Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England)

This course has several starting dates throughout the year.

The City & Guilds Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare enables learners to develop the knowledge and skills needed to work in in Residential Childcare Leadership roles in England.

This qualification is the required qualification for learners wanting to work in residential care with children in a management role. New managers will need to complete the qualification within three years of employment This qualification will be the accepted qualification for registration and regulation where appropriate and can demonstrate continuing professional development.

Teaching and learning methods

You will be taught in college for 3 hours per week in the first year. Your assessor will arrange to see you in your work place for the whole of the two year period. You will complete an online portfolio, which is accessible 24/7. Taught sessions are run on a weekly basis.

Modules and assessment

There will practical assessments for each unit which will take place in the workplace by a qualified college assessor. All of the theory will be assessed by assignments and professional discussions and your practice will be assessed in your workplace by a range of methods including observations in line with the requirements of the City & Guilds of London Institute. You will be supported by your Skills officer to build an electronic portfolio of evidence.

Examples of Mandatory units

• Understand children and young people’s development in residential childcare
• Understand support for children and young people who are vulnerable and disadvantaged
• Lead and manage a team within a residential childcare setting
• Lead practice to support the safeguarding and protection of children and young people in residential childcare
• Lead practice for communication and information management in residential childcare settings
• Manage risk in residential childcare
• Lead and manage group living in residential childcare
• Lead a service that can support children or young people who have experienced harm or abuse

Career options and progression

The qualification confirms competence in these areas and serves as the required qualifications for registration and regulatory requirements in the sector where appropriate in England.

You may be able to progress onto the:

• Health and Social Care Studies FdA – 1 year
• Health and Social Care Studies BSc (Hons) top up

You will need to have a very good standard of general education together with excellent communication and motivational skills and a positive attitude. You must be employed in a health and social care managerial role, have a care or management related qualification, NVQ 3 or 4 and considerable experience working within care plus a minimum of GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above.

Your Employer will need to confirm your job role and give permission for College staff to enter their premises to carry out observations of your practice.

• Lectures, tutorial and assessor support
• Online portfolio and resources
• Access to the College Learning Resource Centre (LRC)