Mon - Fri
0900 - 1600hrs
Tel: 0800 612 5662
contact@coursetopia.co.uk
Assessor Training
Quality Assurance Courses
Teacher Training
Advice and Guidance
Health and Social Care
Childcare Courses
Management Leadership in Care Qualification

Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare

This Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare has been specified by the sector skills council Skills for Care, in consultation with employers, learning providers and those who use services in the Residential Childcare sector.

This qualification constitutes part of the children’s homes regulations which came into force in April 2015. This qualification will develop and assess the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to effectively work with children and young people in a residential childcare establishment.

The qualification has core shared knowledge and skills that support the vision of the Government and employers providing integrated services and the portability of skills and knowledge across the residential childcare workforce. As such, the content of the qualification is applicable to a variety of roles, for example: Residential Childcare Worker, Support Worker – Residential Childcare, Residential Childcare Officer and Childcare Practitioner.

Coursetopia encourages candidates to submit naturally occurring evidence from their work environment to demonstrate competency against the practical requirements of the course. We welcome other evidence such as prior learning and do not just rely on assignments. This can include schemes of work, assessment reports, course resources and communication records. You are usually expected to complete this course within 4 to 12 months depending on the combination of units you have selected and your pace. The course has a 460 guided learning hours requirement. The total qualification time is 610 hours.

Course Structure of this care Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare course

Candidates must meet a minimum 61 credits to be awarded the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare qualification by completing the following units:

Unit Title Credits
1 Understand the development of children and young people in residential childcare 3
2 Understand how to safeguard and protect children and young people in residential childcare 7
3 Understand how to support children and young people who have experienced harm or abuse 3
4 Promote effective communication and information handling in residential childcare settings 3
5 Support risk management in residential childcare 2
6 Assessment and planning with children and young people in Portfolio residential childcare 3
7 Support group living in residential childcare 3
8 Understand how to support positive outcomes for children and young people in residential childcare 2
9 Support attachment and positive relationships for children and young people in residential childcare 4
10 Support the well-being and resilience of children and young people in residential childcare 3
11 Support children and young people in residential childcare to achieve their learning potential 4
12 Support children and young people in residential childcare to manage their health 2
13 Support the development of socially aware behaviour with children and young people in residential childcare 5
14 Engage in professional development in residential childcare settings 3
15 Support the rights, diversity and equality of children and young people in residential childcare 3
16 Participate in teams to benefit children and young people in residential childcare 3
17 Understand the care system and its impact on children and young people 3
18 Support young people leaving care 6

Course Delivery and Support

This Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare course is delivered by either blended learning or as classroom based. You are expected to meet all course requirements regardless of the method of delivery. There should be evidence of learning and meeting all the assessment criteria.

Fast track is also available to candidates who can work at a faster pace and have access to learning opportunities. You will also be expected to have the capacity to meet all course requirements within a shorter time scale and ideally have evidence of prior learning.

Classroom (Face-to-face Classes or Workshops)

This is the ideal course delivery as it allows all practical requirements to be demonstrated and observed in real time. All course requirements will need to be completed within the classroom.

Blended Learning

This mode of learning is ideal for candidates who want to complete part of the course by distance learning. All practical requirements of the course will need to be demonstrated or carried out either during classroom attendance or observed in real time by video.

Online (Distance Learning)

This mode of learning is ideal for candidates who want to complete the course entirely or mostly by distance learning. Evidence of practice will however need to be provided in the form of work products, expert witnesses, observations or any other appropriate and suitable method that demonstrates your competency.

All candidates will be allocated an assessor on enrolment and given access to coursework, resources and learning opportunities. Course events include forums, web conferences, and face-to-face sessions.

How long is this Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare course?

We are often asked how quick someone can complete this course? This depends on a number of factors which includes your own commitment, the quality of your evidence, time, learning and assessment opportunities and your ability to study at a high level.

Candidates joining the course with evidence of prior learning and credits from other qualifications will obviously be able to complete quicker than someone without. If you invest more time on the course such as 15 hours a week then you will most likely complete earlier compared to someone who commits less time. On the other hand if you find yourself needing more time than the curse duration you can negotiate for more time during your initial assessment planning. You can also apply for extensions.

Please bear in mind that you will be required to evidence learning and participate in course activities. This is a regulated qualification that will be quality assured and monitored by awarding bodies and Ofqual. We however expect you to complete the course within 4 to 12 months.

Entry Requirements

The Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare course is has no specific entry requirements. Learners will however be expected to have qualifications and experience in management roles in the care sector prior to starting the course.

You will be expected to have basic numeracy, literacy and IT skills.


You are required to have access to the internet, computer and a word processor that can open and produce Microsoft Word Documents ending with the extension ‘.doc’. Candidates without Microsoft office are advised to consider free software such as Open Office. You, however, need to ensure your documents are saved and submitted for assessment as word documents ending with the extension ‘.doc’?

Assessment of this Management in Care Course

The Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare is assessed by a portfolio of evidence which you have to compile and submit at the end of the course. The assessment process will involve a range of methods such as prior learning, assignments, reflective accounts, witness statements, questioning observations of practice and work products.

What can l do after completion?

This qualification has value either as a stand-alone qualification or as part of an Apprenticeship. You can go on to complete the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services or other higher education qualifications.

Enrolment (Costs and Signing up)

Please only book if you fully meet all course entry requirements and feel ready to commit some time to achieve the qualification.

The course fee includes registration, support, tutorials, access to resources, assessments, quality assurance and certification. There are no hidden fees.

You are only enrolled when we receive payment for your booking. Payment is normally expected within 5 days from your booking. We are however flexible with corporate bookings where payment terms can be extended subject to arrangement. We also consider alternative customised instalment terms subject to negotiation. Please feel free to propose payment arrangements that suit your needs.

The full cost of the course is £995. You can also pay by instalments starting with a deposit of £178 and five monthly instalments. Each instalment will be £178.

  • About Us
  • Refunds
  • Complaints
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Coursetopia - Focus and Achieve - All Rights Reserved - Copyright @ 2018 - 2024