December 2014 update

Residential childcare

We’re in the process of developing 2 new residential childcare qualifications. They are:

Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England)

• 23 units (16 mandatory and 7 optional)
• Covers areas such as child development, safeguarding, communication, assessment and planning, professional development, leaving care and working with families
• Total credits 61
• Age 18+

Pearson BTEC Level 5 in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England)

• 23 units (15 mandatory and 8 optional)
• Covers areas such as leading, managing and implementing child development, safeguarding, multi-agency working, transition and complex disabilities
• Total credits 65
• Age 19+

These qualifications will be available from 1 January 2015. They will replace pathways in the current Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce (Social Care pathway) and the Level 5 Diploma for Health and Social Care and Children and Young People’s Services (Residential Childcare). Further information can be found on the Department for Education website. 

However, we have had confirmation from the DfE and SSC that we can extend the Level 3 Children and Young People’s Workforce qualification until 30 June 2015. This will run alongside Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare and both qualifications will be automatically funded.

Employers and providers will need to ensure that their learner is registered on the correct qualification for their job roles.

The new residential childcare qualifications will be added to the current SASE framework as an interim measure until the new Trailblazer Standards are available.

Early Years Educator resource

Our new Early Years Educator qualification was launched on 1 September 2014, replacing the Early and Childcare pathway in the Level 3 Children and Young People’s Workforce qualification.

We’ve developed a learner textbook covering all of the mandatory units along with selected optional units. Available in December 2014, it’s packed with useful features and case studies to encourage reflective practice and provides a real world focus.

Find out more and download a free sample chapter. 

Trailblazers

We’re currently engaging with Trailblazers in the Early Years sector. We will be engaging with the Residential Childcare Trailblazer in Phase 3 and are awaiting the outcome on this.

Early Years Educator

Early Years Educator is in Phase 2 of the Trailblazer. The Trailblazer Leadership Group is working with awarding organisations and training providers on the assessment and grading of the Apprenticeship standards. This Apprenticeship will be available in 2015 (date to be confirmed) and is likely to include the following:

• EYE qualification
• English and maths GCSE at grade A*-C
• Paediatric First Aid
• Food Safety
• IT for Early Years.

The following Apprenticeships have also been submitted to BIS for approval in Phase 3:

• Assistant Early Years Practitioner
• Early Years Centre Leader
• Senior Early Years Practitioner.