Funded Courses:
Residential Childcare Diploma Level 3

> Funding: £3,100

> Duration: 18 Months

Course Overview

The Residential Childcare Level 3 Diploma is designed for individuals working in children’s residential care settings who are developing the skills required to support vulnerable children and young people. The course provides a comprehensive programme aligned to residential childcare standards and statutory requirements.

Learners develop in-depth knowledge of safeguarding, child development, behaviour support, and residential care practice. The programme emphasises professional judgement, reflective practice, and effective communication within multidisciplinary teams. Delivered through a blended model, learners benefit from personalised one-to-one support, practical workplace assessment, and collaborative peer learning.

This course prepares learners to operate confidently as qualified residential childcare practitioners and to progress into senior or specialist roles.

Eligibility Criteria

  • UK/EU Citizen for 3+ years
  • Work 16+ hours per week on average
  • Employed on a PAYE Scheme
  • Not on any other government-funded course
Ai Savvy Funded Courses - Skills Funding Group
Ai Savvy Funded Courses - Skills Funding Group

Employer Benefits: After Course Completion

Employers benefit from qualified residential childcare practitioners who support safe, consistent, and high-quality care for children and young people.

Employers benefit from staff who:

  • Understand safeguarding, residential care standards, and child-centred practice.
  • Respond appropriately to challenging behaviour in residential settings.
  • Maintain accurate records and documentation.
  • Support children’s emotional, social, and physical wellbeing.
  • Ensure safe, effective, and responsive care delivery.


The apprenticeship provides:

  • Provide a structured and recognised route to developing competent residential childcare staff.
  • Embed best practice aligned to regulatory and inspection requirements.
  • Ensure learning is applied consistently in the workplace.
  • Support workforce capability and compliance within residential settings.


Employers typically see:

  • Improve staff confidence in residential childcare practice.
  • Strengthen safeguarding and child-centred care delivery.
  • Ensure consistency in care and support positive outcomes for children.
  • Support inspection readiness and compliance.
  • Enhance staff retention and workforce stability through clear development pathways.


The programme supports:

  • Support regulatory compliance within residential childcare settings.
  • Promote workforce development through structured training and skill-building.
  • Ensure high-quality residential childcare provision is consistently delivered.
Ai Savvy Funded Courses - Skills Funding Group

Who is This Course For

This course is designed for individuals working with children and young people in residential childcare settings.

All learning aligns to the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations, Quality Standards, and safeguarding legislation.

This course is ideal for:

  • Residential support workers and care practitioners working in children’s homes.
  • Staff who already support children and young people and wish to formalise their role.
  • Individuals aiming to improve their practice and professional skills.
  • Staff seeking career progression within residential childcare through a recognised Level 3 qualification.

Typical Job Roles Include:

  • Residential Support Worker
  • Residential Childcare Worker
  • Care Practitioner
  • Key Worker
  • Senior Support Worker (with experience)

This course is suitable for employers operating in:

  • Children’s residential homes
  • Secure children’s homes
  • Residential special schools
  • Independent children’s care providers
  • Local authority residential services

Preparation and Support

Throughout the programme, learners are supported to:

  • Build evidence of competence
  • Prepare for assessment requirements
  • Understand what to expect at EPA

This ensures apprentices approach the End Point Assessment with confidence and clarity.

Candidate Enrolment Form

Funding at a Glance

Many of our apprentices go on to secure permanent roles, promotions and long-term career progression within their organisations.

Funding Stream

  1. Apprenticeships (see the detail on funding
  2. Adult Education Budget (AEB)
  3. Mayoral Combined Authority (MCA)
  4. Advanced Learner Loans
  5. Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
  6. Learning & Development Support Scheme (LDSS)

Who It is For

  1. New or existing employees (in England)
  2. Adults 19+ meeting eligibility criteria
  3. Learners in devolved regions (within the UK)
  4. Individuals 19+ studying Level 3–6
  5. Learners requiring additional support (contact us for more information)
  6. Health and Adult Social Care Workforce

Who Pays

  1. Government via DAS (levy or co-investment)
  2. Government (National or devolved AEB)
  3. Regional government allocation
  4. Government-backed loan (repayable)
  5. Government support funding
  6. NHS funding contribution (national or devolved AEB)

Best Used For

  1. Structured role-based development aligned to occupational standards
  2. Entry-level qualifications, sector skills, career progression
  3. Skills aligned to local labour market priorities
  4. Professional qualifications where grant funding not available
  5. Removing barriers to participation and achievement
  6. Regulated roles and sector-specific qualifications

Employer Contribution

  1. Levy funds or typically 5% co-investment (if non-levy). This if  fully funded for under 22 year olds
  2. Often fully funded (subject to eligibility)
  3. Often fully or partially funded
  4. No employer cost (loan repaid by learner when eligible)
  5. No additional employer cost
  6. Reduces employer training costs (contact us for more detailed information)

Cost-Effective Recruitment

A Cost-Effective Way to Recruit and Develop Talent

Apprenticeships are one of the most financially supported recruitment routes available to UK employers.

£1,000 Government Incentive

Receive a £1,000 incentive when you recruit an apprentice aged 16–18, or 19–24 with an EHCP or care leaver status.

NI Contribution Exemption

Employers are exempt from paying National Insurance Contributions for apprentices under 25, provided they earn under the Upper Secondary Threshold.

95–100% Funded Training

Training costs are typically 95–100% government funded for non-levy paying employers — making apprenticeships significantly more cost-effective than traditional recruitment.

Proven Retention & Growth

Apprenticeships improve retention, engagement and progression. You build capability tailored to your business from day one.

How We Work

Ready to Recruit an Apprentice?

Submit your vacancy details and our team takes care of the rest. We make the process simple, compliant and commercially focused.

01

Review

We review your role for apprenticeship alignment and suitability.

02

Refine

Support you in refining the job description if needed to attract the right candidates.

03

Advertise

We advertise and promote your vacancy across our candidate network.

04

Screen

We screen and shortlist candidates based on your requirements.

05

Onboard

We guide you through the onboarding and funding process end-to-end.

What Makes Our Programmes Different?

We don’t take you out of your role — we develop you within it.

Our programmes are designed for people already in work, helping you build the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to perform at a higher level. Everything you learn is applied directly to your day-to-day responsibilities, so the impact is immediate, practical and measurable.

From enrolment through to completion, we support both you and your employer to ensure the training delivers real value.

Need more information or to discuss a way forward?

If you are not sure on what course may suit you, funding or how it all works, then get in touch and we can help and support and help you on your journey.