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Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare -CYP
This qualification allows learners to develop knowledge, understanding and skills related to the leadership and management of practitioners in Residential Childcare.
Study and Delivery Methods
A blended approach designed for working professionals. Endorsed to meet the UK Care Standards.
Study anytime anywhere with access to resources and our secure learning platform which helps you track your progress.
You’ll be supported by a qualified tutor who will guide you through each learning stage and offer feedback to help you succeed.
Study anytime anywhere with access to resources and our secure learning platform which helps you track your progress.
Study flexibly at your own pace over 9–12 months.
Gain a Nationally Recognised Highfield Certificate
Alligned with recognised UK care standards
Enquire Now your Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare -CYP
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COURSE OVERVIEW
The Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management in Residential Childcare is a nationally recognised qualification designed for experienced childcare workers ready to step into senior leadership roles within children’s residential services.
Throughout the course, you will build an advanced knowledge in childcare leadership, communication, risk management, safeguarding, and inclusive practice, while applying learning directly within their workplace. The programme supports person-centred leadership, ensuring children and young people receive safe, supportive, and outcome-focused care aligned with current legislation and Ofsted expectations.
Practical learning activities aligned with real workplace requirements
Workplace observation assessments to demonstrate on-the-job competence
Access to resources, including discounted QCS policies and toolkits
One-to-one remote tutor support with weekday access to assessors
Live/recorded webinars and a learning portal for resources and progress tracking
This is more than a qualification — it’s a real step forward in your care career.
Course Content - Level 5 diploma in residential child CARE
The Level 5 Diploma in Residential Childcare is made up of 22 units dedicated to developing learners’ leadership skills in residential childcare. Each unit offers practical guidance you can apply straight away in your day-to-day care delivery in residential childcare.
You will:
- Understand developmental milestones and transitions
- Recognise factors influencing growth and wellbeing
- Apply development knowledge to leadership practice
You will:
- Apply safeguarding legislation and policies
- Manage disclosures and safeguarding responses
- Promote safe organisational culture
You will:
- Support staff supervision and performance
- Develop effective team dynamics
- Lead with accountability and professionalism
You will:
- Support trauma-informed approaches
- Recognise mental health needs
- Promote holistic wellbeing strategies
You will:
- Manage communication systems effectively
- Maintain confidentiality and accurate records
- Use appropriate digital platforms
You will:
- Carry out risk assessments confidently
- Balance positive risk-taking with safeguarding
- Maintain compliance with regulations
You will:
- Create positive home environments
- Manage group dynamics and behaviour
- Promote safety and structure
You will:
- Promote inclusive care planning
- Advocate for reasonable adjustments
- Support diverse needs
You will:
- Support wellbeing and achievement
- Promote education and personal development
- Encourage independence
You will:
- Apply attachment theory
- Maintain professional boundaries
- Build trusting relationships
You will:
- Strengthen protective factors
- Support recovery and resilience
- Promote emotional wellbeing
You will:
- Promote online safety
- Manage digital risks responsibly
- Support safe technology use
You will:
- Use reflective practice
- Plan CPD activities
- Support professional growth
You will:
- Apply UNCRC and equality legislation
- Promote inclusive practice
- Challenge discrimination
You will:
- Support life skills development
- Encourage independence
- Promote person-centred planning
You will:
- Understand residential care frameworks
- Support transitions across services
- Navigate statutory systems
You will:
- Use de-escalation techniques
- Apply trauma-informed approaches
- Maintain safeguarding responsibilities
You will:
- Coordinate multidisciplinary support
- Apply personalised care approaches
- Support complex care planning
You will:
- Follow complaint procedures
- Maintain accurate records
- Support service improvement
You will:
- Encourage children’s voices
- Support co-production approaches
- Promote decision-making involvement
You will:
- Plan transitions effectively
- Support emotional wellbeing during change
- Work with partner agencies
You will:
- Understand legislation and inspection frameworks
- Apply Ofsted expectations
- Lead within regulated environments
Entry Requirements For Level 5 Diploma In Residential Childcare Care
Learner must be aged 18 or over
Learner must have completed the mandatory Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
Must be currently working in a residential childcare setting
Must be based in England (aligned with English legislation and regulation)
There are no formal exams. Instead, you’ll demonstrate your learning and competence through practical, real-world activities in your workplace.
Professional discussions and assignments
Reflective practice logs
Evidence from work settings
Workplace observations by a qualified assessor
Nationally recognised qualification awarded by Pearson. Endorsed by Skills for Care and aligned with Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards.
Fees & Funding
We’re here to make your learning journey as accessible as possible with full payment options or flexible payment, we offer several options to suit you.
- Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS)
- Advanced Learner Loans
- Easy payment plans to spread cost
Career Progression With Level 5 Diploma In Residential Care
Completing the Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care is an obvious sign that you are ready to make a real difference in adult care leadership. By the end of the course, you will have the skills to guide teams, improve care quality, and promote person-centered care delivery in care settings.
Typical roles include:
- Residential childcare team leader
- Registered Manager in children’s home
- Residential Childcare Service Manager
With this diploma, you’ll be ready to take on more responsibility in your role or progress into senior care roles.
ADVANCE INTO FURTHER STUDY WITH RECOGNISED qualifications
Level 5 Diploma in Adult Care
This course is designed for experienced professionals working in supervisory, senior or management roles within the care sector.
Course Length
9-12 Months
Pricing
LDSS Funding Available, Advanced Learner Loans Plus Easy payment plans
CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership
Ideal for Care Supervisors, Registered, Deputy Managers and future Operational Leaders
Course Length
Self-paced
Pricing
Government Funding Available, Easy payment plans
CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership
- Designed for professionals looking to develop advanced strategic leadership skills, organisational planning, and high-level decision-making capability.
Course Length
Self-paced
Pricing
Government Funding Available Plus Easy payment plans
FAQs - Level 5 Diploma in Residential ChildCare
The Level 5 Diploma in Residential Childcare is designed to develop advanced leadership skills for managing teams and services in children’s residential settings, with a strong focus on safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, and positive outcomes for children and young people.
This qualification is most suitable for experienced residential childcare practitioners who have completed the mandatory Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare and are ready to move into leadership and management roles in children’s homes.
Enrolling in the Level 5 Diploma in Residential Childcare requires the following;
- You must be aged 18+
- Completed the mandatory Level 3 Diploma in Residential Childcare
- Currently working in a residential childcare setting.
This qualification is self-paced and can be completed within 9–12 months, depending on your level of dedication and commitment to study.
Basically, there are No exams. Assessment is conducted through workplace observations, reflective logs, professional discussions, assignments, and evidence from your leadership role.
The Level 5 Diploma in Residential Childcare is made up of 22 units covering safeguarding, team leadership, risk management, group living, transitions, and professional practice in residential childcare.
Yes. The Level 5 Diploma in Residential Childcare aligns with Ofsted expectations and regulatory frameworks for leadership in residential childcare in England.
This qualification is delivered flexibly online with a secure portal, expert tutor and assessor available to support you during your learning and daily drop-in workshops, and access to discounted QCS resources (depending on your enrolment method)
When you enrol with Access Skills, you get to enjoy a lot of funding options and you can pick the one that best fits you. Available funding options include;
- Flexible payment plans if you are self-funded
- LDSS funding for employers with updated ASC-WDS data
- Advanced Learner Loans
- Group discounts for multiple enrolment.
Upon completing the Level 5 Diploma in Residential Childcare, you’re fully fit to a children’s residential services and you can also progress to further leadership qualifications via CMI Qualifications.
Our Matrix-accredited training has supported more than 12,000 learners nationwide. With a 4.8/5 rating, our flexible approach truly stands out.
Leave your feedback
“After years of working on the floor, moving into a management role required a totally different skillset. This course helped me bridge that gap. The reflective tasks made me rethink how I communicate, and I’ve noticed the children and staff benefiting from a more consistent and organised home environment.”
“Stepping into leadership in a residential childcare setting felt overwhelming at first, especially managing a team with mixed levels of experience. The Level 5 Diploma helped me understand how to lead with clarity and confidence. I now approach difficult conversations calmly, and my team actually looks to me for direction”
“What really made this qualification work for me was the supportive structure. Even with a demanding rota and family commitments, the assessor worked around my schedule and kept me motivated. The course felt achievable without being easy and finishing it has given me a huge sense of pride all thanks to Access Skills.”
“After six years in leadership, I didn’t realise how much more there was for me to learn. The Level 5 programme really broadened my perspective, and it’s amazing to think it all started from attending their free webinars. The leadership modules were practical, relevant, and rooted in real situations we face every day in residential childcare. It genuinely strengthened the way I lead.”
These are just a few of our learners’ journeys we’ve been a part of.
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