QCF Diploma or Personality…. Which should come first? One of the biggest challenges recruiters face working in the children’s residential care sector is finding candidates with a QCF Diploma in Children & Young People. Ofsted have put a huge emphasis on employers ensuring staff are qualified at this level. Although Ofsted regulation allow for staff to be recruited and then complete the qualification within 2 years, a large proportion of employers insist on new recruits already having the qualification. Often, they are concerned they will be downgraded at inspection for not having enough staff qualified to this level. So, what’s so special about this qualification? With a QCF Diploma, professionals gain in-depth knowledge on safeguarding, child development, and effective communication – all essential skills for creating a safe and nurturing environment. It equips you with the tools to handle complex situations, advocate for the children’s best interests, and provide emotional stability. But what the Diploma can’t teach are natural components of someone’s personality, essential to support young people in a residential setting. Traits such as Empath, Resilience, Compassion, Emotional Intelligence and natural curiosity. I have spoken to and unfortunately had to reject many individuals who have all of the personality traits and previous experience, but don’t have the QCF Diploma. Conversely, I have also spoken to a happily rejected some candidates who have none of the personality traits but have the experience and QCF Diploma. There are an increasing number of employers favouring the QCF qualification over personality traits when recruiting, as they feel they are complying with regulations. There in nothing in Ofsted regulations stipulating the proportion of staff who need to be QCF qualified. There is, however, a requirement that staff need to have the necessary skills, experience and training to meet the needs of the child. This requirement specifically relates to either a child already in place or the level of need an organisation can support as prescribed in their Statement of Purpose. Depending on the level of current or proposed need to be supported, in my experience, this skillset is evidenced by previous experience and personality traits. Whilst the QCF Diploma is absolutely essential longer term, is it really a requirement at recruitment stage? I would be interested to hear what other recruiters and providers think about this!!
