Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care Children and Young People’s Services

Awarding Body: Focus Awards
Qualification Level: RQF Level 5
Total Credits: 65–90 Credits (pathway dependent)
Study Mode: Online / Blended / Workplace-Based
Duration: 9–15 Months
Assessment Method: Portfolio of Evidence, Reflective Accounts, Professional Discussions, Observations
Regulated By: Ofqual (UK)

Course Overview

The Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care (Children and Young People) is a professional management qualification designed for individuals who lead, supervise, or aspire to manage services supporting children, young people, and families in residential care, supported living, education-linked services, fostering, and community settings.

This course develops strategic leadership, safeguarding expertise, regulatory compliance, team management, and service quality improvement skills, preparing learners for senior roles such as:

• Registered Manager (Children’s Services)
• Children’s Home Manager
• Service Manager
• Care Manager
• Team Leader / Senior Practitioner
• Responsible Individual (RI – pathway dependent)

Who This Course Is For

This qualification is ideal for:

• Senior Care Workers & Team Leaders
• Deputy Managers
• Aspiring Registered Managers
• Youth Support Leaders
• Children’s Residential Workers
• Social Care Supervisors
• Foster Care Supervisors
• SEN / SEMH Service Leaders
• Supported Living Managers (Children & Young People)

Entry Requirements

• Aged 19 years or above
• Currently working or volunteering in a children’s health, education, or social care setting
• Preferably hold a Level 3 qualification in Health & Social Care (or equivalent experience)
• Access to a workplace supervisor or manager for observations
• Good level of written and spoken English

What You Will Gain

✅ Leadership & management expertise
✅ Regulatory and safeguarding mastery
✅ Confidence in inspection readiness
✅ Team supervision and performance management skills
✅ Service quality improvement techniques
✅ Eligibility for senior leadership roles
✅ International career relevance
✅ Ofqual-regulated Level 5 qualification

Course Structure & Units

Mandatory Core Units

1. Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care (Children & Young People)

• Leadership vs management in children’s services
• Emotional intelligence and adaptive leadership
• Leading multidisciplinary teams
• Ethical leadership and professional accountability
• Decision-making frameworks
• Managing change in children’s services

2. Managing Safeguarding and Child Protection

• Safeguarding legislation and statutory duties
• Early help, thresholds, and referrals
• Risk indicators and protection planning
• Whistleblowing and allegations management
• Multi-agency safeguarding hubs (MASH)
• Serious case reviews and learning lessons

3. Promoting the Rights, Diversity and Wellbeing of Children and Young People

• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Equality, diversity, and inclusion
• Supporting looked-after children
• Mental health and emotional resilience
• Trauma-informed care
• Cultural competence in children’s services

4. Managing Health, Safety and Risk in Children’s Services

• Health and safety legislation
• Risk assessments and risk management
• Incident reporting and investigations
• Fire safety and emergency planning
• Infection control
• Safe environments for children

5. Professional Supervision and Staff Development

• Supervision models and coaching
• Managing staff performance
• Training needs analysis
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures
• Staff wellbeing and resilience
• Retention strategies

6. Partnership Working in Children and Young People’s Services

• Multi-agency collaboration
• Working with schools, health services, and local authorities
• Family-centred practice
• Information sharing protocols
• Escalation pathways

7. Managing Quality and Continuous Improvement

• Quality assurance frameworks
• Ofsted inspection preparation
• Audits and service reviews
• Learning from incidents
• Outcomes-based practice
• Service development planning

8. Managing Resources in Children’s Services

• Staffing and rota management
• Budget awareness
• Procurement and financial controls
• Managing placements and occupancy
• Sustainability planning

Optional Pathway Units (Learner Selects)

• Residential Childcare Management
• Supporting Children with SEMH & SEND
• Early Years Leadership
• Secure & Youth Justice Settings
• Fostering Services Leadership
• Supported Accommodation (16–17 Year Olds)
• Family Assessment Centres

Assessment Methods

Learners are assessed through:

• ✅ Work-based portfolio of evidence
• ✅ Reflective practice journals
• ✅ Case studies
• ✅ Professional discussions
• ✅ Direct workplace observation
• ✅ Manager witness testimonies

No formal exams. 100% coursework-based.

Career Progression Opportunities

Upon successful completion, learners can progress into:

• Registered Manager (Children’s Residential)
• Responsible Individual (RI – with experience)
• Service Director
• Children’s Home Owner / Provider
• Local Authority Commissioning
• Ofsted Compliance Consultant

It also supports progression to:

• Level 6 Leadership & Management
• Social Work Degree (subject to entry requirements)
• Education Leadership Qualifications

Regulatory & Inspection Alignment

This qualification aligns with:

• ✅ Ofsted Children’s Homes Regulations
• ✅ Children Act 1989 & 2004
• ✅ Working Together to Safeguard Children
• ✅ SEND Code of Practice
• ✅ UNCRC Children’s Rights Framework
• ✅ Local Authority Quality Standards

Delivery Format

• Fully Online Study Platform
• Tutor Support & Coaching
• Monthly Progress Reviews
• Workplace Evidence Upload
• Live Webinars & Masterclasses
• Inspection Readiness Workshops

Certification

Upon successful completion, learners receive:

🎓 Level 5 Diploma in Leadership for Health and Social Care Children & Young People’s Services - England
Issued by Focus Awards
Regulated by Ofqual

This qualification is recognized across England, Wales & internationally.

Ideal For International Learners

• UK Care Management Pathways
• Overseas Social Care Leaders
• International Residential Care Managers
• UK Compliance Training for Global Care Providers

Optional Add-On Packages

• ✅ Registered Manager Preparation
• ✅ Ofsted Interview Coaching
• ✅ Business Start-Up for Children’s Homes
• ✅ Policy & Compliance Toolkit
• ✅ Safeguarding Level 3 Certificate
• ✅ Advanced Risk Assessment Training