Highfield Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (RQF)
Introduction
This qualification specification is designed to outline all you need to know to offer this qualification
at your centre. If you have any further questions, please contact your account manager.
Qualification regulation and support
The Highfield Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (RQF) has been developed and is
awarded by Highfield Qualifications and sits on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The
RQF is a qualification framework regulated by Ofqual.
Key facts
Qualification number: 601/5369/6
Learning aim reference: 60153696
Credit value: 61
Assessment method: Portfolio of evidence
Guided learning hours (GLH): 466
Total qualification time (TQT): 610
Qualification overview and objective
The objective of this qualification is to support a role as a residential childcare worker within children
and young people’s residential childcare services. This qualification is the required qualification for
residential childcare workers.
This is a combined knowledge and competency qualification and must be undertaken by individuals
who are working, volunteering or on practical placement within the residential childcare sector.
Learners undertaking this qualification will be working with children and young people from birth
to 25 years of age. This extended age range takes into account the entitlements for children and
young people with complex disabilities and conditions.
This qualification includes mandatory core knowledge relating to the development of children and
young people, safeguarding and protection, and supporting children and young people who have
experienced harm or abuse. It also includes mandatory core skills relating to the use of effective
communication and information handling, risk management, assessment and planning in addition
to supporting group living.
Qualification structure
To complete the Highfield Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (QCF), learners must
complete the following:
- all units contained within the mandatory group
- a minimum of 3 units to achieve a minimum of 8 credits from this group
Mandatory group
Learners must achieve all units in this group totalling 53 credits
Unit
reference Unit title Level GLH Credit
F/506/7653 1 Understand the development of children and young
people in residential childcare 3 25 3
T/506/8363 2 Understand how to safeguard and protect children
and young people in residential childcare 3 63 7
A/506/8364 3 Understand how to support children and young
people who have experienced harm or abuse 3 22 3
A/506/8526 4 Promote effective communication and information
handling in residential childcare settings 3 21 3
J/506/7587 5 Support risk management in residential childcare 3 18 2
L/506/7588 6 Support group living in residential childcare 3 22 3
A/506/7618 7 Understand how to support positive outcomes for
children and young people in residential childcare 3 20 2
M/506/7616 8 Support attachment and positive relationships for
children and young people in residential childcare 3 27 4
T/506/7617 9 Support the well-being and resilience of children and
young people in residential childcare 3 20 3
D/506/7594 10 Support children and young people in residential
childcare to manage their health 3 17 2
R/506/7592 11 Support the rights, diversity and equality of children
and young people in residential childcare 3 24 3
F/506/7605 12 Participate in teams to benefit children and young
people in residential childcare 3 20 3
Y/506/8193
13 Support the development of socially aware
behaviour with children and young people in
residential childcare
3 34 5
F/506/7782 14 Engage in professional development in residential
childcare settings 3 20 3
L/506/7798 15 Support children and young people in residential
childcare to achieve their learning potential 3 30 4
A/506/7828 16 Assessment and planning with children and young
people in residential childcare 3 20 3
Optional group
Learners must complete a minimum of 3 units to achieve a minimum of 8 credits from this group.
Unit
reference Unit title Level GLH Credit
H/506/7595 17 Understand the care system and its impact on
children and young people 4 22 3
J/506/7606 18 Understand the youth justice system as it relates to
residential childcare 4 30 3
K/506/8540 19 Support young people leaving care 3 40 6
R/506/8502 20 Understand residential childcare for children and
young people with complex disabilities or conditions 3 27 3
L/506/8501
21 Understand support for young people with complex
disabilities or conditions making the transition into
adulthood
3 24 3
K/506/7596 22 Work with the families of children and young people
in residential childcare 3 17 2
F/601/4056 23 Support use of medication in social care settings 3 40 5
