Working in a children's home is complex, few roles carry the emotional demands of supporting some of the country's most vulnerable children. When done well, the support provided by residential care workers can transform a child’s life.
Despite the significance of this role, the qualifications, training and professional development available can be outdated, inconsistent and insufficient. Many residential care workers report that the importance of what they do is not always recognised, and that they are not always given the training and tools necessary to do it well.
Until recently, the standard qualification for working in a children's home has been the Level 3 diploma in residential childcare, a qualification broadly equivalent to A-levels. Unfortunately, many residential care workers have expressed concern with its content, relevance and delivery. It is not always grounded in the realities of working in a children’s home and often fails to provide the breadth or depth needed for such a specialised role. Moreover, it is not widely recognised outside the sector, limiting career progression.
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