What Kind of Qualifications Are Needed?

Author: Rachel Newcombe

Miss Melanie Hadley asks

I am currently studying at Birmingham City University, working towards a degree in Textile Design. When I've completed my degree I would like to have a career working with children within a children's home or foster care. I was just wondering how I would go about this? What qualifications would I need and how do I start the process?

For anyone working with children, there are a range of qualifications that can be gained, to help support your work and improve your experience. In your case, it sounds like one of the best options would be the CACHE NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care (Children and Young People).

This qualification is designed for anyone who’s working in a setting with children or young people, such as a children’s centre or foster care home. The qualification consists of four essential units that have to be studied and four options where you have a choice of what to study, according to what’s most relevant to your job role. In order to get the full award, you have to complete all eight units.

One of the benefits of studying for the NVQ is that you can do it on the job. If you don’t yet have your ideal job, then another option is to voluntary work to gain the relevant experience and study alongside it. In your case, as your degree is in a different subject to social care, this may work out as the most appropriate route for you to follow, if you’re not able to initially find a job in a children’s home or within foster care.

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There are no formal entry requirements to study for the NVQ, but you do need to have GCSE grade C’s or above in literacy and numeracy subjects. It can be studied at your own pace and an approved assessor will make visits to your workplace in order to assess you.

Once you have gained this qualification, then there are other options which you can also go on to take, depending on the exact nature of your work and if you want to gain more professional qualifications. For example, a relevant future option may be the CACHE Level 3 Certificate of Professional Development in Work with Children and Young People.

To find out more about careers in childcare the different types of qualifications available for people working with children, have a look at the CACHE website cache.org.uk.

It can be very rewarding to work with children, despite being hard work at times, so good luck with your plans and your career.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

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Showing 20 of 44 questions

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sandy 20/09/2018 at 12:52 pm

looking for advice and directions, I would like to in some way work with disadvantage children , although I have no qualifications I would like to study but again unsure what qualifications needed and is online or collage best if so what is available in or around Glasgow area , I would need possibly like a starting point as I shall be a very mature student ,with kind regards for all input and suggestions.

Vp 19/06/2018 at 9:13 pm

Hi I'm 33 years old I'm looking for any courses online in childcare or nursery nurse i had a look online but they are so many as I don't know really the one i can do I'm not sure if cpc certificate it's valid on uk it's so confusing . As I'm really interesting in work with kids always want to as I really enjoy work with little one bu at the moment I don't have time to go college as I work and have 2 young children my self would like to know the better option online courses please

Chloe123 25/04/2018 at 11:12 pm

Could you tell me if I need any further qualifications if I have already done my level 3 Health and Social Care for working with children? I have recently been interviewed in a child care setting and the interviewer wasn’t too sure if I had to do anymore nvq on the subjects of children because there was only one part of the Health and Social Care sector where I had done about children

Laz 16/02/2018 at 1:08 pm

I would like to ask for advice to take regarding getting some qualifications in care work.
I am a male 29 years old and I do two part time jobs. Work in the morning as a meal supervisor in a nursery and in the afternoon as an after school worker with young children.
I have been doing this job for 3 yearsR and I now want to move on to do more challenging work with older children .
What advice can you give me because I want to further my career but I can't because I have bills to pay. Thanks.

vuyo 18/05/2017 at 12:18 pm

Hello my name is vuyokazi am 22 years old i have 3kidz and now i have come up with an idea that i should open a crech becouse where i stay parents are working and crèches are far from ,in our area there's no creches so now i only have passed grade10 i dont if it may work but please need some advise ,,,,,,

Sal 26/04/2017 at 8:13 pm

Hi. I am looking to start my own business facilitating workshops for children helping them with coping mechanisms for life like dealing with social media. It is based on a programme currently being run in South Africa. What qualifications would I need in order to do this?

Ellie 17/04/2017 at 10:42 pm

Hi there i need some help on something, i have N.V.Q level 2 in care with
The elderly and i would like to know if my certificate would pass through
Child care or working in nursery or do i need to gain qualifications for child
Care please help thanks.

Manel 23/09/2016 at 1:15 pm

Hi,

I have a BSC in health, sports, and exercise and a diploma in emotional coaching.
My passion is helping people and I would like to coach kids and parents at the same time.
Parents sometimes are unaware that their behaviour towards kids can affect their self-esteem and their happiness later in life.
I would like to start to do workshops with parents and kids but I need some qualification to learn the basics towards that.
Any advice would be helpful.

Warm Regards

Manel

nina 11/07/2016 at 8:08 am

Hi my name is Katie,
I have lots of different experiences and also I have done so many courses at college which is I have done all my entry levels 1,2 and 3 in English and I have done my entry level and 2 in Maths and I am starting my new course in September which is doing level 1 in English and entry level 3 In Maths but I would like to work with children because I have 4 sisters and 3 brothers but they don't live me with me but I do have 1 sister that lives with me and also I do have a mild learning difficulties .
I am 25 years old and i would like some help to be a foster assistant if that's possible so could any one help me please thanks
regards Katie

WorkingWithKids Editor 28/04/2016 at 12:49 pm

It depends on which route you wish to take. For instance you may be able to volunteer to work in a children's home and not need any qualifications. However, if you wanted to take a professional route, then you are looking at jobs such as a residential support worker, , or even a family support worker here. I hope these help answer your question.

Rachel.H 27/04/2016 at 5:57 pm

Hello, My name is Rachel, im 21, i really want to work in a children's home but not a clue on were to start or how to go about this,

Example......

Do i need qualifications of any kind?
If not can i work in a home with no qualifications behind me and earn my qualifications that way?
Do i need to go to college first and get loads of qualifications that way?
Is there an age limit to work in a children's home? like you have to be over a certain age like 18+, 21+, 25+ etc....

I have had tonnes of experience around children of a variety of ages, both family and friends & professional too.

Sorry for the long post, any help on getting to where i need to go or what to do will be great, thank you.

Rachel.

Forzi 24/03/2016 at 10:01 pm

Hi, I'm considering of working with children in a children's care home.However, I would like to know what specific qualifications are needed? And how long would it take to obtain that qualification (s)?

WorkingWithKids Editor 09/03/2016 at 12:52 pm

If you are keen to help children and want to work in a school, a teaching assistant job could be an ideal job for you, However, you could also become a teacher, and specialise in teaching children with special needs. On the other hand, you could also become a therapist, support worker, art or music therapist. As there are so many avenues to explore, I suggest you speak with your careers adviser who may be able to help point you in the right direction according to your interests and abilities.

Emma ?? 08/03/2016 at 1:54 pm

Hi i am a year 10 student heading into making choices for my Gccses and i was wondering what subjects you would have to take on in order to go down the line of working with special needs children. I would appericate it if someone was to reply to this comment because i really could do with the help.

WorkingWithKids Editor 12/02/2016 at 11:06 am

You can see what qualifications are needed for jobs such as a Residential Suppor Worker, whichI hope this helps.

Sam 11/02/2016 at 2:11 pm

Hi could you let me know what qualification is needed for staff working in Children Residential Care Settings..I know before they use to do the Diploma Level 3 in CYPW Social Care Pathway.

Thank you

FT 25/01/2016 at 2:35 pm

Hi there, I'm considering going into childrens soccer parties. Can you tell me if I need any badges/qualifications to be able to run this.
Also do I need to have insurance under the company name
Thank you

Ellie 14/01/2016 at 9:59 pm

Hello, i am currently attending a secondary school& in year 9. Im really eager to work with young people when i finish all the educational bits. However i am unsure of what options to take to study for my GCSEs. I would be delighted to know all the subjects that will help, thank you.

marc 10/01/2016 at 7:58 pm

Hello, I'm a Translation and Interpreting student in my final year and I would love to hear some advice from you regarding a project I have in mind. I am thinking about organising art and crafts workshops for children Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and I wanted to know if I would need an specific qualifications to run it. I have worked as a teaching assistant in a secondary school and I have a recent DBS check but I don't know if I need official qualification to work around children? Thank you in advance for reading me! Looking forward to hearing from you soon :)

Wendy 23/09/2015 at 12:02 pm

@Han - you've got the best hands-on skills having three kids for a start, but it depends on what area you wish to go into? If you want to be a social worker, then you'd need a social work degree or specialist post-graduate degree in the subject. If you wanted to be a nursery nurse then you only need a level 2 cert or a diploma, some nurseries will accept just GSCEs. If you want to become a teaching assistant, then you could train through an apprenticeship, or begin by volunteering and get your foot in the door that way. You really need to find out what area you'd like specialise in first.

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