Childrens Services (Social Care/Pastoral Care) - Level 3

Summary

This qualification (NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce (Social Care) will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the knowledge and skills needed when working with children and young people from birth up to 19 years.

It covers a diverse range of job roles and occupational areas - including those in social care settings and offers a wealth of career opportunities; this can include working in youth groups, after school groups, groups with vulnerable children, pastoral roles in schools or family support workers. This qualification will not only support employment opportunities, but also the possibility of progressing on to the Family Support and Wellbeing Foundation Degree or the Youth Studies Foundation Degree.

You will need to be working, volunteering or on a practical placement in a childcare setting as an important part of the assessment process involves evaluating skills in real working situations. You will be assigned a subject specialist course tutor who will deliver the live scheduled sessions.

The tutor will also be available for weekly support and to guide you from the beginning to the completion of your qualification. You will also be assigned a college assessor, to assist in completion of the observations and discussions that take place within your placement setting.

Next course dates

Start date	Location	Duration
30 Sep 2025	Bispham Campus	1 Year	Apply now

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This qualification can support progression into many varied roles working with children and young people from birth up to 19 years.

This can include working in youth groups, after school groups, groups with vulnerable children, pastoral roles in schools or family support workers. The specialist knowledge it provides will enhance individuals’ employment opportunities as well as support progression to related further study.

There may be opportunities to progress on to Foundation degrees such as Family Support and Wellbeing or Youth Studies.

Key information

Entry Requirements

You must be over 19 on the 31 August before the course start date.

You will need a placement in a non-school setting, working with children aged 5-19 years or with families to be arranged before enrolling and to continue for the duration of your course. This should be for a minimum of 4 hours a week.

You must have also completed either a childcare related Level 2 qualification or have a minimum of 6 months experience working or volunteering in a childcare environment.

Qualification obtained

Diploma for the Children and Young People's Workforce (England)

Fees and funding

Read our tuition fees guide.

Extra costs and equipment

As this course is delivered online, regular access to IT is essential in order to attend the sessions and to complete the assessment tasks/electronic workbooks.

All other equipment/resources you require for this course are provided by B&FC at no extra cost.

You may need to consider any costs that you would incur to attend placement. Some support with travel and childcare costs may be available.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: NCFE

Regulatory Body: Ofsted

Terms and conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

What will I learn?

Industry placement, field trips and guest speakers

As you need to show competence in both skills and knowledge, you will need to be working or be on a practical placement during the taught programme of study in a non-school setting, working with children aged 5-19 years or with families.

This must be arranged by you prior to the course starting and then must continue for the duration of the course for a minimum of 4 hours a week.

How will I learn?

This course will be delivered remotely with live lectures and support sessions schedule for a total of 5 hours a week for 35 weeks (term time only) from the course start date. Within these sessions there will be tutor delivery, question and answer, discussion, group work tasks and individual tasks.

It is expected that you will complete a minimum of 3 hours independent study, each week, outside of the class to complete the assessment tasks which take the form of electronic workbooks.

You will also have the opportunity to attend 6 additional seminars throughout the year. One of these will be with your assessor and will support you with your longitudinal study and assessments with the others providing opportunity for extended study and degree preparation.

Expert tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of adult education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

How will I be assessed?

You will study the following mandatory units:

Promoting Communication in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings (3 credits)
Engaging in Personal Development in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings (3 credits)
Promoting Equality and Inclusion in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings (2 credits)
Principles for Implementing Duty of Care in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings (1 credit)
Understanding Child and Young Person Development (4 credits)
Promoting Child and Young Person Development (3 credits)
Understanding How to Safeguard the Wellbeing of Children and Young People (3 credits)
Support Children and Young People’s Health and Safety (2 credits)
Developing Positive Relationships with Children, Young People and Others Involved in their Care (1 credit)
Working Together for the Benefit of Children and Young People (2 credits)
Understanding How to Support Positive Outcomes for Children and Young People (3 credits)

The following optional units will also all be covered:

Assessment and Planning with Children and Young People (5 credits)
Promoting the Wellbeing and Resilience of Children and Young People (4 credits)
Professional Practice in Children and Young People's Social Care (4 credits)
Supporting Children and Young People to Achieve their Learning Potential (3 credits)
Supporting Children and Young People to Have Positive Relationships (3 credits)
Understanding the Needs of Children and Young People who are Vulnerable and Experiencing Poverty and Disadvantage (5 credits)
Supporting Speech, Language and Communication Development (3 credits)
Promoting Positive Behaviour (6 credits)
Working with Parents to Meet their Children's Needs (3 credits)
Enabling Parents to Develop Ways of Handling Relationships and Behaviour that Contribute to Everyday Life with Children (3 credits)

All units will be internally assessed using a range of methods including written assignments or tasks such as designing a leaflet or poster, charts, using case studies or writing reports.

You will be given assignments throughout the duration of the course that are expected to be completed and uploaded to an electronic portfolio. An assessor will assess your practical skills and competence through a combination of observation of your practice, professional discussions and guided reflection.