Gosforth Group
CFCW Foundation Degree
New Children's Workforce Foundation Degree
Creating futures. Building confidence. Unlocking potential, right here in the North East
Gosforth Group is proud to be partnering with the Centre for Children’s Workforce (CCW) to deliver a new Children’s Workforce Foundation Degree, launching in 2026.
Progress Without Pressing Pause
This two‑year, work‑based foundation degree is designed for professionals who are already working with children, young people and families and do not yet hold a degree. It provides a clear and supportive progression route into degree‑level study, allowing you to build your knowledge and confidence without stepping away from your job or your local community.
Delivered Locally, Validated Nationally
- Gosforth Group is the sole delivery partner in the North East
- Teaching will be delivered locally in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne
- The programme is designed, awarded and quality‑assured by the Centre for Children’s Workforce, in partnership with the University of East London
Designed for Progress, Not Pressure
The programme will be delivered through small, supportive cohorts, enabling learners to:
- Achieve Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications
- Build confidence and academic skills alongside professional practice
- Create a strong foundation for progression to a full Honours Degree
- Open up future career opportunities across a range of children’s, education and community‑based sectors
Course Eligibility
The Children’s Workforce Foundation Degree is not sector‑specific and is ideal for people who:
- Already work with children, young people or families
- Are yet to take their first step into degree‑level study
- Are committed to and understand their local community
- Bring care, skill and dedication to their role
- Are ready to take the next step in their professional journey
Whether you work in classrooms, early years, youth support, early help or social care, this foundation degree is built around you and the work you already do.
It values your experience, fits around your role, builds confidence and opens doors; providing a clear next step without leaving your job or your community behind.
If you’ve ever felt ready to go further, but not able to step away, this degree is designed for you.
How this Foundation Degree Stands Apart
A defining feature of this Foundation Degree is its early and sustained focus on partnership working across the children’s workforce.
From the outset, learners study alongside professionals from a wide range of settings, including:
- Education and early years
- Local authority and early help services
- Family support settings
- Third‑sector, voluntary and community provision, including grass‑roots youth and sports organisations
This intentionally mixed cohort creates early exposure to:
- Different professional roles, responsibilities and perspectives
- Shared safeguarding duties across agencies
- Collaborative, joined‑up approaches to supporting children, young people and families
Rather than learning about partnership working in theory, learners experience it in practice throughout the programme, strengthening confidence in professional dialogue and multi‑disciplinary working.
For employers, this means staff who are better prepared to work effectively across services, communicate with confidence, and contribute to joined‑up practice, supporting early intervention and prevention long before issues reach crisis point.
This is more than a qualification, it’s an investment in the North East’s children’s workforce and the communities it serves.
Where Learning Happens
As the sole delivery partner in the North East of England, Gosforth Group offers a high‑quality local learning environment and strong local, partnership‑working expertise, while the programme itself is designed, awarded and quality‑assured by the Centre for Children’s Workforce in partnership with the University of East London.
Teaching sessions take place at our learning hub in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne. This modern, specialist space provides an accessible and supportive environment where learners can step away from day‑to‑day pressures and come together to learn, reflect and collaborate.
Learners benefit from local, face‑to‑face support while also being connected to a wider national cohort through the Centre for Children’s Workforce, combining strong community roots with national expertise and insight.
At a glance
- Walking distance from Regent Centre Metro and bus station
- Free on‑site parking
- Modern teaching rooms and breakout spaces
- Quiet areas for revision and independent study
- Access to computers and free Wi‑Fi
- Kitchen facilities and refreshments
Accessibility, Inclusion And Belonging
Our learning environments are fully accessible, and we are committed to enabling participation from people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and needs.
Where learners identify practical, personal or accessibility‑related challenges, we actively encourage open conversations so that support can be tailored appropriately.
Above all, every learner should feel that they belong, are valued, and are supported to succeed.
Find Out More
Click Start your journey now to visit the Centre for Children’s Workforce website, where you can find full course information, register your interest, or book an online information webinar. Their team will follow up directly with next steps.
