Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce
This Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce (England) is designed to allow care workers to obtain and then demonstrate the knowledge and skills required when working at level 3 with children and young people. The qualification has three pathways: Early Learning and Children, Social Care, and Learning and Development and Support Services.
About this qualification
The course has a 443 guided learning hours requirement and a total qualification time of 650 hours. You are usually expected to complete within 5 to 12 months. Candidates must meet a minimum 65 credits to be awarded the qualification.
Course Structure
To gain this YPWF qualification, learners must complete the following units:
| Unit Number | Unit Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Promote communication in health, social care or children's and young people's settings | 3 |
| 2 | Engage in personal development in health, social care or children's and young people's settings | 3 |
| 3 | Promote equality and inclusion in health, social care or children's and young people's settings | 2 |
| 4 | Principles for implementing duty of care in health, social care or children's and young people's settings | 1 |
| 5 | Understand child and young person development | 4 |
| 6 | Promote child and young person development | 3 |
| 7 | Understand how to safeguard the wellbeing of children and young people | 3 |
| 8 | Support children and young people's health and safety | 2 |
| 9 | Develop positive relationship with children, young people and others involved in their care | 1 |
| 10 | Working together for the benefit of children and young people | 2 |
| 11 | Understand how to support positive outcomes for children and young people | 3 |
Course Delivery and Support
Online (Distance Learning)
Our online distance learning option allows you to complete this course at your own pace from the comfort of your home or workplace. You will be assigned a dedicated personal tutor who will provide expert guidance, constructive feedback, and individual support throughout your course. All learning materials, assignment templates, and study guides are accessible 24/7 via our online learning portal.
Blended Learning
Blended learning combines the flexibility of independent online study with targeted face-to-face or live virtual workshops. This option allows you to work through theory assignments in your own time while benefiting from interactive practical sessions.
How long is this children's and young people's workforce course?
Key Facts
We expect learners to complete the course within 5 to 12 months depending on study pace and access to workplace evidence.
Entry Requirements
This course has no specific entry requirements. Learners 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.
Assessment
The course is assessed by a portfolio of evidence. Assessment methods include prior learning, assignments, reflective accounts, witness statements, questioning, observations of practice and work products.
What can I do after completion?
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 higher education qualifications.
How This Fits with the Other Childcare and Young People Qualifications
| Qualification | Price | Credits | GLH | Evidence/competency requirement | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce (this course) | £995 | 65 minimum | 443 | Real workplace evidence: witness statements, observations of practice, work products | 5 to 12 months |
| Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare | £995 | 29 | 325 | Real workplace evidence within a residential childcare setting | Not stated |
| Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Children's Services | £1200 | 23 | Not stated | Real workplace evidence in a leadership or management role | Not stated |
| Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare | £1200 | 65 minimum | 488 | Real workplace evidence in a residential childcare leadership role | Not stated |
This Diploma is the broadest of the four, covering the full children and young people's workforce across three pathways, Early Learning and Children, Social Care, and Learning and Development and Support Services, rather than the residential-specific focus of the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare. All four qualifications in this family are genuinely practice based, assessed through witness statements and observations of real work, not just written assignments, so ongoing access to a relevant work setting is needed throughout, whatever the entry requirements section says.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to already be working with children or young people to complete this diploma?
In practice, yes. While the entry requirements don't formally state this, assessment relies on witness statements, observations of practice and real work products, so you'll need ongoing access to a childcare or young people's work setting throughout the qualification to gather this evidence.
What kind of evidence will I need to provide?
A portfolio built from a mix of prior learning, written assignments, reflective accounts, witness statements from colleagues or supervisors, questioning by your assessor, direct observations of your practice, and work products such as records or plans you've produced in your role. This is a genuinely practice-based qualification, not a knowledge-only one.
What are the three pathways mentioned on this course?
Early Learning and Children, Social Care, and Learning and Development and Support Services. These reflect the different settings children and young people's workforce staff work in, contact us to discuss which pathway matches your current role.
What can I progress to after completing this diploma?
The Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare if you want to specialise in residential settings, or the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Children's Services if you're moving into, or already in, a leadership or management role.
Enrolment (Costs and Signing up)
Our course fees are fully inclusive and cover awarding body registration, dedicated tutor support, tutorial guidance, access to online learning resources, portfolio assessments, quality assurance and certification. There are no hidden fees. Payment is required within 5 days of booking.
The Full cost of the Level 3 Diploma is £995. This can also be paid by 10 monthly instalments. Each instalment is £105.
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