RCD5 – VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 5 Diploma In Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) (RQF)

Qualification summary

This qualification forms part of the children’s homes regulations which will came into force in April 2015, and is the recommended qualification for those working in children’s homes from January 2015.

It replaced the Skillsfirst Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services (Children and Young People’s Residential Management Pathway 1) as the required qualification for those working in children’s homes from April 2015

This qualification provides the skills and knowledge needed to manage practice and lead others in residential childcare settings for children and young people. The qualification enables the learner to gain essential skills and knowledge for leading in a residential childcare setting, including:

  • leading and managing a team
  • leading and managing group living
  • leading practice to support children and young people
  • implementing policies and procedures

It also offers the learner the opportunity to cover optional topics which are particularly suited to specific residential childcare and respite care settings.

VTCT (Skillsfirst) Level 5 Diploma In Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England) (RQF)  Handbook

 Qualification structure

To achieve this qualification, learners must achieve a minimum of 65 credits.

All 57 credits must be achieved from Group M. Learners must complete a minimum of 3 units in order to achieve the remaining 8 credits required from Group O.

Minimum Guided Learning Hours (GLH) are 498

Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 650

Qualification numberQualification reference
RCD5 601/4841/X 


Group M – mandatory units

RQF
unit no.
Skillsfirst
unit no.
Unit titleUnit LevelCredit Value
M/506/7650RCD23Understand children and young people’s development in residential childcare53
A/506/7652RCD24Understand support for children and young people who are vulnerable and disadvantaged42
L/506/7607RCD25Lead and manage a team within a residential childcare setting55
A/506/7585RCD26Lead practice for communication and information management in residential childcare settings54
J/506/7590RCD27Manage risk in residential childcare53
L/506/7591RCD28Lead and manage group living in residential childcare 54
F/506/7619RCD29Lead practice to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people in residential childcare55
T/506/7620RCD30Lead practice to support the well-being and resilience of children and young people in residential childcare53
T/506/7584RCD31Lead practice to promote the rights, diversity and equality of children and young people in residential childcare53
R/506/7608RCD32Lead networks and multi-agency work to benefit children and young people in residential childcare54
H/506/7791RCD33Undertake professional development in residential childcare settings42
M/506/8362RCD34Lead practice to support the safeguarding and protection of children and young people in residential childcare58
F/506/8365RCD35Lead a service that can support children or young people who have experienced harm or abuse53
R/506/8192RCD36Implement a Positive Relationship Policy in residential childcare56
L/506/8367RCD37Lead practice in safe use of digital, internet and mobile technology with children and young people42


Group O – optional units

RQF
unit no.
Skillsfirst
unit no.
Unit titleUnit LevelCredit Value
J/602/3499LHS29Undertake a research project within services for health and social care or children and young people510
H/506/7595RCD17Understand the care system and its impact on children and young people43
J/506/7606RCD18Understand the youth justice system as it relates to residential childcare43
Y/506/7609RCD38Lead a residential childcare service that can engage with the youth justice system55
A/506/7568RCD39Principles for leading the transition of young people with complex disabilities or conditions to adult services43
Y/506/8114RCD40Lead practice to support young people leaving care54
J/506/8318RCD41Understand the context of residential childcare for children and young people with complex disabilities or conditions43
R/506/8158RCD42Support others to understand models of disability and their effects on working practice with children and young people42

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