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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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.

Han 22/09/2015 at 1:15 pm

Hi what qualifications do I need to start a career in working with young people. what would I need to study etc I am 27 with only experience with my three children (5,3 and 3 months) thank you

WorkingWithKids Editor 03/09/2015 at 11:26 am

There are a few options such as becoming a special educational needs teacher, or a special needs teaching assistant, whichor the likes of a residential support worker, I hope this helps and good luck.

Kate 02/09/2015 at 4:44 pm

I am an early years worker looking to further my studies and get more qualifications. I would love to do a course on play development and language and learn more about special needs and working with children with special needs

WorkingWithKids Editor 25/08/2015 at 1:43 pm

I have included a link to the Out of School Alliance, which highlights some of the other issues that you will need to consider here. I hope this helps.

Nick 24/08/2015 at 7:45 pm

Hi,

I am the manager of a sports centre and I am looking at putting on children's sports and crafts activity days during school holidays. One of my employees has a BA degree in Primary Education, would this qualify her to run these sessions? She has a DBS and first aid qualification also.

I'd very much appreciate your assistance on this matter.

Thank you for your time.

Healthy regards,

Nick

wendiwobble 04/07/2015 at 8:39 am

I hope to run an artclub in school holidays. Please what do I need ?
I need policies in place for working with children is there a checklist? Thanks

WorkingWithKids Editor 17/04/2015 at 11:22 am

@uyai - it doesn't sound like you are from the UK and as we are a UK-based site we can only give UK-based information regarding what you need. You may want to do an online search, I'm sure it will throw up some very interesting ideas and advice.

uyai 16/04/2015 at 11:02 pm

Am a graduate of g&c n I ave being children teacher for 7yrs in the church, I have that love for children and I want to start a creche and daycare center,pls I need advice on how to make it in a modern way

Gilly Editor 25/02/2015 at 2:22 pm

@Arty Girl - I'm not sure you need any qualifications as such, just a fair amount of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm. When you approach the school/church they will tell you what DBS check they will require and will ask what experience you have.

Arty Girl 23/02/2015 at 6:22 pm

Hi, I am a stay at home mum and want to run an art club at my daughters school or run a 3 hour painting workshop at our church for children aged 5-10 over the Easter holidays. What sort of qualifications do i need. As far as i can see the school would need to do a Disclosure Check and i can do a basic disclosure check on line. Does anyone know if i need anything else? Thanks in advance.

Jack 15/12/2014 at 5:52 pm

Hi, im 16 going on seventeen I am at college I would really like to do football funday in the summer holidays to get kids of the streets and doing something that will benefit them. What would I need to be able to look after the kids what would I need to do.

nikki 15/08/2014 at 10:57 am

Can you start working while waiting for your disclosure to come

Gypsysoul 20/07/2014 at 5:31 am

Hey. My name is Kayli. I'm fixing to turn 21. I really want to go into a field with children. Preferably working with cancer children. Does anybody know the qualifications for that? Or what programs I would need to go into in order to do that? I don't want to be the doctor but I do want to be able to go in with them like a nurse. Should I start out volunteering and go from there? Anything you can come up with would be greatly appreciated! Thank you. (:

froggy 13/06/2014 at 4:26 am

i have been working in a residential childrens home, for 18 years ,doing the same job .I am now told that i have to have the NVQ level 3 to be able to work there as it is the law now .i want to know is this true or have i been misinformed.i am in my 60s now and dont feel i need this qualification but would i be breaking the law not to have it .

sc 22/05/2014 at 7:01 pm

I was studying BEd Hons degree in Primary Teaching however recently decided this was not the career path I wanted to follow. I am now studying part time to complete my Ordinary degree in Education as I was in my 3rd year of the BEd course. I would like a job working with children either in groups or individuals but can't decide which would be best and what courses would be available. I have been considering play therapy, speech and language, working with children who require additional support. Any advice would be appreciated.

angela 18/04/2013 at 7:47 pm

My daughter wants to work with special needs children but she cant get any information on courses she needs to do . Can you give us any help finding this.

nad21 09/03/2013 at 1:15 pm

My daughter is 14 and she wishes to have a career in childcare. I was wondering what subjects and qualifcations would help her to do this?

shan 01/03/2013 at 9:59 pm

if i want to start a childrens club where, children get to put out their talents what type of qualifications should have?

sporty 123 30/08/2012 at 5:23 pm

hi,

i want to start up my own buisness that constists of working with children having an holiday club that specialises in athletics/ multi activities and wanted to know what qulaifications i will need to do this ?????

pleaseee helppppp

sarah95 27/08/2012 at 4:46 pm

heyy,
I am currently at sixth form, i am going into my second year in september. I am studyinh health and social, business and english lit. when i have left sixth form i wish to enter a job working with children in care homes. I want a challenging job where i will be able to help others and fell rewarded by helping them. however i am unsure of what route to take next year once i have finished sixth form. please could you offer me some advise on how to become fully qualified so i can work with children in care homes.
Many thanks :)

Kelly 31/07/2012 at 7:54 pm

Hi, Im a qualified general nurse and currently work in an elderly nursing home. I would like to change direction and work with children. I would like to own a childrens home in the future. Can anybody suggest what qualifications I would need to gain?

Annie 17/07/2012 at 10:35 pm

Hi, I am an Indian and I m searching for a job in UK.I want to work as a nursery assistant or somethign related with the nursery.i hold a teacher training certificate from India.Plz advice so that I can apply for a job.Thanks,Annie.

Donna 24/06/2012 at 3:02 pm

I would like to know how i could get into a job opertunity of working with children in homes. As a single parent i cant go to night college or university, please help? What qualifications needed?

nick 17/05/2011 at 6:15 pm

How can I get a job working with children.

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