Qualifications that open doors in care

Adult care

Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care (RQF)

For people already working in adult care who want to take on more responsibility, such as becoming a lead adult care worker or senior carer.

The diploma builds your knowledge, skills and confidence across the core areas of adult social care, including safeguarding, person-centred practice, communication, mental capacity, health and safety, and infection prevention. It was developed with Skills for Care and links to the Lead Adult Care Worker apprenticeship standard.

Who it's for

You'll need to be working in a health or social care setting, paid or voluntary, because part of the assessment happens at work. There are no formal entry requirements. Level 2 literacy and numeracy (or equivalent) is recommended, and the minimum age is 16.

How you're assessed

You'll build a portfolio of evidence, including written work, questions and workbooks. An assessor will also observe you doing your job in real work situations. There are no exams.

Mandatory units (all 14 required)

1. Agreed Ways of Working in Care Settings
2. Safeguarding in Care Settings
3. Mental Capacity and Restrictive Practice in Care Settings
4. Duty of Care in Care Settings
5. Effective Communication in Care Settings
6. Handling Information in Care Settings
7. Person-Centred Practice in Care Settings
8. Importance of Choice and Independence in Care Settings
9. Importance of Health and Wellbeing
10. Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Human Rights in Care Settings
11. Health and Safety in Care Settings
12. Infection Prevention and Control in Care Settings
13. The Importance of Continuous Development
14. The Importance of Personal Wellbeing

Optional units (choose 19 credits)

• Choose optional units that match your role. Examples include dementia care, supporting autistic people, acquired brain injury, digital skills for care settings, care of older people, and pain management. We'll help you choose the right combination.

Where it can lead

It can lead to roles such as care home worker or lead adult care worker, or on to the Level 4 Diploma in Adult Care, the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Adult Care, or a Lead Adult Care apprenticeship.

Health and social care

Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Dignity and Safeguarding in Adult Health and Social Care (RQF)

A knowledge-based certificate for anyone starting out in care, or anyone who wants a solid grounding in treating people with dignity and keeping them safe.

You'll learn how to recognise and respond to abuse and neglect, what dignity means in everyday care, your duty of care, and how to handle dilemmas, complaints and concerns. You don't need to be working in care, because there's no workplace assessment. That makes it a good first step before a job in care or before the Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care.

Who it's for

There are no formal entry requirements. Level 1 literacy and numeracy (or equivalent) is recommended, and the minimum age is 16.

How you're assessed

You'll complete written assignments, questions and workbooks. There are no exams and no grades: you pass once you've met every learning outcome.

Course structure (4 units)

1. Understand Safeguarding in Adult Health and Social Care
2. Principles of Dignity in Adult Health and Social Care Practice
3. Understand Duty of Care in Adult Health and Social Care
4. Understand Dilemmas and Public Concerns in Adult Health and Social Care

Where it can lead

It can lead on to the Level 2 or Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (Adults), the Level 2 Award in Awareness of Dementia, the Level 2 Certificate in Awareness of Mental Health Problems, or the Level 3 Certificate in the Principles of End of Life Care.

Early years

Level 3 Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector (Early Years Educator)

For working with children from birth to five, with the knowledge and skills you need to be counted in staff-to-child ratios.

This diploma gives you the knowledge, skills and understanding to work in early years settings. You'll study holistic child development, safeguarding and welfare, supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), curriculum planning, assessment, and working in partnership with parents and other professionals.

Course structure (10 units)

1. Introduction to the Role of the Early Years Educator
2. Holistic Child Development
3. Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
4. Effective Communication in an Early Years Setting
5. Safeguarding and Welfare Requirements
6. Health, Wellbeing and Safety
7. Promoting an Effective Early Years Curriculum
8. Assessment of Children's Learning and Development
9. Understanding Play for Learning and Holistic Development
10. Partnership Working

Where it can lead

It can lead to work in nurseries, pre-schools, childcare centres and primary school reception classes, or on to the Level 3 Extended Diploma for Working in the Early Years Sector or the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare.

Early years

Level 2 Diploma for the Early Years Practitioner

A first step into childcare, for working with children from birth to seven under supervision.

This diploma covers child development, safeguarding, health and safety, equality and inclusive practice, and how to support children's learning, development and wellbeing within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). You'll also learn practical skills: promoting positive behaviour, supporting children with SEND, care routines, and planning activities and purposeful play.

Course structure (14 units)

1. Roles and Responsibilities of the Early Years Practitioner
2. Health and Safety of Babies and Young Children in the Early Years
3. Equality, Diversity and Inclusive Practice in Early Years Settings
4. Safeguarding, Protection and Welfare of Babies and Young Children
5. Understand How to Support Children's Development
6. Support Care Routines for Babies and Young Children
7. Support the Planning and Delivery of Activities, Purposeful Play and Educational Programmes
8. Promote Play in an Early Years Setting
9. Support Wellbeing of Babies and Young Children for Healthy Lifestyles
10. Support Babies and Young Children to be Physically Active
11. Support the Needs of Babies and Young Children with SEND
12. Promote Positive Behaviour in Early Years Settings
13. Partnership Working in the Early Years
14. Support the Needs of the Child in Preparing for School

Where it can lead

It can lead to roles such as early years practitioner, nursery assistant, pre-school practitioner or classroom assistant, or on to the Level 3 Early Years Educator diploma above, or the Level 4 Certificate for Higher Level Teaching Assistants.