The Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) and the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) are relatively new qualifications designed to support learners who want to work in a care or management role in residential childcare and who have not previously achieved an existing relevant qualification. From 05 January 2015 learners who want to work in residential childcare will need to register on one of these two Diplomas. 
Reference Link: 60152680

What do the qualifications cover?

Mandatory
Core knowledge
Understand the development of children and young people in residential childcare
Understand how to safeguard and protect children and young people in residential childcare
Understand how to support children and young people who have experienced harm or abuse
Core skills
Promote effective communication and information handling in residential childcare settings
Support risk management in residential childcare
Assessment and planning with children and young people in residential childcare
Support group living in residential childcare
Achieving outcomes
Understand how to support positive outcomes for children and young people in residential childcare
Support attachment and positive relationships for children and young people in residential childcare
Support the well-being and resilience of children and young people in residential childcare
Support children and young people in residential childcare to achieve their learning potential
Support children and young people in residential childcare to manage their health
Support the development of socially aware behaviour with children and young people in residential childcare
Professional practice
Engage in professional development in residential childcare settings
Support the rights, diversity and equality of children and young people in residential childcare
Participate in teams to benefit children and young people in residential childcare

What opportunities for progression are there?
Learners may progress onto the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) (4340-51). New residential care workers will need to achieve the qualification within two years from employment. This qualification will be the accepted qualification for registr
ation and regulation where appropriate and can demonstrate continuing professional development. Who did we develop the qualification with? This qualification has been developed as the result of a review of the existing residential childcare qualifications and provision driven by the Secretary of State for Children and Families in light of the recent reports highlighting the shortfalls in residential childcare. It has been developed by the Department for Education, Skills for Care and Development and the employers in the industry.
Is it part of an apprenticeship framework or initiative?
This qualification will form part of the Children and Young People's Workforce Residential Care Pathway (England) Apprenticeship available from January 2015.