Social Sciences

Diploma in Child Protection

The Diploma in Child Protection is a programme that equips students with knowledge and practical skills in child welfare, child rights and child protection practice. Offered at Pwani University through the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the programme prepares students for careers in child protection services and social welfare.

The curriculum covers child development, child rights and law, child protection systems, child safeguarding, child abuse and neglect, child counselling, family support, social work practice, community development, child welfare policies, juvenile justice, child health and nutrition, research methods, communication skills, ICT and entrepreneurship. Students develop both theoretical knowledge and practical child protection skills.

Kenya's child protection sector requires trained professionals who can identify, respond to and prevent child abuse, neglect and exploitation. The programme responds to the need for skilled child protection officers who can work with government agencies, NGOs and community organisations to safeguard children's welfare.

The programme is delivered through lectures, case studies, field visits to child protection agencies, practical exercises, counselling skills training and industrial attachment. Students gain hands-on experience in child protection practice through field visits, case study analysis and attachment at child protection organisations.

Graduates pursue careers as child protection officers, social work assistants, child welfare officers, children's officers, programme assistants in child-focused NGOs, family support workers and community development officers in government departments, children's departments, NGOs, children's homes, schools and community organisations. They can also progress to a Bachelor of Arts in Child Care and Protection or related degree programmes.

Prospective students should have empathy, communication skills and interest in child welfare. The programme is suitable for students seeking practical skills for child protection and social welfare careers.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 67,189
Private, up to: Ksh 36,000
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 3 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Diploma

What you study

8 subjects

Child Development and Child Rights
Child Protection Systems and Safeguarding
Child Abuse, Neglect and Counselling
Social Work Practice and Family Support
Community Development and Child Welfare Policies
Juvenile Justice and Child Health
Research Methods and Communication Skills
ICT and Entrepreneurship

Modules

8 in the programme

Child Development and Child Rights
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers child development theories, developmental stages, child psychology, children's rights, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Kenyan children's law.
Child Protection Systems and Safeguarding
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers child protection frameworks, safeguarding policies, reporting mechanisms, child protection procedures, case management and referral systems.
Child Abuse, Neglect and Counselling
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers types of child abuse and neglect, identification, assessment, intervention, child counselling techniques, trauma-informed care and family counselling.
Social Work Practice and Family Support
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers social work principles, family assessment, family support interventions, home visits, parenting support and community-based child protection.
Child Welfare Policies and Juvenile Justice
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers Kenyan child welfare policies, Children's Act, juvenile justice system, child offenders, diversion programmes and legal frameworks for child protection.
Community Development and Child Health
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers community development principles, community mobilisation for child protection, child health, nutrition, immunisation and public health interventions.
Research Methods and Communication Skills
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers research methodology, data collection, report writing, communication skills, advocacy, ICT and entrepreneurship for child protection practice.
Industrial Attachment and Project
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
A three-month industrial attachment at a child protection organisation, assessed through an attachment report and a child protection case study project.

Specialisations

Child Safeguarding
Focuses on child safeguarding policies, procedures and organisational child protection for careers in safeguarding.
Child Counselling
Specialises in child counselling techniques, trauma-informed care and therapeutic interventions for children.
Juvenile Justice
Focuses on juvenile justice, child offenders and legal frameworks for careers in the justice system.
Family Support
Specialises in family support, parenting programmes and community-based child protection interventions.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on child development or child rights law, followed by a case study discussion on child abuse and neglect. Afternoon sessions may include a counselling skills workshop, a group exercise on child protection procedures, or a field visit to a children's home or child protection agency. Students also work on research assignments and prepare attachment reports.

The trade offs

In its favour

Child protection is a growing field in Kenya with increasing demand for trained professionals in government and NGO sectors.
The programme provides a direct pathway to a Bachelor of Arts in Child Care and Protection at Pwani University.
The programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical field experience through industrial attachment.

Against it

Child protection work can be emotionally challenging, requiring resilience and self-care strategies.
The programme is offered at only one university, limiting study location options.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 241 social sciences courses

Public67k to 67k

67k at Public TVET institutions (KUCCPS standardised rate)67k at Public TVET institutions (KUCCPS standardised rate)

Private24k to 36k

24k at East Africa Vision Institute36k at East Africa Vision Institute

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

TVET 67,189/yr public (educationnewshub). EAVI 12K/sem private (smartd.co.ke).

Students can access HELB loans. Pwani University may offer internal bursaries for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised institutions

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C
Alternative entry: KCE Division III, or KACE with one Principal pass and one Subsidiary, or KCSE C- with a Certificate in a relevant area from a recognised institution.

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering child development, child rights and protection theory.
Case Study Exercises
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of case study analysis, counselling skills exercises and child protection scenario responses.
Research Project
Project40% of the mark
A research project on a child protection topic, assessed through a written report and oral presentation.
Industrial Attachment Report
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of performance during industrial attachment at a child protection organisation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Pwani University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Pwani University's School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Child Protection Officer
Moderate demandKsh 35,000 to Ksh 120,000
Identifies and responds to child protection cases, conducts assessments, manages cases, provides counselling and supports child safeguarding in organisations.
Social Work Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 90,000
Supports social work practice, conducts home visits, assists with case management, provides family support and coordinates community interventions.
Child Welfare Officer
Moderate demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 100,000
Works with government departments and NGOs to provide child welfare services, support vulnerable children and coordinate child protection interventions.
Programme Assistant (Child-Focused NGO)
Moderate demandKsh 33,000 to Ksh 110,000
Supports child protection programmes in NGOs, assists with project implementation, monitoring and reporting, and coordinates community activities.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as child protection officers, social work assistants and child welfare officers in government departments, NGOs and community organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Commission for University Education (CUE) Accreditation

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Child protection is just about rescuing children.
Child protection encompasses prevention, early intervention, family support, counselling, legal frameworks, community awareness and policy advocacy, requiring diverse skills and knowledge.
Only social workers can do child protection.
Child protection involves professionals from various fields including social work, law, health, education and community development, with the diploma providing a specialised entry point.
Child protection has no career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's child protection system employs officers in government departments, NGOs, children's homes, schools and international organisations, with growing demand for trained professionals.
Child protection is emotionally draining and not rewarding.
While child protection work can be challenging, it is deeply rewarding, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in children's lives and communities.