are having difficulties, for example if you are unwell during an assignment hand-in or exam period. When you have extenuating circumstances, perhaps an untimely illness then the Mitigation Team in Student Services can provide you with extra time to complete your work or postpone an exam without penalty when the work is marked. You can contact them via the Student Information Desk (SiD) email or telephone for an appointment. The Professional and Academic Development (PAD) team are able to help you through study skills workshops or with one-to-one sessions to help you improve the quality of your written assignments, understanding statistical concepts, organisations skills to help you manage your study programme, language skills and much more. PAD can be contacted via the PAD online BREO site that you will be automatically enrolled on or via SiD (contact details above). The PAD online BREO site also offers additional resources for students to improve his/her study related skills English language development support, for example in the area of academic writing skills, offers further support at the Language Centre on the top floor of the Vicarage Street building on the Luton campus telephone for an appointment.
In the Campus Centre on the Luton campus you will find the Disability Advice Team and the Counselling and Mental Health Support Service. The Disability Advice Team is available to discuss any issues you may have and can provide services such as dyslexia screening. The Learning Resources Centre (LRC) offers a range of services and specialist software and equipment. You can find out more on the LRC website: http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/libraryservices/additional The LRC provides valuable resources to enable you to develop essential information literacy skills, knowledge and understanding of the range of online databases available to you so that you are in a good position to expand your knowledge of Child and Family Studies. In addition, our subject librarian is available for one to one support outside of the teaching programme on the Luton campus. For more information go to http://lrweb.beds.ac.uk/applied-soc-studies
The Careers and Employability Service helps students to reflect on their unique capabilities, interests and circumstance which can be expanded whilst at university and to prepare them for successful employment or postgraduate study. This service offers one-to-one career coaching on job search, how to complete application forms, interviews techniques, and study and career planning. If you are interested in Community Volunteering then visit the Careers and Employment Service to help to build your personal confidence and participate in work experience. The Field of Applied Social Studies works closely with the Careers and Employment Service. We also host a Going Professional Conference every year where employers and graduates are available to discuss your current and future career options. As a student at Bedford College, Child and Family Studies, you will be invited to attend this day with other Level 5 students that attend courses in the Field of Applied Social Studies on the Luton campus. For more information on the services offered go to: http:///student-experience2/studying-at-bedfordshire/student-services/careers For more details on the services identified above please visit: http:///student-experience2/studying-at-bedfordshire/student-services Students may be required, at the discretion of the Course Manager, to undergo diagnostic testing for academic English language abilities, and may further be required, at the Course Managers discretion, to participate in academic English support workshops or classes laid on by the University. Units

• Applied Psychology For Child And Family Studies (ASS) Compulsory
• Child Observation (ASS) Compulsory
• Interpersonal Communication (ASS) Compulsory
• Reflective Learning And Personal, Professional And Academic Development (Ppad) (ASS) Compulsory
• Social Policy And Families (ASS) Compulsory
• Applied Experience With Children, Young People And Families (ASS) Compulsory
• Beliefs, Expectations & Language Of Youth In Children And Families' Services (ASS) Compulsory
• Evidence Based Practice (ASS) Compulsory
• Managing People & Career Development In Children And Families' Services (ASS) Compulsory
• Multi Agency Working (ASS) Compulsory