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Management Leadership in Care Qualification

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

Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) is designed to improve the skills and knowledge of practitioners working with vulnerable children and young people in residential care settings.

This qualification is suitable for those who work within the Residential Childcare sector as a manager or team leader. It provides learners with an opportunity to demonstrate their occupational competence in a management role within children’s homes.

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 6 to 12 months depending on the combination of units you have selected and your pace. The course has a 488 guided learning hours requirement. The total qualification time is 650 hours.

Course Structure of this care leadership and management course

Candidates must meet a minimum 65 credits to be awarded the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) qualification by completing the following units:

Unit Title Credits
1 Understand children and young people’s development in residential childcare 3
2 Understand support for children and young people who are vulnerable and disadvantaged 2
3 Lead and manage a team within a residential childcare setting 5
4 Lead practice to support the safeguarding and protection of children and young people in residential childcare 8
5 Lead practice for communication and information management in residential childcare settings 4
6 Manage risk in residential childcare 3
7 Lead and manage group living in residential childcare 4
8 Lead a service that can support children or young people who have experienced harm or abuse 3
9 Lead practice to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people in residential childcare 5
10 Implement a positive relationship policy in residential childcare 6
11 Lead practice to support the well-being and resilience of children and young people in residential childcare 3
12 Lead practice in safe use of digital, internet and mobile technology with children and young people 2
13 Undertake professional development in residential childcare settings 2
14 Lead practice to promote the rights, diversity and equality of children and young people in residential childcare 3
15 Lead networks and multi-agency work to benefit children and young people in residential childcare 4
16 Understand the care system and its impact on children and young people 3
17 Lead practice to support young people leaving care 4
18 Understand the context of residential childcare for children and young people with complex disabilities or conditions 3

Course Delivery and Support

This Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) 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 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) 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 6 to 12 months.

Entry Requirements

The Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) 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 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) 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 provides Learners with an opportunity to demonstrate their experience in management roles such as a Children’s Centre Manager, Children’s Care Manager, Deputy Manager or Scheme Manager. This qualification is the accepted qualification for registration and regulation where appropriate and can demonstrate continuing professional development.

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 £1200. You can also pay by instalments starting with a deposit of £130 and nine monthly instalments. Each instalment will be £130.