Children, Young People and Families Practitioner, Level 4

Practitioners work closely with children, young people, and families to create meaningful, lasting change. They assess complex needs, agree on tailored interventions, and collaborate with other professionals to improve outcomes. Every case is unique, so practitioners use evidence-based approaches and reflective practice to make a real difference.

Practitioners support children in settings such as residential homes, special schools, and secure units. They lead on placement plans and help meet health, education, and social needs - empowering every child to thrive and reach their full potential.

Qualification

On successful completion, apprentices will achieve a Children, Young People and Families Practitioner, Level 4 Apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship details

This apprenticeship covers the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to be a Children, Young People and Families Practitioner, these include:

Knowledge

• Communication that enables the voice of the child, young person or family members to be heard
• Multiple factors that contribute to uncertainty in the lives of children, young people and families
• Equality, rights, diversity and cultural differences, and the values of the organisation in which you are working
• The range of potential safeguarding risk factors (e.g. domestic violence, membership of gangs, missing children, online activity, radicalisation and Prevent agenda), the different forms of harm to children and vulnerable adults (e.g. neglect, child sexual exploitation, physical abuse, emotional abuse) and the local and national thresholds for safeguarding
• the safeguarding requirements contained within mandatory local safeguarding training or nationally accredited equivalent
• Child, adolescent and adult development
• The spectrum of needs and how they may be met
• The principles of effective assessment and the importance of analysis and professional judgement

Skills

• Communicates in a way that enables the voice of the child, young person or family members to be heard
• Encourages individuals to engage positively with their community and relevant agencies and actively participate in the way their care and support is delivered
• Actively promotes respect, equality, diversity and inclusion
• Works together with children, young people and families to keep them safe and manage risk and promoting the development of skills the family need to successfully manage risk themselves
• Works with and supports other professionals to respond to safeguarding concerns
• Identifies the influences on the individual and the family and supports them to make informed choices
• Leads on the development and recording of holistic plans, delivery of interventions and evaluates their effectiveness
• Identifies and addresses barriers to accessing resources

Behaviours

• Care: Respecting and valuing individuals to keep them safe, being affirming and working with them to help them make a positive difference to their lives
• Compassion: Consideration and concern for children, young people and their families, combined with an understanding of the perspective of those you work with
• Courage: Honesty and a positive belief in helping children, young people and families. Being confident when faced with confrontation, holding a safe space to manage and contain really difficult behaviours and working with children, young people and families to challenge and enable them to fulfil their potential 
• Communication: Your work is based on building effective relationships, being perceptive and empathic and building a good rapport
• Competence: The relationships you build to effect change for children, young people and families will be informed by social care ethics and values and will be developed through reflective practice.
• Commitment: Creating sustainable change in others by working alongside children, young people and families and being authentic, consistent, patient, persistent and resilient

Delivery

This apprenticeship combines hands-on experience with structured off-the-job training, ensuring your employee gains practical skills and knowledge to excel in their role.

What’s Included:

• Completion of the required off-the-job training hours
• Attendance at mandatory monthly tutor-led sessions
• Recording independent study in a reflective learning log, capturing experiences, progress, and achievements
• Ongoing support from a Skills Development Tutor, who delivers regular learning and assessment sessions and works closely with your workplace mentor to monitor progress

Entry requirements

• The apprentice must be employed in a relevant job role.
• Ideally, they will hold GCSE grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in English and maths. If not, this will be assessed on an individual basis.
• For apprentices aged 19 and over, Functional Skills is no longer mandatory. However, if an apprentice chooses to opt out, employer approval is required.

Industry Requirement

• An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required for anyone working in this sector.

Progression

On successful completion, apprentices can progress onto higher-level apprenticeships, or supervisory roles within childcare.