Step in to Children's Residential Childcare

This introductory course is ideal if you're considering a career in children’s residential childcare and want to build a strong foundation of knowledge and practical skills. It’s a non-regulated qualification designed to help you take your first step into the sector.

Over 6 weeks, you’ll attend sessions at Warrington campus while also completing valuable industry placement hours alongside your studies.

This course has been developed in partnership with a range of local residential childcare providers. Their input has helped shape the content, ensuring it reflects the real-world needs of the sector and prepares you for the workplace from day one.

You’ll explore the key areas of working in children’s residential settings, including:

• Communicating effectively and handling information appropriately
• Understanding types of abuse and supporting children and young people who have experienced harm
• Child and adolescent development, including neurodivergent conditions
• Promoting rights, equality, and diversity in residential care
• Working as part of a team to support children and young people
• Mental health first aid
• Paediatric first aid.

On completion, you’ll be well-placed to begin a career in residential childcare or progress to a level 3 qualification.

Potential job roles include:

• Residential Childcare Practitioner
• Senior Practitioner / Shift Leader / Team Leader
• Deputy Manager / Assistant Manager
• Registered Manager of a Children’s Home
• Specialist roles (e.g. working with children with disabilities, trauma, or in youth justice settings).

Further qualifications you can progress to include:

• Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (Apprenticeship). The core qualification required to work in children’s homes. Topics include safeguarding, child development, trauma-informed care, and behaviour support. This can be completed while working or volunteering in a residential setting.
• Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (Apprenticeship). Designed for those aiming for leadership roles. Covers supervision, strategic planning and team leadership. Often funded by employers and completed alongside work.

As part of the Health & Social Care Academy, you’ll benefit from strong local industry partnerships and connections with universities. These links offer valuable placement opportunities and can support your progression into further study or employment.

You’ll learn from experienced Health and Social Care lecturers who bring real-world insight into the classroom.

Teaching takes place in our Health & Social Care Academy, equipped with cutting-edge facilities including:

• A simulated hospital ward
• An independent living flat
• Moving and handling equipment
• Simulation dummies
• First aid training tools

These practical learning environments help you develop the hands-on skills needed to thrive in the sector.

You must be aged 19+ and have the right to work in the UK to enrol on this course. 

 This course is free of charge to those who meet the criteria. Please contact our Learner Services Team on 01925 494 400.