Foundation Degree

Launching in 2026 subject to validation, the Foundation Degree programme offers a flexible two-year higher education qualification for people already working with children.

What

A degree that works around you and your life.

The prospective Foundation Degree enables people who are already working with children to gain a degree without leaving their job or community.

Delivered in cohorts across England, it is designed to give you Level 4 and 5 qualifications that position you for a full degree, and create a launchpad for graduate jobs in multiple sectors.

If you are already brilliant with children, know your community, and want to do more, this is for you.

What makes this course different

Run Locally

You would join a group of 15-25 people for weekly sessions during term time, hosted and supported locally.

Works around you

You can take part in this programme alongside your job, meaning you don’t need to leave work to study.

Practice-based

The course is practical, helping you build the real world knowledge and skills you need to develop your career.

Who

For non-graduate practitioners

The prospective programme is designed for people already working with children; you might be a teaching assistant, an early years practitioner, a family support worker, youth worker, or anyone else looking to develop themselves and build their career.

Where

Connected Nationally, Delivered Locally.

The programme is delivered nationwide with a university partner, subject to validation. Participants will be part of a small local cohort, hosted by a Delivery Centre. There will be a mixture of online and in-person sessions, allowing participants to connect locally and nationally to build supportive networks.

Why

Putting the child at the heart of the work.

The children's workforce is fragmented and undervalued, leading to recruitment and retention issues. This programme aims to create a more coherent, interdisciplinary professional body. By developing a joined-up offer, the programme contributes to every child benefitting from consistent, high-quality support rooted in their needs.

Find out more

Register your interest in studying for the Foundation Degree

  • We are running several online webinar and information sessions for people to find out more about the programme. You can see the dates for those, and sign up, via Eventbrite.

  • Looking for an answer to something specific? Click through to our FAQs page to read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. FAQs page.

  • If you have a specific question you’d like to ask us you can contact us directly by emailing hello@childrensworkforce.org.uk

  • Fill in the form below to register your interest in the programme, and to receive more information over email.