Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare

Overview

The NQual Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare is an Ofqual‑regulated qualification for training providers to deliver, required for anyone working as a Registered Manager, Deputy Manager, or person in a senior management position within a children’s home in England. It supports compliance with the Children’s Home (England) Regulations 2015, which mandates that leaders in residential childcare must hold this Level 5 Diploma.

This qualification is designed to equip managers with the advanced leadership and management skills needed in residential childcare and ensure practitioners understand and can implement the legislative, safeguarding and regulatory frameworks for children’s homes.

Learners must be working, volunteering, or on practical placement in real residential childcare settings and have access to managerial responsibilities to generate competence evidence.

The duration of this programme is typically delivered over 12-18 months depending on experience, delivery model and ability.

This qualification is awarded by NQual, an Ofqual‑regulated Awarding Organisation, and is available to approved centres..

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for The NQual Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare qualification are:

• Minimum age 19

There are no further entry requirements, however, learners should have or be working towards a minimum of level 2 in literacy and numeracy or equivalent.

Progression Opportunities

The progression opportunities for The NQual Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management for Residential Childcare qualification include:

• Level 6 Diploma in Health & Social Care Management

• Level 7 Strategic Management

Unit Guidance

Learners must achieve all 57 credits of mandatory units and a minimum of 8 credits of optional units. The total credit value for this qualification is 65.

Guided Learning Hours (GLH)

These hours are made up of contact time, guidance or supervision from course tutors, trainers, or training providers. The Guided Learning Hours for this qualification is 520.

Total Qualification Time (TQT)

This is an estimate of the total length of time it is expected that a learner will typically take to achieve and demonstrate the level of understanding required for the award of this qualification. This includes the Guided Learning Hours, and time spent completing the independent study.

The Total Qualification Time for this qualification is 650.

Delivery Options for Training Providers

NQual allows qualifications to be delivered both online and face-to-face. Please check the additional requirements with your Centre EQA if delivering qualifications online.