Children and Young People & Families Practitioner (Standards)
Children and Young People & Families Practitioner Level 4
Description
As a practitioner you will be working with children, young people and families, including carers, to achieve positive and sustainable change in their lives. You will demonstrate a passion to care for and about children, young people and families. You will be skilled in recognising and assessing the complex needs that children, young people and families often present
This qualification will develop the knowledge and skills needed when working with children and young people in a residential childcare setting, including an understanding of child and young person development.
Learners will need to be working in the role of Deputy or Manager in an appropriate setting, or have the opportunity to carry out responsibilities associated with these roles, to be
able to study for the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (England).
This qualification will develop the knowledge and skills needed when working with children and young people in a residential childcare setting, including an understanding of child and young person development.
Entry conditions
There are no formal entry conditions.
Potential apprentices should however be willing to undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service formerly known as CRB – Criminal Records Bureau) check.
Employers in social care and in the health sector carry out DBS checks, as this is a requirement for those working in the sectors, and certain offences may disqualify potential apprentices from employment in these sectors and thus automatically preclude them from completing the framework.
Potential apprentices should therefore discuss any relevant matters with their employer prior to enrolment.
Whilst there are no formal criteria, people who successfully complete apprenticeships and continue to work in the sector most often exhibit empathy, care and interest in others and want to work in the health or social care sector. Whilst it is practical to upskill staff, successful apprentices tend to come with the values and attitudes compatible with the roles they will be working in.
The values and behaviours expected of a Children, Young People and Family Worker
Care: Respecting and valuing individuals to keep them safe, being affirming and working with them to help them make a positive difference to their lives
Compassion: Consideration and concern for children, young people and their families, combined with an understanding of the perspective of those you work with
Courage: Honesty and a positive belief in helping children, young people and families. Being confident when faced with confrontation, holding a safe space to manage and contain really difficult behaviours and working with children, young people and families to challenge and enable them to fulfil their potential Communication: Your work is based on building effective relationships, being perceptive and empathetic and building good rapport
Competence: The relationships you build to effect change for children, young people and families will be informed by social care ethics and values and will be developed through reflective practice.
Commitment: Creating sustainable change in others by working alongside children, young people and families and being authentic, consistent, patient, persistent and resilient
Progression
Learners can progress on to the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare(England), or a Foundation Degree in a related discipline.
Learners can also progress to become:
- Residential childcare workers;
- Registered residential childcare managers, deputies and assistant managers (further professional development / qualification may be required once in post)
- Managers, deputy and assistant managers in other adult or children and young people’s social care settings (further professional development/ qualification may be required once in post).
