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Working with Children, Young People and Families BA Welcome Pack

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Welcome to Working with Children, Young People and Families BA (Hons) – September 2026.

​​A very warm welcome from the Childhood, Young People and Families team—we are delighted you’ve chosen to study with us and look forward to meeting you and supporting you throughout your journey. Our programme is designed to empower you as a critically reflective, curious and proactive professional, ready to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, young people and families.

​As a team, we bring together a rich range of professional expertise and research-informed practice, grounded in a shared passion for creating a more just, inclusive and equitable society for future generations. You will benefit from this knowledge through engaging teaching, real-world learning opportunities and supportive relationships that will help you grow in confidence, skill and purpose.

We are excited to work alongside you as you develop your voice, challenge ideas and prepare to make a positive impact in an ever-evolving and rewarding sector.

Our recent graduates had this to say about the programme:

  • ​​“3 years have been very interesting and enjoyable. Not only has it enabled me to develop my academic knowledge it has enabled me to develop as an individual.”
  • ​​“From the moment I have entered the University world, I feel I have been included, supported and appreciated all the way throughout my learning in all those 3 years. I am proud of what I have accomplished studying this course and how all staff from my University showed interest in every little detail I have asked help for.”
  • ​​“I have thoroughly enjoyed this course and felt supported by my tutors throughout. I would recommend this course for anybody interested in working with children and young people.”

​​We are looking forward to meeting you on campus in the week commencing Monday 21 September.

Your Course Leader

Natasha Evans, FEAST

Natasha Evans

Senior Lecturer in Education (Childhood, Youth and Families)

natasha.evans@northampton.ac.uk

 

As your course leader, my role is to support you in having a positive and rewarding experience throughout your degree at UON. I oversee the programme and am your main point of contact for any questions, concerns, or general enquiries about your course. If I don’t have the answer, I will make sure to direct you to someone who does.

Additional staff
  • Dr Kyffin Jones
  • Dr Peter Goy
  • Dr Hannah Hogarth
  • Mrs Samantha Weeks
  • Dr Toby Purser
  • Dr Claire Dugan-Clements
  • Dr Helen Simmons
  • Dr Neil Southwell

Preparing for your course

When you arrive at the University of Northampton, there’s plenty to get involved with during Welcome Week. However, there are specific sessions taking place as part of your course induction that’ll help you settle in and prepare for teaching to start the following week.

Tuesday 22 September

Session: Introduction to your course

  • Time: 10am – 1pm (BST)
  • Location: TBC

Session: Welcome to University talk

  • Time: 2 – 2:30pm (BST)
  • Location: Engine Shed, Waterside campus
Wednesday 23 September

Session: Combined Welcome Trip with Education Studies and Sociology – details to be confirmed ASAP

  • Time: 9am (BST) meet at Senate, return to University – confirm soon
Thursday 24 September

Session: Library Induction

  • Time: 10 – 11am (BST)
  • Location: Library Helpdesk – 2nd floor in Learning Hub, Waterside campus

Session: Picnic – Full CYPF Course invitation – Meet your PAT and/or course team

  • Time: 1 – 3pm (BST)
  • Location: Meet at the bridge crossing the river into Becketts Park (Room info will be provided as a back up if not good weather)

Reading Lists

Before starting your studies, we encourage you to begin engaging with current news, media and policy discussions that affect children, young people and families. Developing an awareness of key issues—such as education, mental health, safeguarding, and social inequality—will help you start thinking critically about the real-world contexts that shape practice; in particular, you may wish to explore the proposed Children’s Schools Bill and the latest SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) White Paper.

Building this habit early will support your learning from the outset and help you arrive ready to explore, question and contribute to important and evolving conversations throughout your degree.