‘One of a kind’ course accredited by UWE Bristol recognised with Princess Royal Training Award

A foundation degree accredited by UWE Bristol has been awarded a prestigious City & Guilds Princess Royal Training Award.

The Foundation Degree in Therapeutic Work with Children and Young People (FdA), run by The Mulberry Bush Charity in Oxfordshire and validated by UWE Bristol, has earned the award for a second time after also being recognised with the prize in 2021.

The course received the honour by maintaining and developing the degree to meet the high standards of the award.

The foundation degree is the only one of its kind in the UK to be delivered by a therapeutic care organisation and accredited by a university. It has been specially designed for practitioners in the childcare sector and is suitable for those working in education, both mainstream and special, residential care, or health settings working with children or young people who have experienced trauma or mental health difficulties.

To date, the foundation degree has seen over 226 candidates go on to graduate and put their learning into practice at organisations across the country.

Dr Dave Roberts, Deputy CEO and Head of Outreach at the Mulberry Bush, said: “This is a fantastic reflection on the Mulberry Bush’s commitment to staff development and the commitment to improving standards of care for children, not only those at the Mulberry Bush School but those in other settings where staff enrol on the FdA.”

Professor Peter Clegg, Dean and Head of the School of Social Sciences at UWE Bristol, said: “It is a great privilege to support Mulberry Bush and this unique programme. The FdA receives excellent student feedback, and this second City & Guilds Princess Royal Training Award is a testament to its sustained quality and impact.”

Former FdA student and now Mulberry Bush therapeutic childcare practitioner Lauren-Rose Morgan said: “I couldn’t recommend the FDA enough to those working in therapeutic environments. It is insightful, thoughtful and gave me the knowledge I needed to give me confidence in working in a therapeutic community. My tutors were helpful and supportive in guiding me through the two years and I couldn’t have done it without them. I enjoyed the course so much that I'm opting to do a third year!”