After a period of review and redevelopment, the School of SSESW is delighted to confirm that our new postgraduate programme for child and family social workers launches in September 2025. The MSc/PGDip/PGCert in Advanced Social Work with Children, Young People and Families builds on the strengths of our former Children and Families pathway, which had been placed on pause to allow space for reflection and redesign. This came at a time when sector needs were shifting and enrolment patterns indicated the value of a more flexible, practice-oriented model.

The redesigned programme offers a part-time structure over two to three years, with clear alignment to the Professional in Practice (PiP) framework. Completion of Year 1 meets Consolidation Award requirements, Year 2 supports the Specialist Award, and the final MSc year aligns with the Leadership Award. Two bespoke systemic practice modules will also allow students to gain Foundation-level accreditation with the Association of Family Therapy and Systemic Practice UK.

Updated content reflects current practice priorities - covering areas such as assessment, risk, parenting capacity, child participation and service development. Modules will be delivered by members of our Centre for Child, Youth and Family Welfare, alongside experienced external tutors supporting systemic skills and reflective practice.

This programme marks a renewed commitment to supporting professional development in child and family social work - meeting workforce needs, supporting staff wellbeing and ultimately improving outcomes for children and families.

Programme Director, Professor Lisa Bunting said:

A huge thanks to everyone who contributed to the redevelopment process. This has been a genuinely collaborative effort involving School of SSESW colleagues, the Queen’s University Centre for Child, Youth and Family Welfare, and key external stakeholders including the Northern Ireland Social Care Council, Health and Social Care Trust Learning and Development teams, and frontline practitioners. Applications are open now and we look forward to welcoming the first cohort of students in September.