Families come in different shapes
Families look different from one another. What matters is not the shape but whether care, safety and responsibility are actually there.
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Understand the roles and responsibilities of different types of family and committed relationship
Key learning points
- • Different structures
- • Commitment in law
- • Responsibilities
This lesson at a glance
- 20 minutes
- 19 parts to scroll through
- 4 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 19
Visual introductionPicture this
Families come in different shapes
Families look different from one another. What matters is not the shape but whether care, safety and responsibility are actually there.
In a nutshell
Understand the roles and responsibilities of different types of family and committed relationship
Learning cycle
Part 2 of 19
Learning cycle 1 of 2
Part 1 · Different structures
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 19
Learn
Different structures
Families may include two parents, one parent, step-parents and step-siblings, grandparents raising grandchildren, adoptive and foster families, same-sex parents, and extended families sharing a home. Each can provide a stable, loving upbringing.
Reset break
Part 4 of 19
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Explore the idea
Part 5 of 19
Learn
Commitment in law
In the UK, marriage and civil partnership are legal commitments available to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples. Forced marriage is a crime; marriage requires the free consent of both people, who must be at least eighteen. Many couples live together long-term without marrying.
Quick check
Part 6 of 19
Quick check
Part 7 of 19
Reset break
Part 8 of 19
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Learning cycle
Part 9 of 19
Learning cycle 2 of 2
Part 2 · Responsibilities
A short piece of teaching, then a check to make sure it has landed.
Explore the idea
Part 10 of 19
Learn
Responsibilities
Adults with parental responsibility must provide care, safety, education and a home. Children have rights too, including protection from harm and a say in decisions that affect them, as their understanding develops.
Quick check
Part 11 of 19
Reset break
Part 12 of 19
Pause
That's sitting 3 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 13 of 19
Explore the idea
Part 14 of 19
Worked example
Worked example: what makes a family work
Two households: one has two parents who rarely speak kindly to each other; the other has one parent and a grandparent who share the school run and listen. Judged on structure, the first looks more conventional. Judged on care, safety and reliability — the things that actually affect a child — the second is doing the job.
Challenge round
Part 15 of 19
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Reset break
Part 16 of 19
Pause
That's sitting 4 of 5 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 17 of 19
Game · Recall cards
What matters most about a family?
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 18 of 19
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Families come in different shapes
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. What matters most about a family?
2. What is required for a legal marriage in the UK?
3. Which is a responsibility of adults with parental responsibility?
4. Do children have rights within a family?
Lesson round-up
Part 19 of 19
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
Not sat
Games
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Points this lesson
0
Best run
0 in a row
Luna: 0 out of 4 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 19 · Watch & discover