Adult Care Courses (Health and Social Qualifications)

Health and Safety in Care Settings

We also deliver a number of regulated health and safety courses which are designed to minimise risk of accidents, injury, or disease. Our range of health and safety at work qualifications are intended for workers, seniors, and management and designed to impart knowledge and good practice that can protect and promote the health and welfare of all people within the work place. Health and safety applies to any work environment and should be one of the core functions of any organisation. There are clear expectations for employers, employees, and visitors to sites. The courses are underpinned by a number of legislation and regulatory framework such as the umbrella Health and Safety at Work 1974, Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Human Rights Act 1998, Care Act 2014, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Reporting of Injuries, Disease and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR), Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER). Links to the Health and Safety Executive and their powers will be outlined throughout the courses.

Our Health and Social Care Courses

Our courses are delivered by an experienced team who are committed to getting you qualified as soon as possible. Courses which require demonstration of practice in the work place will require observations.

• Level 2
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  Level 2 Diploma in Care

  This Level 2 Diploma in Care has been specified by the two sector skills councils responsible for the health and adult care workforces, Skills for Health and Skills for Care, in consultation with employers, learning providers, and those who use services.

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• Level 3
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  Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care

  This Level 3 Diploma in Care has core shared knowledge and skills that support the vision of employers providing integrated services and the portability of skills and knowledge across the health and adult care workforce including lead adult care workers and personal assistants.

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• Level 5
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  Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care (RQF)

  The Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care is aimed at Registered Managers and more widely to all those who manage adult care services such as Assistant Managers, Deputy Managers, Unit Managers, or Service Managers.

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• Level 5
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  Level 5 Award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care (RQF)

  Designed for adult social care leaders and managers to build confidence and capability in leading the use of technology in care delivery, driving digitisation, and improving outcomes for people who draw on care and support. 12 credits, 60 GLH. Eligible for LDSS funding.

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Comparing the Four Health and Social Care Qualifications

Qualification	Price	Level	Credits	GLH	TQT	Duration
Diploma in Care	£600	Level 2	35 minimum	305	460 hours	3 to 6 months
Diploma in Adult Care	£800	Level 3	58 minimum	407	580 hours	3 to 6 months
Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care	£1,200	Level 5	90	662	900 hours	6 to 12 months
Award in Understanding Digital Leadership in Adult Social Care	£1,000	Level 5	12	60	120 hours	6 to 12 weeks

The Level 2 and Level 3 diplomas are frontline care qualifications, both specified by Skills for Care, with Level 3 building on Level 2. The Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care is the much larger Level 5 qualification aimed at registered managers, while the Digital Leadership Award is a smaller, more specific Level 5 award for senior staff introducing technology into care delivery, not a substitute for the full leadership diploma.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the Level 2 and Level 3 diplomas?

Both are frontline care qualifications specified by Skills for Care, but the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care covers more ground, with more credits and guided learning hours, and is aimed at more experienced care workers or those taking on more responsibility. The Level 2 Diploma in Care is the more accessible starting point.

Is the Level 5 Leadership and Management diploma legally required to become a CQC registered manager?

Not quite as strictly as that. CQC's own legal basis for registered managers, Regulation 5 of the Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009, requires a "fit and proper person" with suitable qualifications, competence, skills and experience, but doesn't name this specific diploma as a mandatory qualification by law. In practice, it's the qualification Skills for Care specifies and funds for the role, it's what CQC looks for when assessing a registered manager, and it's a mandatory component of the Level 5 Leader in Adult Care Apprenticeship, so it's the expected standard even though it isn't named in legislation the way the equivalent residential childcare qualification is.

What's the Digital Leadership Award, and does it replace the Leadership and Management diploma?

No, it's a separate, much smaller Level 5 award focused specifically on leading the use of technology in care delivery, rather than management and leadership generally. It also requires you to already hold a minimum Level 3 qualification and be working at a senior level, so it's an add-on for someone already leading, not a starting point or a replacement for the full Leadership and Management diploma.

Is the Digital Leadership Award eligible for funding?

Yes, it's eligible for funding through the Learning and Development Support Scheme (LDSS), administered by the Department of Health and Social Care. Funding scheme rules can change, so it's worth confirming current eligibility with us before you enrol.

Which awarding body issues these qualifications?

The Digital Leadership Award is issued by NOCN. We also hold centre approval with Innovate Awarding and Biiab under our brand, Focus and Achieve (FAA). Contact us if you need to know exactly which body a specific qualification sits under.