Residential Care Matters (RCM)
RCM is a training programme for support workers in children’s homes
It goes without saying how hard so many residential care staff work, looking after some of the most vulnerable people in our society, encountering daily challenges that little or no training could ever fully equip them for. The personal and emotional cost can sometimes be very high.
Many incidents in children’s homes stem from inconsistent boundaries and differing approaches. By developing a shared ethos and consistent practice, staff help children and young people understand expectations, creating greater security, stability, and more positive relationships.
The RCM Programme provides a practical framework for managers and staff to build consistency across everyday practice, reducing flashpoints while improving outcomes for children and strengthening team confidence and morale.
The programme promotes teamwork and reflective practice, valuing every team member’s contribution regardless of role or experience. Flexible modules can be delivered in-house by supervisors, managers, or experienced support workers without prior training experience.
Each topic is delivered in a concise 2.5-hour session, giving teams the opportunity to debrief, share learning, and reflect on practice with minimal preparation.
Each RCM module promotes best practice and reinforces key messages that can become diluted or misinterpreted over time in the fast-paced environment of a children’s home. The programme provides a clear foundation to support a consistent culture, ethos, and approach.
RCM is ideal for staff induction and as a refresher tool for experienced teams, creating opportunities for reflective discussion and allowing staff to explore topics that reflect the current needs of their home.
The programme has been mapped against the NMS for Children’s Homes for compliance, but is not a replacement for a comprehensive training and development plan; rather, it provides a flexible, cost-effective way to address gaps in practice and strengthen consistency.
There are 7 courses and 20 modules included in the programme, covering the following themes:
Values
Value Base
Statement of Purpose
Planning
Arrivals & Departures
Placement Plans & Reviews
Home Environment
Daily Routine
State of the Home
Health & Emotional Wellbeing
Attachment
Building Positive Relationships
Healthy Lives
Positive Behaviour
Making Sense of Behaviour
Setting Limits, Sanctions & Rewards
Physical Intervention
Safeguarding & Protecting
Preventing Abuse (Thinking the Unthinkable)
Children who Runaway or go Missing
Preventing & Countering Bullying
Extremism & Radicalisation
Child Sexual Exploitation
Leadership
Roles & Responsibilities
Effective Supervision
Complaints & Representations
How do I get RCM?
The RCM Programme is available through three flexible delivery options:
- Self-delivery package: Purchase the complete programme and receive all resources needed to deliver the training in-house at your own pace.
- PRICE Trainer delivery: An experienced PRICE Trainer delivers the full programme face-to-face, providing expert guidance and practical support.
- Online delivery via Nisia: Access the programme digitally through our learning platform partner, Nisia.
The programme includes 7 courses comprising 20 modules (50 hours of learning), covering everyday practice topics that can be adapted to your service needs.
Delegates receive practical, jargon-free learning supported by over 280 pages of resources, including lesson guides, presentations, practice guides, certificates, and evaluation forms. Completion provides a certificate for each of the 7 courses.
