Diploma in Residential Childcare (England)

This course has several starting dates throughout the year, please apply at an early stage.

This is a competency based course recognising your ability to gain a good knowledge and understanding of a subject and to perform varied tasks in your workplace. You will be observed and you will also be completing assignments.

This is primarily for those working in a senior position a face-to-face role with children or young people in a residential setting. You will undertake 16 Mandatory units examples of which are listed below together with a choice of optional units dependent on your job role and the needs of the individuals in your care.

Teaching and learning methods

All delivery takes place in the workplace and via the Onefile portfolio. This course is suitable for independent learners.

Modules and assessment

To achieve the City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England), learners must achieve 16 mandatory units and a minimum of 3 optional units.

Examples of Mandatory units:

• 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
• 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
• Understand how to support positive outcomes for children and young people in residential childcare

Dates for 2026 – 2027 are as follows:

Next steps: 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 a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services or Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare dependent on your job role.

To find out more:
Telephone: 01392 400170
Email: adultadvice@exe-coll.ac.uk

You must be working in a senior position in a residential childcare setting and must complete a DSB/CRB check for your employer. You need excellent communication and organisational skills and be motivated to learn. You will have to undertake an interview and complete a skills scan and an initial assessment.

Grade C/4 or above in in GCSE English is an advantage.

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)

Funding Availability 

Self-Financing: No funding available for this course. For fee’s over £150, you can set up an instalment plan to pay over 3 months (50% on the first month, and 25% for the following 2 months)

Additional Costs

Your tutor will discuss appropriate text books with you at the start of your course.