Childcare and Young People Courses

Our Childcare Courses

Our courses are delivered by an experienced team who are committed to getting you qualified as soon as possible. These courses will require demonstration of practice in the work place and will require dedication and committment to ensure success. Coursetopia delivers our childcare courses by blended learning which involves online and evidence of practice. There is an option of fast track for learners who have prior learning and are enable to handle the demands of the qualification without compromising quality.

• Level 3
  OnlineBlended

  Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce (England)

  The Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People Workforce (England) is for care workers to obtain and then demonstrate the knowledge and skills required when working at level 3 with children and young people.

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• Level 3
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  Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare

  The 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 homes regulations which came into force in April 2015.

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• Level 5
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  Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services

  This Level 5 Diploma is designed to improve the quality of care provided to vulnerable people in adult, childcare, and young people settings by guiding and assessing the development of knowledge and skills to confirm occupational competence.

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• Level 5
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  Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England)

  This qualification aims to improve the quality of care provided to vulnerable children and young people in residential care by guiding and assessing the development of knowledge and skills to confirm occupational competence.

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Comparing the Four Childcare Qualifications

Qualification	Price	Level	Credits	GLH	Setting	Duration
Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce (England)	£995	Level 3	65 minimum	443	General children and young people's workforce settings	5 to 12 months
Diploma for Residential Childcare	£995	Level 3	29	325	Residential childcare settings specifically (specified by Skills for Care for this sector)	6 to 12 months
Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services	£1,200	Level 5	23	Not stated	Management/leadership roles across health and social care and children/young people's services generally	6 to 18 months
Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England)	£1,200	Level 5	65 minimum	488	Residential childcare management specifically, the Ofsted-required qualification for registered managers of children's homes	6 to 12 months

The two Level 3 diplomas sit at the same level and price but different scope: one covers the children and young people's workforce generally, the other is specific to residential childcare settings. The same split applies at Level 5: one covers leadership broadly across health and social care and children's services, the other is specific to leading and managing a residential childcare setting, and is the qualification Ofsted requires for registered managers of children's homes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the two Level 3 diplomas?

The Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce covers general roles across the children and young people's sector. The Diploma for Residential Childcare is specific to residential settings, such as children's homes, and is the qualification specified by Skills for Care for that sector. If you work specifically in residential childcare, that's the more directly relevant of the two.

What's the difference between the two Level 5 diplomas?

The Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People's Services covers management and leadership broadly across both sectors. The Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare is specific to leading a residential childcare setting, and is the qualification Ofsted's regulations require for registered managers of children's homes.

Is the Level 5 Residential Childcare diploma legally required to manage a children's home?

Yes. Under Regulation 28 of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, a registered manager of a children's home must hold the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or be enrolled on it within 6 months of taking up the post and complete it within 3 years. This qualification requirement is separate from, and doesn't substitute for, the relevant experience Ofsted also requires, and there's no exemption based on the size of the home or care model used.

Do I need the Level 3 diploma before starting the Level 5?

Neither Level 5 diploma lists a specific prior qualification as a formal entry requirement, but both expect you to already be working in a relevant management or leadership role, so in practice most learners will have built up relevant experience, and often a Level 3 qualification, before starting at Level 5.

Which awarding body issues these qualifications?

We hold centre approval with NOCN, Innovate Awarding, and Biiab under our brand, Focus and Achieve (FAA). Contact us if you need to know exactly which body a specific qualification sits under.