Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare
The required qualification for anyone working in residential care with children and young people. Aligned with Ofsted's Children's Homes Regulations, this diploma meets the mandatory qualification requirements for residential childcare staff.
16
Mand. units
61
Credits
Portfolio
Assessment
In person
Observation
18+
Minimum age
What you'll study
This unit provides the knowledge and understanding required in residential childcare settings about the development of children and young people.
Unit ref F/506/7653 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and understanding required to safeguard and protect children and young people in residential childcare settings.
Unit ref T/506/8363 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and understanding required to support children and young people who have experienced harm or abuse.
Unit ref A/506/8364 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and skills required to promote effective communication and information handling in residential childcare settings.
Unit ref A/506/8526 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and skills required to support risk management in residential childcare.
Unit ref J/506/7587 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and skills required to carry out assessment and planning with children and young people in residential childcare.
Unit ref A/506/7828 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and skills required to support group living in residential childcare.
Unit ref L/506/7588 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and understanding required to support positive outcomes for children and young people in residential childcare.
Unit ref A/506/7618 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and skills required to support children and young people in residential childcare to develop attachment and form positive relationships.
Unit ref M/506/7616 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and skills required to support the well-being and resilience of children and young people in residential childcare.
Unit ref T/506/7617 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and skills required to support children and young people in residential childcare to achieve their learning potential.
Unit ref L/506/7798 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and skills required to support children and young people in residential childcare to manage their health.
Unit ref D/506/7594 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and skills required to support the development of socially aware behaviour with children and young people in residential childcare settings.
Unit ref Y/506/8193 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and skills required to engage in professional development in residential childcare settings.
Unit ref F/506/7782 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and skills required to support the rights, diversity and equality of children and young people in residential childcare.
Unit ref R/506/7592 · Level 3
This unit provides the knowledge and skills required to participate in teams to benefit children and young people in residential childcare.
Unit ref F/506/7605 · Level 3
Optional units
Alongside the 16 mandatory units, we deliver these 2 optional units.
This unit provides the knowledge and understanding required to understand the care system and its impact on children and young people.
Unit ref H/506/7595 · Level 4
This unit assesses support for use of medication in social care settings. It covers broad types, classifications and forms of medication, as well as safe handling and storage, and includes the need for accurate recording and reporting.
Unit ref F/601/4056 · Level 3
53 credits from 16 mandatory units, plus your optional units
Unit details taken from the NCFE CACHE qualification specification v6.5 (June 2023). Check the latest version on the NCFE website
Assessment & Requirements
How you'll be assessed
Portfolio of evidence and work-based learning in the residential childcare field
Teaching methods
Online personal tutoring & face-to-face observation
Placement hours
You'll need to be working, volunteering or on placement in a residential childcare setting. NCFE recommends 400 hours in a real work environment if you're new to the sector.
Who this is for
Aspiring residential childcare workers
Career Outcomes
With this qualification you'll be eligible for roles including:
Residential Childcare Worker
£22,000–£27,000
per year
Senior Support Worker
£25,000–£30,000
per year
Deputy House Manager
£28,000–£34,000
per year
Career Ladder
See where this qualification fits in your career journey.
Level 3
Diploma for Residential Childcare
as Residential Childcare Worker, Senior Support Worker, Deputy House Manager
Level 5
Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcareas Deputy Manager, Children's Home, Registered Manager, Children's Home
What's included
Everything included, whichever pace you choose
Every course comes with full assessor support, materials, and a money-back guarantee — no matter your pace. Choose Fast Track and you also get quicker feedback turnaround, priority support, and flexible pacing.
Fees & Payments
However you'd rather pay
Pay in full, or spread the cost across 18 months — whichever suits you best. No interest, no credit check, and every session with your assessor is included.
September Sale — prices below end 28 September
£999 £1,099
Pay in full
£61.44/mo £67
for 18 months
£156.50
Registration fee
14 days
Money back guarantee
- No interest and no credit check, whichever way you pay.
- The registration fee is paid directly to NCFE, not to us — it's included in the total above.
- All support sessions with your assessor are included — no extra charge.
- Your course includes in-person observation. There's no travel fee if you're under 2 hours from London Paddington (one way); beyond that it's £100–£250 per visit, added to your first payment. See how fees work →
- Not sure? You have a full 14-day money-back guarantee from the date of enrolment, no questions asked. See our refund policy →
- Need longer than the standard duration? Extensions are available at an additional cost. Learn more in our Terms & Conditions →
Work out your price
1. Choose your pace
2. Choose how you'd like to pay
3. How far are you from London Paddington?
Your assessor visits you in person. Work out the one-way journey by public transport, travelling in the daytime (10am–4pm). Journeys under 2 hours carry no travel fee. Check your shortest journey on Google Maps →
4. Your price
Ready to get started?
Apply in 4 minutes — your qualification starts here.
14-day risk-free guarantee. Full refund if it's not right for you.